Pearle Northrop

Artist Statement
It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I started taking what I do seriously and it took even longer to consider myself an artist. I love to paint whatever I can get my hands on from things as small as a Scrabble® piece to as big as a dresser and hopefully even bigger someday. Whatever it is I will paint it. I love transforming trash into treasure literally. Imagine that a chair that came from a dumpster (2006) made it into a museum (2009). It blows me away to think that something I did creates a sense of awe in a viewer’s eye.
I was talking to a friend a few years back about my love for furniture, my relationship with chairs in particular. There was a chair that I found discarded and ultimately forgotten. I came upon this chair accidentally. I wasn't looking for a relationship. Anyway, the chair was a very handsome chair with so many things to look at. His back was decorative; his arms were long and lean. His legs...I have never seen such beautiful legs. But he was beaten down. His self-esteem had long been worn out. His seat, which was repeatedly upholstered over years, was torn and faded. His stuffing was busting out revealing his age and loss of pride. Me, being a care taker and rescuer of sorts....picked up the chair and brought it home. He sat at the top of the stairs for a few weeks in a corner. My friends however saw this chair and commented on how ugly he was. They wondered why I had him in my home commenting on how dirty he was and how unattractive he was due to the years of neglect. I ignored them and kept him around. Finally one day I decided to put him on my coffee table and take the layers of cloth and wool stuffing off of his seat. Then I cleaned him, primed him and painted him black. Three months later I sat back and looked at him and this is what I saw.....A chair, a man restored...but not only restored but given a whole new purpose. He was beautiful again. He was unique and wonderful....The same chair that my friends were grossed out by....is now a chair that they ask permission to touch. Amazing.....One thing is for certain...NOTHING STAYS THE SAME! Change is inevitable and what is ugly or dirty or discarded as trash can be saved, can be rescued and can be made shinier than new!
Taking discarded forgotten pieces and giving them their self-esteem back is a passion for me. Living in a world where we discard things so easily I’d like to think I am making an itty bitty difference.
Pearle Northrop

Friday, March 5, 2010

Butterfly Table that I really dig!!!



 
This table was painted in the Summer of 2009. I really love this piece. It is sparkly and full of brilliant color. I love every single bit of it. Like most of my pieces there was a period of time were I started to resent it but that usually passes as it comes to completion. I stood back as I placed that last dot, took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. I am done, I said literally out loud as I have done with each piece I have completed. There usually isn't anybody around to hear me but I say it anyway. When I received this table it was medium/ light stained wood with a satin finish that was worn down in many spots. I had no plan for it. I just sanded it, primed it and started the journey. It may sound strange but after spending some time w/ a piece...by the time I start it takes me where it wants me to go. This table was invisible, a nothing table that you wouldn't even think twice about and now....well, you tell me what you think now.
 


Click on the Photo's to make them larger. I am so excited that I found a way to really show my work and detail. Usually when I try to explain to someone....they have no idea what I am talking about....I usually tell people I obsessively paint patterns to cover an entire area. Does that describe what I do adequately? I think not...just makes me sound like I need a higher dose of medication. xoxox

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2 comments:

  1. LJMarch 8, 2010 at 6:55 PM

    I love love love this table. Simple gorgeous and fun. Well done.

    Thank you for dropping by my blog and commenting. I tend to put to much emotions into some events, even knowing I will probably be disappointed. I must work on that.

    A happy belated birthday to you Pearle. and by the way - I love the name "Pearle" too.

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  2. solarjinx timetravelsMarch 13, 2010 at 3:17 PM

    This has got to be one of the prettiest things I've ever looked at. I can't tell you enough just how awesome this piece of furniture is! You did a remarkable job with it, truly.

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