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Tarnished and Treasured, 11"x14"

I am forever attracted to the worn, dented, tarnished, forgotten items. There is nothing better than holding something that shows it's age from use and handling. These make the best props for painting still life. They have more character, more depth than any new item ever could.

While shopping last year at a second hand store and finally deciding on a purchase I carried it up to the cashier. The item was old, it was banged up, it was tarnished. Upon handing it over to the woman behind the counter she must have felt a bit sorry for the item because she offered to shine it up a bit for me. I instantly said NO! I was attracted to it because of its weariness and did not want anyone to mess up the patina. I could see all sorts of colors in there and "shining it up" would have removed them forever. 

Not everyone understands this, but I do feel another still life painter would. I am looking forward to visiting those shops again ~ always on the hunt, always keeping an eye out for a possible treasure for the prop shelves. Until I can find my way to those places I have been browsing Etsy and Ebay. It isn't the same. I can't hold it in my hands, feel the weight of it, or search it's entire surface. But it has been a pretty good substitution for those past adventures. I have had some luck with on-line shopping for vintage items. 

I realize that the Pandemic has changed many things that affect us all far worse than not being able to stroll the Antique Mart. But I can dream. We will all come through this to the other side and I hope it will be a more patient, kind, safe world when we get there.

~Karen