Freesky Studios posted 10 photos.

2 days ago

Barn #16 Day 2: (I'm still behind)
Ahh... #Kansas . Love that #breeze , hate that #sun . #Painting a wall facing East means "wait till the afternoon" or "#create shade" I chose to wait since the #event was not till the evening and I was up till about 230AM painting the night before...so as the afternoon waned, a nice crowd of people began to trickle in and i soon realized that the murmur of #conversation behind me was actually quite a few folks gathered below my #scissorlift who also "found shade" and were chatting away. Among them included the Lt #Governor of Kansas, Tracey Mann, who I got to meet and really enjoyed talking with...good guy. You are in good hands, Kansas!
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Dinner was delicious (as always). I had my first #beef #shortribs and some #wheat germ kind of thing that was tremendous! I am honestly not fond of #couscous or #quinoa but I am always willing to try new #foods ... I am glad I did! #topnotch
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After dinner, I mulled around and chatted with folks again and got to meet a small #brood of little people that would have given Nanny McPhee a run for her money. Don't get me wrong, I loved them, but they held no fear of anything and were seasoned in working together like a crack team of spies in pulling tricks on people. They got me good and had me in stitches. #littleStinkers
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As the evening set and the crowd dissipated, @debbiel_b , the @brandthebarn crew, and remaining #friends gathered to #watchpaintdry , have a few drinks and tell stories which I found very entertaining. I still want to hear more "Debbie Stories" #toofunny
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Eventually the sun set and I tried to keep painting but could see flashes of #lightning all around and once the #thunder started to roll, I figured being 20' in the air on a metal lift painting a metal #barn was probably not the best place to be so I packed it up and called it a night...just in time. The area got a #gullywasher of a #storm that dumped a little over a half an inch of #rain within about 30 mins. #IBringTheRain ... on to Day 3!
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#brandthebarn #roadtrip #freeskystudios #CertifiedAngusBeef #farm #farmlife #ranch #ranchlife #barnart #barnpainting #signpainting #sign #makingfriends #angus #cattle @ White City, Kansas ... See MoreSee Less

Freesky Studios posted 7 photos.

3 days ago

Barn #16 Day 1: OK, I'm a little behind so I apologize...Last week I had the pleasure to travel to #rural White City, #Kansas and become part of the Blythe #family for a few days (which is exactly how it felt). I arrived onsite at the #barn and met up with Eric and his #twin brother, Tyler who (from what I could gather) are both in thier early 20's, single and disgustingly good looking, polite and well mannered. I sent photos to my 23 year old daughter who replied "Me likey!". For any inquiries please contact @debbiel_b
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After meeting these 2 awesome young men I got to meet this locations #dogsofinstagram , Rue, who has the coolest blue and brown eyes. Check her out...and yes, she is sweet and spoiled.
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Our wonderful host, Debbie Blythe met us at the barn as well where she and @bgwirtz14 went over the itinerary for the next few days while I worked on the #signpainting layout and prep work. Soon the rest of the @brandthebarn team arrived and Debbie had everyone over to her home and cooked us up some delicious, home cooked #burgers for dinner where we got to also meet her husband, Mr. Duane Blythe. Something special about a #homecookedmeal while you are on the road and even better when it's with such a welcoming and loving group of people.
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I could have hung out all night but I had my work ahead of me so we all headed back to the barn where I put on some tunes and set to work laying out and base #painting the barn. Everyone stayed for awhile enjoying the "moderately cool" night for awhile but soon let me do my thing getting this 15' tall #logo ready to for production the next day.
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#brandthebarn #roadtrip #freeskystudios #CertifiedAngusBeef #farm #farmlife #ranch #ranchlife @ White City, Kansas ... See MoreSee Less

Freesky Studios posted 9 photos.

1 week ago

Barn #15 Remainder of Day 2 & Day 3: (I'm a little behind here) So...final day at the Carrico homestead. Lovely day and lovely weather with lovely people. After 2 1/2 inches of rain, the lot I was in was pretty muddy so I did not get many guests besides the girls playing in the #barn and capturing all the little #kittens and putting them in a #Bunn #coffee box (which just happened to come from my #hometown of #SpringfieldIL ). Although I did suggest that they give the kittens away as a door prize, no one took me up on that offer. Not sure why...
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Lunch was phenomenal! Really well done #brisket, mac n cheese, salad, rolls ...it was so good! #IAmSpoiled I hung out for a bit and chatted with folks before getting back to work. Low and behold more rain started coming in so I packed it up for the evening and joined Matt and Brianna for dinner at The Machine Shed in #DesMoines which was like a Cracker Barrel on steroids. Really good food though!
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My final day was pretty relaxed; just painted and hung out with Ms. Ruth while @jenncarrico was off working and Mr. Jerry was out at a golf tourney. I finished up the #logo #painting in the late afternoon and quickly realized that the lift I had sitting in the pen for the past 3 days was not going to come out so easy. I guess a 2 ton lift plus 2 days of rain equals "I ain't moving". So...with a bit of help from Jennifer and @bgwirtz14 , some rocks, boards and shovels, we managed to find solid ground about a foot under the mud and slowly worked the beast out of its sticky grave. Yay us. The final product, a beautiful #CertifiedAngusBeef #branded barn ...and some major ruts in the #cattle pen.
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I gotta say, I loved my time with this family and my stay in Perry. They made me feel welcome and at home the minute I arrived and excited to come back and visit in the future. Thanks for being so awesome, Carrico Clan!
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@brandthebarn #angus #beef #travelblogger #barnart #farmlife #ranchlife #signpainting #freeskystudios #travel #iowalife @ Clarence, Iowa ... See MoreSee Less

Freesky Studios posted 7 photos.

