This was the second chair I created for the Boys and Girls Club Chair Affair auction, in Rochester, MN. I was in a frivolous mood, and wanted something that was just pretty. I began with one of the ugliest wooden chairs I have seen, and adorned it with sheer, iridescent fabrics, silk roses, ribbons and trims, all in shades of scarlet. The sheer fabric reveals glimpses of the body underneath. The back is equally ornate. To my delight, it was won by Ercia Watson, my beloved “pseudo-daughter.”
Table and Chairs
Gilded Chair
This chair had belonged to my family since I was little. At some point, I had recovered the seat with an ocean-themed fabric. Then the dog chewed on the corner (front left) and the veneer on the back began to come off. I was inspired to do a make-over when the local Boys and Girls Club held its first “Chair Affair” charity auction, in Rochester, MN. The idea was that artists would supply creative chairs to be auctioned off, and the proceeds would go to the charity. I was on the organizing committee, and I wanted to contribute something.
I removed the seat, repaired and sanded the wood, and painted it a warm red. Then I oil-gilded the entire piece with composition gold leaf, and lightly toned and distressed it so the red showed through. Along the back, I applied a print, donated by my friend Charlotte Wiskow, that was of her original oil painting “Silver Lake”. I then varnished everything, re-upholstered the seat, and put it all back together. The chair fetched a high price from a surprise bidder – our family lawyer! I was very touched. It has been in his office ever since.
Bistro Set
This bistro table originally had a plain wooden top, and four wire legs. I filled and sealed the wood, then painted it white, with a faux lace edging. On top of that, I stenciled a design in variegated shades of blue. Then I varnished it with several coats of a tinted gloss, sanding in between. I replaced the legs with a central pedestal that I painted blue with a black glaze. I then made the box cushion chair pads to match.
Iwo Jima Memorial
This famous memorial to American bravery needed to be re-gilded. The Society of Gilders donated our labor and some materials to work together on this community service project for the National Park Service. We worked for several days under the guidance of Michael Kramer and the Gilders’ Studio. That’s me on the ground level and in profile – I didn’t want to work on a ladder!