Monday, September 1, 2008

Hometown America Folk Art Painting & Another Junk Find

I spent the last two weeks painting this new piece of Americana and had so much fun with all the little details. Sometimes it's hard to know when to stop. I listed this on eBay last night and it ends on Sunday, September 7th.
"Hometown America"
The scent of autumn rises into the air along with billows of smoke drifting from the chimney tops in the little village of Hawthorne. Leaves gently fall from trees forming a kaleidoscope of color on the rolling hills. Families dine in the local cafĂ© after church and walk home in the cool evening air. Tillie, a local business owner has been dating Mr. Hankins, the Farmer’s Bank president, who was won over by her warm smile and kind heart. They plan to be wed at the village church and the reception is scheduled for the Hawthorne Inn, owned by LuAnn, Tillie’s best friend. The entire village is invited so Mr. Hankins might have to dig deep into his pockets for this event!

Now, here is the other item that I mentioned that I got at the Jesse James Antique Store in St. Joseph, MO. I didn't want to share it with you until the flowers I planted started to bloom.

I got this little rusty jewel along with the basket attached for $18.00. Even though the chain and every other part are rust ridden, my husband was able to ride it. We parked it right here in my flower bed after I cut back the forlorn cone flowers. I want to paint it, but my husband likes it rusty. Please leave a comment with your opinion and I'll share them with my hubby. All you lurkers out there, please stop in and leave a comment too. I need to win this slight disagreement.

Since it's late in the season, I couldn't find a liner for the basket, so I had to use a heavy plastic bag and poked tiny holes in it. It seem to be working.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend, because it's back to work tomorrow for most of us!

15 comments:

  1. I'd like to spend a weekend in the little village of Hawthorne.
    Ok, this might be 'off the wall', but how about painting the whole bike RUST (or maybe an oil-rubbed bronze look). Just a thought.
    Teresa

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  2. Love the painting. The leaves falling in the air, the bankers lamps in the Bank window...everything is so amazing!

    I have always wanted to find an old bike and mosaic it! That's what I will do, if I ever find one for a good price. I think you should paint it!!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  3. The bicycle is delightful all rust-i-cated (a non-word we use around here). I love it like that! So pretty!!!!

    Hugs,
    Cindy

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  4. Catherine,
    I am so sorry but I have to go with hubby on this one! I love the rust and the bits of blue!

    The painting is amazing as usual!

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  5. I like it all rusty, Cathie! It reminds me of my bike, when I was about 8 or 10 years old! I've been looking for one, too.

    I love the new painting!

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  6. Hello Catherine,

    I think this is my favourite among all of your paintings I know. The street houses on the forefront, with the street lights and all... That's wonderful.

    Your creativity seems to be going full blast these days. All the better for us!!!! :)

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  7. LOVE the new painting, Cathie! What a wonderful little town.

    As for the bike, even though I like rusty things, I think it would look great painted.

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  8. Cathie - So sorry but I have to agree with your husband...I would not paint it. I have my son's tricycle in my garden (he is 24 and he rode it when he was 4!). I have a little license plate with his name dangling from the handle bars and marigolds growing in pot from the seat ~ it is rusty and so are those memories of him riding it up and down the sidewalk!
    LOVE you new painting and can't WAIT to get my fall painting in the mail.
    deb

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  9. Sorry but I have to agree with your hubby, the natural aging process on this beautiful antique bike is perfect...I have an old bike belonging to my father in law hanging in my shed that I now am inspired to revive with life. A fall MUM would look wonderful and I will place the bike right in the centre of my rock bed ... I can't wait to pull it out. THANK YOU for the inspirational idea. Love your paintings too!

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  10. I always have my eye out for a bicycle just like that and I will paint it white when I find it! So, I think that's what you should do! PAM

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  11. I love the bike in the flower garden! The rust give it the old look feel! don't change it ! What a great Idea !

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  12. I love it Catherine! I just bought bought a bike for my secret garden too! I painted it all pink, even the tires! I have it on my blog too :) I kind of like the rusty look. Everything you do is gorgeous!

    Hugs,
    Amy

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  13. I love your paintings! You are sooo talented! I also love the bargain of a bicycle you got and the flower filled basket. I have always wanted one myself.

    Tammy

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  14. I'm clearly in the minority here but would like to see it painted. It was someone's dream machine and that someone remembers the shine. Rust is beautiful but machines, especially those often belonging to children should be forever well oiled and shiny.

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Thanks for taking the time to share your sweet comments!