2 weeks ago

Barn #15 Day 1 (and part of Day 2) A mere 3 hours west of Barn #14 lies Carrico Ranch, home of Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Ruth Carrico. A wonderful couple with a gracious spirit that made me feel at home the minute I arrived. I was also greeted by the effervescent Kobe, who could not get enough attention or love from anyone #dogsofinstagram . We became instant buds (no surprise there, right?). A little ways away hid the much more laid back kitty, Jelly and about 6 to 10 other #cats and #kittens who would have rather stayed in the shadows than come say "Hi" but popped out every now and then to see what was going on.
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I did my prep work but by 7pm with storms all around us, being next to a metal barn on a metal lift was probably not the best idea so the #CertifiedAngusBeef crew and I decided to get some dinner at Jethro's BBQ & Jambalaya @jethrosbbq in #DesMoines . OMG, that was good. #SoMuchFood I felt like I was going to pop.
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In pouring rain we headed back to the #farm only to be pelted by #hail just outside town (after we stopped @autozone to replace the wipers on @bgwirtz14 rental car...the were seriously worthless) so that was fun. Finally the rain let up after we reached the #ranch but it was late and so muddy, I decided to call it a night and just get up early to start working.
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Glad I did! I got back out to the barn around 430am in time to get all my prep work done and take a moment to watch the #sunrise over the #foggy #fields. These are the unexpected quiet moments where God just reveals Himself. I just find it #breathtaking and plan on more of this in upcoming jobs. #bliss
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Around 6am our main contact, Jennifer Carrico @jenncarrico and her daughter, Kassidy, came out to "work the cattle". I'd say I helped but I think I was more of a distraction than anything and the #cattle had no idea what to think of my lift in their pen. They did their work and took off to get cleaned up and ready for the celebration later that day leaving me to #paint and enjoy a quiet, breezy #Iowa morning.
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#brandthebarn #Angus #beef #ranchlife #farmlife @brandthebarn #freeskystudios @ Redfield, Iowa ... See MoreSee Less

Freesky Studios posted 9 photos.

2 weeks ago

The Hotel Pattee in Perry, #Iowa ...built in the 1920's, remodeled in the 1990's. The owner spent $12M redoing everything and theming every room. I stayed in the #Welsh room; very quaint and full of Welsh books, poetry and crafts. The #hotel also had a sweet bar, library, and bowling alley in the basement. The #artwork was on point and reallyadded to the #artdeco decor. Wish I could have stayed longer. Hope to come back soon! @ Hotel Pattee ... See MoreSee Less

Freesky Studios posted 8 photos.

2 weeks ago

Barn #14 Day 3: After a late night of #painting , I crawled back out to the Schroeder #farm and slowly got back to work. I really made a lot of progress the night before so I was able to take my time, talk to folks and enjoy the day.
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The Schroeder's had set up a tent, brought out chairs and grandma Schroeder even brought a book to read while watching me #paint (which made me chuckle).
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A great group of #family , friends and neighbors began trickling in including some quite interesting folks who (again) made me chuckle. Ohh... I love #Iowa !! 😆
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I spent lunch engaged in great conversation, learning more about the area, events, family, and... #cats , finishing my lunch playing a game of "flip the #cow " with this energetic young man who beat me soundly 5 to 1 (you play by pushing down the butt of a sponge cow, letting it go so it flips and if it lands on its feet, you get a point). #igotsmoked
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Belly full and humiliated by a child, I went back to where I belonged; up on a lift painting, finishing up the #barn painting.
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I had a great time spending these 3 days with the Schroeder family. Their hospitality never ceased and only made my love of Iowa only stronger. One more barn to do in Iowa...on the road again...
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#CertifiedAngusBeef #logo #barnart #brandthebarn #branding #signpainting #angus #beef #barn @brandthebarn @ Schroeder Angus ... See MoreSee Less

Freesky Studios posted 9 photos.

2 weeks ago

Barn #14 Day 1 (and 2) Ahhh... #Iowa. I do like it here. The people are down to earth, nice, hospitable, the roads are nice and clean, no garbage around, everything is well maintained...It's like the state that Illinois wants to be. Sad but true, #Illinois. Sorry.
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Anyway, day 1 and I arrive and am instantly greeted by the worlds friendliest cat. A little yellow furball who I quickly realized by petting her belly, had a couple babies hidden in the barn that wanted nothing to do with people. Just the opposite of their momma. Then came, Lucy (yes, Lucy) just like my sweet baby at home, who shared the same "love me!" attitude as my Lucy. (Will post a video later).
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Prep work went fine but day 2 brought the realization that my 45' lift had a hydraulic leak and had to be repaired...change of plans. No painting today. Day 2 now consisted of me napping and "the hard rock mechanic" telling me his life story while repairing said lift over the next 8 hours.
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Back in business, I got the yellow painted as quick as possible, a little miffed at the setback but made good again by a great home cooked meal and time visiting with the Schroeder family and then quickly back out to work the night shift till 2:30am so we could have something near completion during the Day 3 celebration. No sweat. Just another day in the life. 👍
#brandthebarn #barnart #signpainting #farmlife #ranchlife #HydraulicIssues #ItWillGetDone #freeskystudios @brandthebarn @ Schroeder Angus ... See MoreSee Less