Artist Ellen Oakford

I posted yesterday about a piece of artwork that I had purchased at the thrift store last week. I had mentioned how I love prints with trees in it. The one I found at the thrift store cost me $6.88 and I saw it as I was walking out the door. I loved the look of it, reminiscent of a drive to a southern plantation or of a tree lined street in some quaint southern town like St Augustine or Savannah. Here is my print:

Well I received this kind email from MMK, who was a little familiar with the artist.

MMK did a little investigating for me about my print:"

This is the comment that I received from MMK

"Hi! The artist name on your print looked familiar, so I looked it up and found this link: http://www.oldprintshop.com/cgi-bin/gallery.pl?action=browse&creator_id=11069

and also this link (she's at the bottom)http://www.ronaschneiderprints.com/C19__HO.htm

Neat artist! I like this black and white scenery, so this always catches my attention! I visited your blog from a friend's link and enjoyed reading it! Would love to know what you find out about your print! Marla"

Marla, I couldn't be happier! I am so appreciative of you to forward that information onto me! I just love my art piece...and even more now that I know a little history on it. It is a bonus that is is actually worth something. I cannot thank you enough for you pointing out to me the history of the artist and some other artwork that she has done. My piece seems to be in very good condition. And the piece is signed.

I do not know for certain that it is an original, but it certainly appears to me because the tool used to create the artwork appears to be in pen.

(back of print)

Here is what Marla dug up on the artist Ellen Oakford:

Ellen Oakford (active 1880-1890s)


TWILIGHT, ca. 1887. