FARMERS' UNION MARKETPLACE

(Click on image to see larger view)

The Farmer's Union Marketplace is located in downtown Eugene, OR just across the street from the county jail on 5th Street. It began it's life back in 1923 as the Lane County Farmers' Union Cooperative. The purpose was to process grain in it's wooden structure. The farm families built it themselves, as they would have their barns or out-buildings, with used materials and never taking out a loan to do it. They added two main additions to the building in 1932 and 1940. It has been used to process grain and sell farm supplies for over 65 years and, although the grain doesn't rumble through the chutes anymore, it hasn't changed much. It is currently the site of a number of shops including Down to Earth and Paul's Bike Shop.

I took the picture for this painting from the south side of the building looking up at what appears to be a grain hopper. The sun was coming from the left casting nice shadows.

The painting is 10.75" x 13.75" 140 lb cold press watercolor paper.