Frank Barnes was a ship painter, working in oils. He began life as a sailor, then in about 1895 became an itinerant shepherd, based at Riddiford's station, Orongorongo, where the third of his huts, 'Barney's whare' still stands. (Two previous huts burned down). He sold his paintings in bars in the Hutt Valley and Wellington. His paintings bear dates between 1899 and 1938. He died of pneumonia and was buried at Taita Cemetery.