05/28/2018
Well said!!
***SUBJECT SUNDAY***
Why is it being listed on Monday? Well, it's simply because I just announced it yesterday & needed time to write the post.
So, I get the question all the time. And I'm sure if you are a furniture artist you do too! DON'T PAINT THAT, IT'S AN ANTIQUE! YOU'LL RUIN IT!!!
Let's examine that, shall we?
First & foremost, let's look at what an antique is. When we speak about furniture, the piece must be over 100 years old to qualify. So, with that in mind, most pieces I 'paint' (and I use that word lightly, I'll explain that in a bit), are from the 30's roughly, with some newer & some older. So technically, I'm not painting antiques; most of them are 'vintage' pieces!
Well, with that off the table, let's look at the real antiques and their value, as i have painted a few. 100 years ago, furniture was already mass produced. So to have a piece, that's actually valuable, it has to be a rare piece AND it has to be in excellent condition. Let's face it, there are few and far in between that are actually being sold. And even if so, they are not in my price range. After all, remember, I'm an artist, not a brain surgeon, lol! So, the pieces that are considered antique by definition that I get my hands on, are typically in poor condition. And when I say POOR, I mean they're rough, falling apart, not well taken care off, stored in a shed for 30-50 years! Now I get back to me painting them! Yes, I do PAINT them, but first they need to be scrubbed, stripped, sanded, glued, repaired...... you name it! They're TONS of work just to be able to be saved from a sure death at the dump!!!
Now, let's look at value! The value is in the eye of the beholder. What 'value' does it have, if you store it in a shed, the garage or even a storage unit, because it doesn't fit the decor of your home? Your Grandma that bought it, valued it, and she left it to you. It has sentimental value, but may still be tucked away. So, do you think grandma would rather you store it out of site, or beautifully displayed in your home, even if that means REFINISHING it, although it's done with paint?
Stain or paint are just 2 different finishing methods! Both are reversible if done professionally!!!
Let's say 30 or 50 years from now the BIG THING is stained furniture again. You left this PAINTED piece to your kids and they want it stained. Guess what, it CAN be restained!!! It's JUST a different finish......
Now ponder on that for a minute! And then let me know what your thoughts on this subject matter are. As mentioned, you don't have to agree with me, but no bashing on my opinion, or the ones of others commenting. Let's "PLAY" fair!