GOODWILL HUNTING No.2

It's not often that I come across a decent framed print at the Goodwill. The selection mostly consist of dusty and banged up wooden frames, or pictures that remind me of something you would find in a nursing home, not very cute. But this framed print really stood out to me. I liked the simplicity and the limited yet vibrant use of color, and for only $4.99 I knew I had to get it. I was finally able to replace the cliche Audrey Hepburn photo that had been hanging above my desk for far too long and swapped it out for this pretty piece.

Out of curiosity I did a quick google search to see who Richard Spare is and I found out that he is a successful English artist and printmaker who is known for his drypoint etchings and oil paintings. He still creates, sells, and exhibits his work on a regular basis. Cool stuff! I really enjoyed finding out about this artist and upon further digging, I read that this poster might have an estimated value of almost $400 dollars with the original paintings selling between $900 to over $1,000. How incredible!! But then I also saw that this poster was being sold on ebay for about $15-$30. So I'm not really sure, but the prospects of it being worth something is pretty exciting. Either way, I'm keeping it!

GOODWILL HUNTING No.1: PARIS PAINTING

Goodwill Hunting is a series of posts I'll be doing where I share what I hunted down at my local Goodwill. When I look around my room and around the house there are quite a few unique pieces that I've found at the Goodwill. It's always either hit or miss when shopping there. Somedays I'll find something really cool and most times I'll walk in and out with nothing in hand. But when you do find those pieces that were once someone else's trash but now your treasures, you realize that the thrill really is in the hunt.

One of my more recent finds is this beautiful painting of Paris. Apparently someone named Mark  (smart guy, he signed his work) seemed to be one talented guy! Fortunately for me his painting was tossed out. Maybe by an ex-lover? an old friend? or maybe he was kinda over it himself and decided maybe he'd donate it, cause surely someone else would appreciate it. So thanks Mark! whoever you are, it looks perfect on my wall.

As with most things you find at the Goodwill they need a bit of sprucing up. So the only thing that needed to change was the color of the frame. It is a pretty frame in and of itself but the orange gold was a little to much for my taste. So it had to go! Luckily, it was nothing that a bit of champagne metallic paint couldn't fix. I decided to keep with the metallic finish because I love metallic touches throughout a room and I think the metallic frame contrasts nicely with the matte finish of the painting. Also, changing it to more of a subtle color really allows the colors in the painting to pop. I'm so happy with how it turned out. 

 Now for some quick tips on Goodwill Hunting... 

 Goodwill Tip #1 If a painting, picture or frame caught your eye, don't leave it because you don't like the color or the style of the frame. It's always an easy fix you can make with a new frame or a new paint color.

Goodwill Tip #2  Try to single out things and look at them with a bit of a creative eye. Have fun with altering things to suit your taste and style. 

 Goodwill Tip #3 If you love something don't leave it because chances are when you come back it won't be there. Trust me on this one. 

 Goodwill Tip #4 If you have dust allergies avoid the area at all costs, or suck it up, or where a dust mask...your choice.