UPcycled Table

I met Mary Jane over 2 years ago.

She came to one of my shows and picked up a few items.

She then called to have me help her with a project -

To redo an old chair that had been her mother's.

The idea was to cover the chair with images that reminded her of her mom as a tribute to her.

 

Several months ago,

she called again.

This time to do another chair - but for her sister.

The chair was just like the first one - it had come from the same set that had been their mothers.

We covered it with images that reminded her sister of her children.

 

Then came the table.

The table had been mom's as well.

However, it had been subjected to quite a bit of abuse and didn't look very nice.

The finish was peeling off.

There are a few cracks in the wood.

It had been left out on a porch and exposed to the elements a bit too long.

But it was moms and Mary Jane could not bear to see it tossed out with the trash.

 

So she brought it over.

She wanted it to have the look of the outdoors since it will eventually live in their mountain cabin.

Mountains, a river, fish, a cabin, ferns -

 all of the things that they love about their cabin were to be included on the table.

 

A little sanding.

A little priming.

A lot of color and . . .

Mary Jane's sad and unloved table has been given a new lease on life.

 

 

This little table is still a work in progress.

There is still some detailing left.

And of course - a good finish to protect it for years to come -

But I think I was able to capture the feel of the love and joy that they experience at their mountain retreat!

Adventure at Saturday Market...

Portland Saturday Market.

An icon of the city.

In operation since 1974, it is one of the largest tourist attractions in the state.

It is a non-stop party every weekend.

It is the source of many full-time artists income.

It is one of my favorite places to visit in my city.

I remember attending Saturday Market while I was still in High School.

A series of tents set up under the Burnside Bridge in old town.

Every tent housed an artist selling their creations. Every creation handmade.

I would spend hours watching and talking to the artists.

I took photograph after photograph - on my 35 mm SLR camera, shooting on real black and white film which I later developed in a dark room.

Many of those shots gained me great grades in my photography class.

I even took second place with one of pictures in a local photography contest - I didn't win anything except bragging rights. Which was enough for me.

I listened to all sorts of street musicians.

I watched jugglers and performers.

I remember watching one performer juggle and do a comic routine who later went on to star in a long-running television sitcom.

When I visited the market in my late teens, I felt like I was home.

Fast forward to 2012.

I went on a field trip to the Saturday Market recently.

It is now a favorite destination of my almost grown children.

It has expanded in recent years.

The artists have changed. The styles have changed - some.The location has even changed just a bit - it has moved across the street to accomodate more people. It's now on Sundays as well as Saturdays.

But it remains the same - the same energy, the same types of performers, the same yummy elephant ears and other delicacies, the same great handmade art, the same quirkiness and eccentricities, the same people watching that just can't be beat. . .

A perfect place to be inspired and after all these years -

I still feel as if I am "home".



Setting up where ever possible.



A little music



Found object art - do you just love the light fixture made out of the old bedsprings?



Walkers, riders . . .stay tuned to see how this photo of the bridge will be turned into something special soon.



Traditional old Portland light fixtures



Great architectural designs in old town

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If you come to visit Portland between now and Christmas Eve - be sure and include a trip to the market on your agenda. You'll be glad you did!