The Tourists -- A New Painting

Ok... Here is another little break from junk. I have been trying to paint more, recently. I am still feeling stuck. I keep comparing my work to other people's work. Nothing good is coming of that, by the way.

Here is a painting that I finished the other night:

I'm calling it The Tourists. I'm not sure how I feel about it. The white figures just kind of appeared on their own. That hasn't happened to me in while, where images just appear in an abstract painting.

Oh well, I guess I will just keep painting and try to work through the gremlins!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 124

Westbend Penguin

This is a Westbend Penguin, hot & cold server. I think it's basically an ice bucket. It's just adorab;e to me! Oh... From what I've read, it has bakelite handles.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 123

Manning Bowman Bowl with Metal Base

This is a brown, stoneware bowl that rests on a metal base. Both pieces are marked Manning Bowman.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 122

Georges Briard Canister Set

I love love love these. BUT... They don't really fit into my kitchen, it's not retro enough. This is a set of 4 enamelware canisters by Georges Briard. There is one for flour, one for sugar, one for tea, and one for coffee. They are in amazing shape, given their age too!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 121

Royal Haeger Decorative Pitcher

This is a decorative pitcher or vase by Haeger USA. It has a white, orange peel finish on the outside and green on the inside.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 120

Cata - Rack 

Search for Cata-Rack in EBay and you get all sorts of weird things. This thing is a vintage rack for magazine and books. I think the industrial look is great!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 119

Decorative Blue & Red Glass Bowl/Dish

I'm not sure if this is a dish or a bowl. I guess it could be used as an ashtray, if you're into that kind of thing. I think I would put candy in it!

365 days Of Junk - Day 118

Esco Products Love Faces Statue/Figurine

I really like this piece! I liked it as soon as I saw it. I found it in a thrift store that I don't routinely shop in. It's good to mix it up sometimes (just a little picker advice)! Anyway, this piece is marked Esco Products 1961 by Brower. It is a statue or figurine of male & female faces, with very loving expressions. It probably stands about a foot high. I love the curvy lines in this piece.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 117

Leaf Dish or Bowl

I think this is made by Hull, but it's not marked Hull (just Oven proof USA). It is a leaf shaped dish or bowl. It has 3 sections: a large one in the center and 2 smaller ones on the top sides. It is marked "Oven Proof" so you could use it to serve just about anything.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 116

Colorful Bottles

Here is a blue bottle and a green bottle. I like that they look vintage, but I really have no idea how old they are. They also have a great color and size. They were a steal at less than $2 each!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 115

Piggy Bank

I LOVE PIGS! I would get a pet pig, if Alex wouldn't throw me out of the house. But... This is just a cute little piggy bank. I like that it has a retro look to it. Although, I'm not sure how old it really is. It's also a nice size. You can't tell from the picture, but it's actually about a foot long. Oh... There is a slot in the top of his/her back to put the money it, but no way to get the money out. Why is that? Why would you have to break your piggy bank to get the money out?

365 Days Of Junk - Day 114

Ceramic Swami Head

Creepy or cool????? In guess this is a Swami head. I'm not really sure what to call him, but I think he's cool. He looks bigger in the picture than her actually is. This piece is only about 8 inches tall

365 Days Of Junk - Day 113

Wood Framed Clock

This is a handmade clock with a wood frame and little pedestal base. I like the simple clean lines. It looks mid century modern to me.  Oh... It looks larger in the photo than it is, it's probably 10 in x 8 in.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 112

Pair Of Gold Birds

So... These are birds. They are made out of some kind of plastic/resin material and are painted gold (or covered in some kind of gold leaf). They are approximately a foot long/tall. I guess maybe they are supposed to be peacocks, but the tales are not fanned out. I think they are so kitschy that they are kinda cool.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 111

Vintage Metal Ride On Toy

This is an old metal ride on toy with rubber wheels. I love the simple industrial look of it! I brought this thing home, ans Sophie LOVED to ride on it (which is so strange considering she has multiple ride on toys). I have no idea what made this one sooooo appealing to her.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 110

Brass & Glass Lantern

This is a lantern of some sort. I am pretty sure that it's made of brass. I think it has some age to it, but I'm not at all sure how old it is. Am I being specific enough????? Anyways, there are no markings on it, either. It looks like it may have come off of a boat or something. I think it would look nice as a decorative accessory. I guess it could also hold a candle.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 109

Wood Statue of Man & Woman Kissing

I'm not really sure what to call this piece... A statue? A totem? Anyway, this is a a statue (or something like it) carved out of wood. It depicts and man and a woman kissing. It's difficult to tell from the photo, but it's approximately 4 ft tall. And HEAVY! I like the spiral thingy that goes around the bottom. Oh... I have no idea who created it. There is no mark or signature on it. Pretty cool for a thrift store find, right?

365 Days Of Junk = Day 108

Vintage Corning Ware Mugs

Here is a set of 4 vintage corning ware mugs. It's tough to find a set of matching vintage plates or cups, because we all know how easy it is to break them. So, 4 or more of the same can be a find. The thing that I love about these is the color. For me, these mugs are the most perfect shade of aqua!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 107

Wood Bird Statue

What kind of bird is this supposed to be? A pheasant? I'm not sure, other than it's a momma bird with 2 baby birds. I think the folk artsy feel of this piece is just charming. 

365 Days Of Junk - Day 106

Vintage Replogle Globe

I love globes! I must, because I have purchased 3 of them within the last 2 weeks. This is the simplest of the three, but I love it's timeworn look.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 105

Vintage Spice Cabinet

This is a wooden spice cabinet, with 2 small drawers at the bottom. I love that is has the bottles still in it, and that they look kind of like old apothecary bottles. 

365 Days Of Junk - Day 104

Small Beaded Lamp with Matching Shade

Lamps are super easy to find, in thrift stores. Good lamps with the original shades, are not so easy to find in thrift stores. This lamp is made of beads on a metal frame, with a matching beaded shade. The best thing about it was the price. It was priced under $5!

365 Days Of Junk - Day 103

Villeroy & Boch Casa Azul Sugar Bowl

As far as china goes, Villeroy & Boch makes some of my favs. I found this little sugar bowl and just could not resist. It was the only piece of the pattern that they had. I love blue and white, in general. I think this piece would make a lovely trinket box to hold small items.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 102

The Milk Protector

This is a green glass milk bottle. It reads "Absolutely Pure Milk", in the middle. The bottom reads "The Milk Protector". I think I love it for the green color.

365 Days Of Junk - Day 101

Decorative Finial 

This thing is a decorative finial, on a wooden base. It is quite tall. The blue thing in the photo is a flashlight, for scale. I only paid a few dollars for it, but I think it;s a nice decorative accessory.