Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Another Weekend Project

Craig and I finally finished another little project this weekend -- refurbishing a couple of framed watercolors we brought home from his mother's. The watercolors were originally given to Craig's parents by a neighbor/artist back in the 1950's.

The neighbor, Jack Teeters, taught art at Dodge City community college. He later moved from Kansas to Medford, Oregon, where he was active in the Rogue River Valley art community. While the pieces probably have very little value other than the sentimental, we both think they're wonderful. And they mean a lot to Craig because they were the only artwork (other than the family Jesus) in his family house growing up.


High View, Jack Teeters, 1955

This piece cost me a chunk out of my toe! We decided to just take the frame apart and use paint to change the gray frame to a darker faux wood color. In the process of trying to get the glass back into the frame, I not only broke the glass, but slashed my big toe. Don't even ask! We were going to replace the original mat, but decided to leave it intact. My rule now when cleaning up old family pieces is to do (change) as little as possible. I made the mistake in my younger years of having an old rocker from my grandmother's house professionally refinished. A neighbor afterwards asked me if I'd purchased it at the Oak Barn. Tee hee. So the goal is NOT for family heirlooms to end up looking brand spankin' new!

You know me. I couldn't resist clicking on a few photo-editing buttons. Here's a watercolor of the watercolor!

And this is the finished product hung on the wall. (Sorry about the window reflection in the photo.)

Below is the smaller piece. This watercolor was more primitive and still had the edge where it was ripped out of the sketchbook. No title -- just signed Jack Teeters, 1949. I replaced the mat on this one and shabby chic-ed the old frame white to go with my decor. It's now hanging in the guest bathroom.

We had a busy weekend! I'm just glad the toe didn't need stitches! I'm such a klutz.

12 comments:

Bennie said...

Both of these watercolors are great. The barn is my favorite.

Ann said...

Great artwork--it's always wonderful to get something with a little family history...

Sue said...

They both ended up looking great (probably better than your toe)!

Vee said...

Beck, they look great. However, if the mats aren't acid-free, you really should replace them to preserve the art. Sorry about your toe!

Scottozoid said...

I love it when you "wildly enhance" art from other sources! For me it is usually commercial art from mass produced consumer goods that I like to tweak (Beck "freaks" and I "tweak" LOL)

I love the enhanced watercolors and I am very grateful you spared us a "wildly enhanced" version of your toe.

Life's a Beach! said...

LOL Scott! My toe is much better today. When I think how close I came to a self-amputation! It'd be a bitch trying to wear flip-flops without a big toe!

Thanks everyone! Bennie -- the barn is also my favorite! Ann, family stuff means more to me than anything I could purchase new. Sue, all my toes look awful right now. I need a pedicure (and a vacaaaa-tion). Vee -- I probably will replace the mat. For right now, I'm a little afraid to remove that glass from the frame again!

And Scott. I'm ready to learn some new tricks. I'll probably think about actually purchasing some photo-editing software.

Scottozoid said...

Beck I got three words: "scanner" and "Dover Publications"

The scanner part is sorta obvious. Dover Publications is the publishing house that sells all the great copyright free clip art books and now they also have books with all the art & designs on CD-ROM you can add stuff to your photos and designs.

Isla Deb said...

Gosh, Beck...it's hard to keep up with your great blogs! I get busy at work or home and next thing I know, several of your blogs have gone by! They're wonderful...and I love catching up.

Life's a Beach! said...

Deb, I accidentally did a double posting today. I forgot I had already scheduled one to automatically post! Oops!

zama07 said...

Wow, your work is just stunning! I get such a wave of calm with cheer and just the perfect state of being when I look at your pictures and watercolors. Just fabulous!

Life's a Beach! said...

Thank you zama!

Kay said...

These two watercolors were painted by my dad, Jack Teeters. I don't recall having seen them before, probably because I was pretty young when he painted them. It's great to see them, and I'm glad you're enjoying them.