2026 Barrels
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Barrel #1 - Peace, Love & Soul
Artist: Carmel High School Art Honor Society # of years participating in Rain on Main: 9 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? The 1960s-1970s vibes, music and art What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Adding small natural details and hints of butterfly wings, flower petals and spirals. This barrel is sponsored by Support CCS. |
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Barrel #2 - Sun-Kissed Petals
Artist: Saoirse Collins | Guerin High School # of years participating in Rain on Main: 9 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? I was inspired by bright spring flowers, sunny days, and the beauty of nature. I wanted to create a cheerful design that would bring color and happiness to the community. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? My favorite part was painting the flowers and blending the soft pastel background colors. It was fun watching the design come together. This barrel is sponsored by Jessica Irvine. |
There is no barrel #3 in 2026.
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Barrel #4 - Summer at the Villa
Artist: Lynn Thompson # of years participating in Rain on Main: 3 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? My inspiration for painting the Italian villa and lavender fields comes from a deep appreciation for nature and scenic landscapes, specifically drawing from the warmth and rustic charm of Tuscany. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? As an artist, my work naturally leans into Contemporary Impressionism and Neo-Fauvism. Instead of just capturing a realistic, photographic view of a Tuscan landscape, my inspiration for this subject is rooted in capturing the sensory experience and emotional impact of it—using heavy impasto textures and bold, high-contrast colors to bring the vibrant purple fields and sun-baked stone villas to life. This barrel is sponsored by The Olive Mill. |
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Barrel #5 - Great West
Artist: Randall Hatheway # of years participating in Rain on Main: 2 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? A picture received from a friend's photography work. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Adding the background to the main focus of the barrel. This barrel is sponsored by A Yarn Market. |
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Barrel #6 - Safe Harbor
Artist: Walt Thacker # of years participating in Rain on Main: 6 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? Coastal Village fits the rain barrel. A few recognizable characters were put into the artwork. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Painting a scene on the barrel is the challenge. This barrel is sponsored by Ranj Puthran Allstate Insurance Agency. |
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Barrel #7 - Water Music
Artist: Carolyn Willard # of years participating in Rain on Main: 5 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? Handel’s Water Music. This King George commissioned Handel to write music to be played as he and his entourage cruised the river Thames from the palace to a lavish banquet and back again. This music remains popular for celebrations. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Recreating a baroque scene from the very few paintings and drawings commemorating the moment, and then fancifully adding the instruments and the musical score (which is the hornpipe). This barrel is sponsored by Carmel Symphony Orchestra. |
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Barrel #8 - Global Gastronomy
Artist: Te'Arrow Hoggard # of years participating in Rain on Main: 1 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? My inspiration came from my love of cooking cuisines from different cultures and combining it with art. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Seeing the painting come together with all the different cuisines. This barrel is sponsored by Monterey Cuisine. |
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Barrel #9 - Wild and Free
Artist: Regina Bunting # of years participating in Rain on Main: 1 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? My love for flowers. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? The 3 dimensional aspect of it. This barrel is sponsored by Bazbeaux Pizza. |
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Barrel #10 - Hoosier Highlights
Artist: Becky Deischer # of years participating in Rain on Main: 1 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? My inspiration came from the reusable water bottles people decorate with stickers from places they've visited and experiences they've enjoyed. I transformed the rain barrel into a giant water bottle covered with hand-painted "stickers" celebrating Indiana What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Creating the different "sticker" designs. This barrel is sponsored by Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream. |
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Barrel #11 - Sunset Between the Cliffs
Artist: Valerie Bielski # of years participating in Rain on Main: 9 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? I was inspired by the way sunlight glistens off of surfaces, especially water. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? My favorite part of painting the barrel is choosing which colors to use and then challenging my skills as an artist to translate my vision on to a rounded, non-flat surface. This barrel is sponsored by Calico Counseling. |
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Barrel #12 - Vidrieras
