NY
Times
Published: July 22, 2006
LENHARTSVILLE, Pa., July 15 Eric A. Claypoole chases
ghosts, and when he catches them he paints them into life.
Hex signs on barns in Pennsylvania Dutch country are waning,
many abandoned long ago to time and weather, and now grown
pale.
Its how we take back tradition, Mr. Claypoole said,
recounting with boyish glee the one he spotted on the side
of a barn a couple of years back that turned out to be among
the oldest in the country.
More from NY Times
This is just one of the many articles written about Eric
Claypoole. He is carrying on a long family tradition.
Johnny Claypoole, his father, began painting hexsigns in
1962. Johnny was taught by the legendary Johnny Ott,
the self-proclaimed "Dr. of Hexology". Johnny's career
in painting hexsigns spanned nearly four decades. He
was featured on the Charles Kuralt "On the Road" program and
on the game show :What's my Line?". He was also a
regular on the Captain Noah children's program. Johnny
and Eric have been exhibiting their wares at the Kutztown
Folk Festival continually since 1962.
In this
video clip, Eric and Johnny are interviewed for a PBS
documentary, "Expressions of Common Hands", produced in
1998.
Shortly
before his father's death in 2004, Eric took over the family
business, including painting the traditional designs on
barns. He lectures on the history of barnstars and
hexsigns as well. Eric is one of the few remaining barnstar
painters in the country. Visit his
gallery of designs
to get a better view of this folk art tradition. If
you like you can contact Eric directly to own a piece of
authentic Americana.
Here are just a few of the barns
and other projects Eric has recently worked on, including a
200' "Crop Hex". We hope you enjoy...
NY
Times
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