It was early autumn in the vineyards of Southeast Missouri.  Most of the grapes had been harvested.  The vineyard seemed especially quiet, sort of like the calm after a storm.  The sky was bright and clear.  As is typical of late summer in Missouri, little rainfall had fallen recently, and the surrounding landscape was faded and parched. 

I was inspired to paint the rugged endurance of this neglected Chaumette vineyard outbouilding as the early morning sun was casting its daily warmth and glow upon it.