Artist: Holly Nelsen # of years participating in Rain on Main: 5 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? We visited Barcelona in November and went to see La Sagrada Família and I was inspired by the stained glass inside Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? My favorite part of painting my barrel was adding the finishing touches and seeing it all come together. This barrel is sponsored by Fancy Fortune Cookies. |
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Barrel #13 - Ancient Guardian
Artist: Ya-elle Halevi # of years participating in Rain on Main: 8 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? The 2026 barrel was inspired by my trip to the Galápagos Islands, a place unlike anywhere else I’ve visited. The islands are known for their incredible wildlife, including the colorful land iguana featured here. I was drawn to its unique look, quiet confi What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? My favorite part was watching the iguana slowly emerge from the barrel. With every layer of paint, it seemed to develop more character and personality, making the whole process both fun and rewarding. This barrel is sponsored by Hot Water Pros. |
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Barrel #14 - Indiana in Bloom
Artist: Jenell Fairman # of years participating in Rain on Main: 1 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? The primary inspiration was to provide an uplifting spring garden, to remind the viewer that there are brighter days ahead. Rainy days can be gloomy and dark. A vessel that holds water (a primary source of life) can also be an instrument of hope through t What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? The scale and shape of this piece was calling for a more playful approach to art. The first few layers were all painted by hand. No brushes, just gloved hands with fistfuls of paint. This barrel is sponsored by Capitol Construction Services. |
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Barrel #15 - Tribute
Artist: Aimee Bruno # of years participating in Rain on Main: 10 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? Pride in my Puerto Rican culture was my inspiration. The music, the history, nature and specific icons are depicted including the flag. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? Every single aspect was my favorite because of the theme. Learning what all the petroglyphs represented and seeing it all come together was a love song for my culture. This barrel is sponsored by Carmel Clay Public Library Foundation. |
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Barrel #16 - Dream Time
Artist: Carolyn Martens # of years participating in Rain on Main: 10 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? Twilight is my favorite time when the fireflies come out and the garden looks a little mysterious. I was inspired by Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and Henri Rousseau’s painting “The Dream” from 1910. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? My favorite part was knowing this is my 10th consecutive rain barrel for Rain on Main! I love being a part of this and seeing all the festive barrels lining Main Street every August. This barrel is sponsored by Ginger Root Plant Co. |
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Barrel #17 - Lurking
Artist: Chelsea Primason # of years participating in Rain on Main: 8 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? This year my barrel is covered in poisonous or harmful plants and insects. It showcases some of the beautiful, but also potentially dangerous, wildlife that you might find lurking in Indiana’s natural environment. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? I really enjoyed adding the fine details to the insects included on this barrel. However, I must admit that the process of drawing them, particularly at a larger scale, was somewhat unsettling. This barrel is sponsored by Hotel Carmichael. |
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Barrel #18 - Safety
Artist: Corinne Connerton # of years participating in Rain on Main: 2 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? The feeling of safety that quilts, food and shelter can invoke. The designs used on the underground railroad (9 patch - safe house, log cabin - safe house, and stars - follow the north star) Also using patriotic colors for America's 250. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? I enjoyed painting the details of the barn and the quilts. I love seeing people reactions to my paintings. This barrel is sponsored by Financial Enhancement Group. |
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Barrel #19 - View from the Hammock
Artist: Talia Ariens # of years participating in Rain on Main: 3 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? My inspiration came from a moment I spent laying under a tree on a breezy day catching some shade. It reminded me of the times I would relax with my sisters as kids on the hammock in the backyard of our childhood home. The nostalgia soaked in as I observe What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? My favorite part was adding the final long reaching rays in the sunbeam and putting the shimmering top coat over the white. I love the subtle effect it has in the sun. This barrel is sponsored by Discover White River. |
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Barrel #20 - Party of Four
Artist: Shelby Hobbs # of years participating in Rain on Main: 3 What was your inspiration for your barrel art? My inspiration for my barrel was definitely my love for fantasy and Dungeons and Dragons. I also wanted to include some animals that were local to Indiana. What was your favorite part of painting your barrel? I loved seeing all of the stone work come together! This barrel is sponsored by Club Canine. |
