flea circus

I’ve had particularly good luck with art this season, so I thought I should devote a post to prints and paintings I’ve found recently. Please forgive the timestamp on the pictures- I have a new camera.

I’ll end up selling most of these but meanwhile I’m enjoying them

These two equestrian painting are watercolors I bought at the Big Flea in Chantilly, VA. The dealer told me he had had a lot of them- I got two of the last ones.  I’m pretty sure they are studies for larger paintings.

The name of the artist is JW Dunn- apparantly an illustrator. So far I can’t find any info. My guess is that these are from the early to mid-twenties.

 Later in the summer I saw a large painting in NYC that was surely by the same person. Weird! This artist is following me around.

JW Dunn resurfaces in NYC

That dealer said she had found it at an estate sale in Maryland- so the artist had some connection to the VA/MD area- I’d love to find out more. I’m sure I’ll find another piece of this puzzle eventually.

This huge pastel portrait actually made me laugh out loud when I found it. I may not be able to part with it. Growing up, I knew several women who could have been the subject  (which is beautifully done, by the way- but holy night- she is one scary mother! ) I hear someone cracking an ice tray   every time I walk by it, and there js a ghostly whiff of  Elizabeth Arden and cigarettes.

She’s obviously in a foul humor. Maybe her daughter grew up and wrote a book.

"I told you, dear, no children on the patio during grownup time."

I’ll save the rest for another post.

a piddling portion of paintings and plunder 2009

Catching up on some more summer memories-

Last July, Southern forces (consisting of Stuie, Weezie and yrs truly) convened in New York City to rendez-vous with Pooh, our undercover Big Apple operative.

I am happy to report maneuvers were successful! I was able to hit the Garage on the west side but only got through the upper floor before my friends called a break for lunch. I was able to grab a tantalizing photo of the ground floor action through an open bay. I’m going back in a month, so I agreed to go without pitching a fit.

After taking a bite out of the Apple, the Ageing Chick Army piled into Pooh’s car and headed west towards Bucks County, Pa.

I should pause and briefly describe this vehicle, since it is also an old friend. It’s a chocolate-brown Mercedes that belonged to Pooh’s mama, who we all knew since babyhood- all our mothers were good friends. After Nina died, it was just not possible to let her car go.  It’s just like she was later in life- a classy brunette with some miles on her. Pooh keeps the Ninimobile in the city, which is a pain but worth it. It’s like riding around in one of her purses. I would not be surprised to look down and find a mint and a Kentucky Derby ticket stub between the seats. The air conditioner works, which is awesome since you can’t open the windows.

So anyway, we rolled west into New Jersey and hit a popular market by the river called the Golden Nugget- we all bought pretty vintage linens and some other teeny things- I got some great french plates and a bunch of old magic lantern slides- I have no idea what to do with them but something will come to me.  I found a fabulous Masonic lodge medal- a really great one, but walked away and I’m kicking myself still. That one goes into the “shoulda” file.

it was a gorgeous day

Afterwards we went into Lambertville, which is the cutest little town ever. We had a great lunch and poked around in the shops.  I bought a Chippendale mirror that looks wonderful in my dining room. I rarely buy in retail shops- but the prices were terrific. In one place I saw a little transferware mustard pot that was identical to one I had bought at the Garage two days before- and the price was exactly the same 10 bucks I had paid for mine.

I love my mirror!

fancy meeting you here, Mr. Dabney!

Late in the afternoon we were shopped out and ready to leave. As we moseyed down a side street on our way to the Ninimobile something caught my eye- there in a shop window was a print of a handsome gentleman in uniform. Screeching to a hault, we all started laughing. We happen to know this guy! He’s the father of another good friend from home. At least 40 years ago, several of our daddies had posed as officers in historic uniforms for a bourbon whiskey ad campaign. Who would imagine we would be looking at one of these prints of a man we all grew up with in Kentucky sitting in a shop window in Lambertville, New Jersey. The shopkeeper thought she had a sure sale until we told her that all our parents already own the full set.

The Aging Chick Army gave the day an A+. We picked up wine and cheese and crossed the Delaware into Pennsylvania to spend the night at a beautiful and very old farmhouse that was restored by two very talented friends of mine. Thus well-provisioned, and with Cornwallis’ army nowhere in sight, the troops were lighthearted and  slept like babies. The next day we hopped back and forth across the river and explored several charming little towns on both sides before heading back to the city. Chick trips are the best, y’all. This little piece of the Delaware River might be my new favorite place.

Lambertville doorway

I took a couple of Flea Circus customers to one of my favorite monthly markets in Indiana yesterday- the pickin’s were good as usual, and the dealers reported healthy sales, which I’m always glad to hear. Disappointed dealers get cranky, and who can blame them? The work they put into these events is grueling. When the dealers are sad, the festive atmosphere of an outdoor market can deflate a bit. God bless ‘em- they keep coming back with fresh stuff and renewed enthusiasm! Without these people, the shows would disappear, and I would basically curl up and die.

Anyway, we had fun. The mother/daughter team I escorted scored some good finds- a wonderful copper boiler, a great Empire mantel clock (working!) and a sweet pair of white fringed vintage cowboy boots, among other things.

Of course, I managed to find a few doodads myself. Nick had his usual array of jewelry fragments- I picked up some nifty enamel bits, fobs, bridle decorations and etc. to use in future projects.

I love Jadeite, but have resisted starting that collection so far. Still, I love to see it.

you better come on into my kitchen, because it's gonna be rainin' outdoors

So it did start to rain, which sent some of us scurrying.  It’s funny to watch- some dealers move like lightning to cover their stuff, and some just let it go and watch it roll. It’s already rusty, right?

Jeepers creepers! These are the most divine frames I’ve ever found. Normally I would replace the lenses- but they are so outrageously thick they make the glasses even more interesting. .

 I wish I could meet the woman who wore them. She must have been almost totally blind, but still she had the style and attitude to sport these babies. The silver work goes all the way back to the earpiece.

Hank tried them on and couldn’t walk across the room.

I also found several fabulous primitive pieces for the kitchen project I’m working on- couldn’t bring them home so I will drive to the dealer’s place in Richmond, Indiana soon to pick them up- and grab a look at the other things he says he has in his garage. It’s gonna be good, I guarantee it.

It was a busy summer for the Flea Diva! Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, scanning the curb for good junk as we go.

I started out with a trip to Camp Country to drop off  Thing Two with his brother, Thing One for their annual summer sojourn in the Smokies. I then headed north to Virginia to check out the Richmond Big Flea.

I enjoyed the show and found some great stuff. I bought an old wooden shoe rack and a very cool hanging cabinet, which are both going in the Barn Sale this winter. Other finds of note- some beautiful brown and white transferware cake plates, a pair of galvanized chicken waterers with great architectural lines, and some very interesting paintings.

The best stop in Virginia was a great spot called Luckett’s General Store. The yard alone made my heart start beating faster. I love the setup here- the store and porch are jampacked, and the parking area is dotted with the sweetest little sheds full of stuff- I could spend days here and fill a truck without any problem.

They have occasional shows with other dealers set up by the store- I can’t wait to go back for one of those! It’s a pretty long haul from Louisville, but would be worth it, I’m sure.

I cannot stop thinking about this fabulous wood-burning stove. If I go back and it’s still there, I’ll buy it. Mr. Flea will have a fit.