"ARROYO"

A dry channel through which water flows intermittently and irregularly. Kind of like this blog.

My art is an infectious need for me, sometimes a burden but most often a blessing.

This blog is about me and my obsessions, my loves, my need to create and my need of JUNK. I'm addicted to thrift stores, estate sales, flea markets and all roads leading off the beaten track to discover that perfect piece of junk. I recycle old license plates, old shovels, wheelbarrows, saw blades and anything else that's funky using my hand held plasma cutter. I love working with steel, sculpting, photography, watercolor painting, stained glass, and turning everyday utilitarian objects into art. Junked cars ~ I will always veer off the path to search out the beautiful wrecked Arroyo JunKers throughout Arizona, New Mexico and anywhere else the road may lead. When I'm not searching for those JunKers
I ~ RESURRECT ~ STEEL

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Don't Be Jealous - I'm an Addict

I don't know what's in the air, but I tell you I've been on a binge these days and can't seem to stay away from the thrift stores.  Perhaps it because of all the cool things I've found lately - it keeps me on a thrift store high and then I come down and I've got to get some more and I head out the next day to see what else I can find.  It's a bad, bad habit and one I keep saying I'm gonna kick, but I think I need Rehab in order to stop - Seriously!  Of course I'm always looking for junk to resurrect and use in my art, and of course I always find other things I don't need, but I can't leave them behind. Do you know what I mean?


So without further ado.....I thought I'd share a couple of awesome treasures I found
Don't Be Jealous

Antique Christmas Tree Stand - $15
I may use it as a stand for a special Shovel I create
 Heavy Copper & Brass Plates & Bowl - $5
 Heavy 5ft Wrought Iron Candelabra - $23
Antique manual copper-brass air pump used for providing an air supply for deep sea diving. Manufactured by Wm. Boekel & Company of Philadelphia. Pat.1904. $43
And these... OMG! Such beautiful WoodCuts that I found (15 in all) at the Habitat for Humanity are beyond unbelievable.  Half of them are about 17x23, a few are not finished, but are still beautiful.
The pics don't do them justice for sure.

 Weird Signature - What does it mean?

Woodcuts have been around for a seriously long time and many years ago my Mother found a beautiful one in the trash and later gave it to me.  Come to find out it was done by a very famous artist  Margaret Jordon Patterson, it's dated 1921 and the current value is approx $2100...... so maybe these will be famous also!

Stay tuned for the next showing of Hoarders - I may be on it!  

8 comments:

stregata said...

Great finds!!! I have a similar addiction - flea markets...

Unknown said...

It you look south, you might see a little 'green glow' on the horizon. That's me being a little green with envy! There just are no flea markets as such here and I miss them terribly. You found some real treasures ... very beautiful. Can't wait for you to do some research on the signatures. What fun! The thrill of the hunt. Ah yes, I remember it well. Have fun. hugs, Donna

Luthien Thye said...

oh wow!! wow wow wow!!! i'm so in love with the pump!! great finds my fren and even greater value :)

p/s saw the gorgeousnesses you sent Barry's way ;) Phoar!! LOVE them too :)

Barry said...

SZQ - I'm with Luthien - wow, wow and wow - such great finds but of course my favourites are the bowls and platters - just so much yummy metal. Enjoy the 'shopping' and creating. B

Jerry Carlin said...

Wow, Soozee, I just want to follow you around for a day! Don't trash my studio! I'll return, promise!
Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas!

SooZeQue said...

Now you guys know why I'm not getting anything done or creating. Too busy getting my fix! BS: how did I know you'd love the copper! Luthien: I'll be trying to figure out what to do with that piece - I'd like to carve it up, but not sure. JC: I could trash a few canvases with paint maybe? Or weld some junk together. OK

soraya nulliah said...

Dear SSQ-we passed through Arizona-for a minute...and I thought of you. The red mountains were just over the top beeeyooootiful!! I can see why you love it there. I have missed you too. We made it safely here to Co. Resting up tomorrow but on Monday back to work in our new home...painting, etc etc. So excited...we are going to live here forever!!!
Okay...seriously LOVE the woodcuts...and the brass plates. I know what you mean about things piling up...the more you get rid of the more stuff comes back!!!
I wsih you a very merry Xmas my dear friend...all the very very best. xxx

ArtPropelled said...

I know exactly what you mean. Great finds! We do see Hoarders over here sometimes so hopefully I will see you.

Takin' the back road from Greer to Morenci was gorgeous. This was waiting at the end.

Takin' the back road from Greer to Morenci was gorgeous.  This was waiting at the end.
Alpine Cliff Jumper

Don't you just love bugs! My first car.... but RED.

Don't you just love bugs!  My first car.... but RED.
Lamy, NM

This was a great old Studebaker Truck in Lamy, NM . It has seen better days. I love Lamy,

This was a great old Studebaker Truck in Lamy, NM .  It has seen better days.  I love Lamy,
Studebaker in Lamy, NM