his illustrated advertisement shows a winter night scene in a rural setting. A twin-engine propeller airliner flies across a dark, star-filled sky, its forward light shining brightly like a star. Below, a snow-covered farmhouse and barn sit among bare trees, with warm yellow light glowing from the windows. Snow blankets the ground and a curved set of tracks leads toward the house. The lower portion of the advertisement contains the headline “Star in the Night” in large script lettering, followed by a block of printed text describing air travel’s role in connecting people. It is credited to the Air Transport Association of America, Washington, D.C., and includes the slogan “Fly the Planes That Fly the U.S. Flag – The Airlines of the United States.”
A group of cattle, primarily brown with one black cow, stand closely together in a line while grazing on a grassy field. The scene is set in a rural landscape, with the cattle facing away from the camera, revealing their backs and hindquarters. The field is bordered by a mix of trees and shrubs, some with autumnal foliage, and a backdrop of rolling hills or wooded area in the distance. The overall atmosphere is calm and pastoral, with natural lighting suggesting late afternoon.
A whimsical painting of a gray donkey lounging on a plush red velvet sofa beside a small wooden table holding a wedge of cheese, green grapes, a bottle of wine, and a glass of red wine, creating a cozy happy-hour scene in a softly textured, light-colored room. Art by Lisa S Baker.
A delightful close-up of a goat standing on a paved surface. The goat has a thick, patchy coat of grey and white fur, and a pair of curved horns. Its ears are alert and each bear a small identification tag. Its face is endearing and expressive, with dark markings around its mouth, giving it the appearance of a mischievous, goofy grin. The goat’s dark legs contrast with its lighter body, and its inquisitive expression adds to its charm. In the background, a rustic wooden fence and scattered hay create a warm, pastoral setting.
We took the neighbours' dogs for their morning walk today. They are a funny bunch. Only 2 dogs want the stick, the rest are trying to watch each other. #FarmLife#WorkingDogs
A Visit to the Open-Air Museum Niedersulz, Austria – Part II
Walking through Niedersulz feels like traveling back in time. The museum brings together historical buildings from across the Weinviertel — from humble cottagers’ homes to large farmsteads, complete with animals you can pet, old workshops (including a mother-of-pearl turnery), a traditional schoolhouse, and wine press houses. Each corner tells a story of everyday life and craftsmanship in rural Austria.
Once again, I learned a lot — not only about history but also about working with my Canon AE-1. Even in these photos, there are still many small details I could improve, but that’s part of the process — and part of the joy of learning analog photography.
The photograph shows the exterior of a historic rural house from the Weinviertel region, preserved in the open-air museum Niedersulz. The building has a long whitewashed façade with thick walls and a roof made of small overlapping clay tiles. Arched openings supported by sturdy columns form a shaded corridor along the front. Sunlight filters through surrounding trees, casting soft shadows on the grass and walls. This architecture, simple yet elegant, represents typical rural construction from the 19th century in Lower Austria, where functionality and craftsmanship went hand in hand.
Wall mounted canvas print of Rural Life An Artist View Of The World by Joan Stratton - paintingsbyjoan.com in a bedroom setting.
A new day dawns with a warning red sky, the kind that stirs old farmer wisdom and sets the birds fluttering from their roosts. The windmill hums to life as the breeze strengthens, its blades catching the first golden light as colour spills across the land like a waking dream.
This is rural life through my artist’s eye - Life on the land, always full of colour, not quiet or quaint, but bold, whimsical, and full of movement.
The garden bursts in blues, purples, and reds, tangled with joy and rhythm. Mechanical meets magical in this expressive landscape, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the sunrise feels like a celebration.
I created this piece using my Ether Art technique — hand-drawn digitally from a blank canvas, blending abstract shapes with vibrant colour and storytelling.
Rural Life An Artist View Of The World is perfect for lovers of countryside charm, surreal landscapes, and joyful design. Available across fine art prints, canvases, puzzles, apparel, and home décor.
Explore more expressive artworks of Farm life in my gallery at;
https://joan-stratton.pixels.com/collections/farm+life
We've had a bumper season for bunnies here! There is so much to eat in our pastures that they do not bother my garden (armadillos are a different matter!) I am forever inspired by nature around me. :)
🌅 Dusk settles, the windmill watches.
This piece captures that fleeting moment when the sun dips low and the countryside falls into shadow — birds in flight, foliage fading, and the sky ablaze with red.
Dusk At The Windmill by Joan Stratton - paintingsbyjoan.com
A quiet windmill silhouetted at sunset — Dusk At The Windmill captures the hush of country life as day turns to night.
The sun dips low, casting its final fiery glow across the sky — and the old windmill stands tall, silhouetted against the red horizon like a quiet sentinel of the land. Birds scatter across the fading light, and the foliage below sinks into shadow. It’s that magical moment when day exhales into night, and the countryside holds its breath.
This piece was hand-drawn-painted digitally using my Ether Art technique — starting from a blank canvas and layering colour, texture, and emotion just as I would with traditional media. The result is a serene yet dramatic landscape that captures the rhythm of rural life and the beauty of stillness inspired by country life in Victoria and the tropics of Far North Queensland.
Dusk At The Windmill is perfect for lovers of country landscapes, sunset silhouettes, and expressive nature scenes. Whether displayed in a farmhouse, studio, or meditation space, it brings warmth, nostalgia, and quiet strength to any room.
Available across prints, canvases, apparel, and home décor. Explore more expressive landscapes and rural-inspired art in my Farm Life Collection at https://joan-stratton.pixels.com/collections/farm+life
Windmill at Sunset by Joan Stratton - paintingsbyjoan.com
The sun sinks low, casting a fiery glow across the horizon as birds scatter and the windmill stands tall in silhouette — a quiet witness to the rhythm of rural life, in country Victoria, Australia. I loved capturing this moment of stillness and warmth, where the sky turns red and the land exhales into evening.
Created using my Ether Art technique — hand-drawn digitally from a blank canvas — this piece blends realism with expressive colour and light. The large sun, low in the sky, adds drama and serenity all at once.
Windmill At Sunset is perfect for lovers of rural landscapes, sunset silhouettes, and peaceful farm scenes. Whether displayed in a country home, modern studio, or meditation space, it brings a sense of calm and connection to nature.
Available across fine art prints, canvases, apparel, and home décor. Explore more expressive sunset-inspired pieces in my Sunrise Sunset Gallery at;
https://joan-stratton.pixels.com/collections/sunrise+sunsets