In November 1999 we featured the brand new Gambrel Mini-Barn Storage Shed of Patrick Ching. Patrick, a renown Hawaiian wildlife artist and, believe it or not, rodeo bull rider, owns "Naturally Hawaiian Gallery & Gifts" right here in sleepy little Waimanalo, Hawaii, also home of BarnPlans, Inc.

Patrick built the "Mini-Barn" out behind his gallery to serve as a new personal art studio in which to create the beautiful wildlife paintings for which he is famous. The only changes Patrick made to the original plans was to raise the wall height to 7' to accomodate a full size entry door and set the whole thing off the ground on pier blocks.... let's take a look at the project!!

Saturday 7 AM: Having already completed the foundation/floor the afternoon before (background), Patrick's friend Dennis Ribordy surveys the situation, getting the materials ready to begin framing the walls.

By 10 AM the back and side walls have already been framed and stood up in place. Keith (smiling at the camera) helped out by holding up the walls while they were being nailed together, as well as cooking up a great Hawaiian Barbeque for everybody when the day was done!

"The Crew".... by 3 PM we had the trusses assembled and set!! With Hoku Beltz (bottom left), who also works at Patrick's gallery, cutting the 2 X 4 truss members and friend Chuck McKeand (bottom right) cutting the plywood gussets, yours truly (top left) and Dennis Ribordy (top right) built the trusses and hoisted them aloft. My "on the job consultant" status quickly turned into "Hey you.... grab a hammer!!!

Overworked and underpaid, the crew went home.... (after the barbeque!!) leaving Patrick to install the windows and put up the siding and roof sheeting the next day.... here he's masking off the windows in preparation to prime and paint.

The following weekend Patrick installed a great looking entry door, primed and painted the whole thing and was able to start on the roof.

A few extra doo-dads.... painting the inside and trimming everything out, including vinyl windows, steel cased door, roofing and paint, and the Mini-Barn art studio is finished in three weekends for a total materials cost of $1250.... Yep!!

Patrick immediately moved in, mounted his easel and began work on the cover painting for his latest book, "Honu, Sea Turtles of Hawaii", which will become available at all major book sellers, world wide.

Let's not forget Patrick's owner, Kai'ko!! Mascot, surf dog and good buddy!! And certainly don't forget to visit Patrick's website at http://www.naturallyhawaiian.com.