Mantua – Last fall, Cincinnati-based artist Robert Kroeger visited Mantua to scope out historic barns and meet the folks who lovingly maintain them. That and all visits around the state are made possible through the efforts of local barn scouts — people with an affinity for old barns, willing to talk with their neighbors and schedule visits. Thanks to his network of barn enthusiast, including Mantua resident Heather Paisley, Kroeger visited the area last fall to see some local gems during his quest to capture the likenesses of historic barns in every county in Ohio.
During that visit, Kroeger saw some unique structures, including a bank barn owned by Doreen Zitner, a carriage house owned by the Myers family, the Kropp barn (built in 1882), Olidine Alger’s barn (also built in 1882), the Piatt barn (circa 1875), and the Goodell farm. In addition, they stopped at the historic depot in Mantua. Kroeger returned to the area last week to see more barns, and to share his paintings and stories featured in his recently released book titled Historic Barns of Ohio during a special event at R44 Coffee.
A self-professed “missionary for old barns,” Kroeger sees his role as capturing a piece of early American history. He shared that this mission began on an anniversary weekend in 2012, when he and his wife Laura stayed at a bed and breakfast in Licking County. On their way to the B&B, they happened upon what Kroeger called a “gentle, gray giant”, an old gray barn with a sagging roof and warped siding. He noted, “I don’t know how or why, but the barn sent me a strong message: preserve my memory in a painting and an essay.”
Kroeger noted that by collecting the likeness and preserving the history of each structure, he hopes to share that history, as well as the ingenuity of the barn builders who made them, creating a lasting record as the barns succumb to weather and time.
Not formally trained as an artist, Kroeger learned from his father, a painter and commercial artist. He uses a palette knife in a technique called impasto painting, which results in a painting that can change as light bounces off the thick mounds and deep crevasses of paint. During this visit, Kroeger demonstrated his technique as he created a portrait of a “Land Girl”. The painting was inspired by Kroeger’s meeting with Mrs. Zitner last fall, where he learned of the diminutive woman’s service in the Woman’s Land Army during the Second World War. While Zitner served in England, according to Kroeger, young US women also served their country in this manner, in roles like raising crops or livestock, felling trees, or working in dairies like Zitner did. Zitner met her husband, an American, during the war; originally from Cleveland, they moved to Mantua to raise their family. Just 10 years ago, Zitner was recognized with a medal for her service to her country; she brought the medal when she attended last week’s event at Kroeger’s invitation.
In addition to the Land Girl painting he created that day, Kroeger brought over a dozen other paintings to auction off. The proceeds from the paintings will be distributed to local charities including the Mantua, Shalersville, and Freedom Historical Societies. Kroeger’s paintings feature frames made from siding of the historic structure featured therein.
Visit the Villager Emporium (8088 Main St, Garrettsville) in person or online to see the paintings and to place your bid. In addition, Kroeger’s paintings are featured on notecards, mugs, and other merchandise for sale, along with his book, with proceeds directed to local charities.
On September 29th, an exhibit of his work titled “A Tribute to Historic Barns of Ohio,” will be held at the historic Muhlhauser barn, a restored 1881 barn in West Chester Township near Cincinnati. At the event, the 88 paintings exhibited will be auctioned off for local nonprofits. As is his practice, he’s written an essay about each barn, sharing what he learned about the individuals who built them and the families who’ve been their caretakers. A book that includes the paintings and stories, published by Arcadia Press, will also be available for sale and signing during the event.
For more information about Kroeger’s work, or to read the stories of Ohio’s early barn-builders, visit: www.barnart.weebly.com.
Pictured – Robert Kroeger with former Land Girl Doreen Zitner, the inspiration for the painting.
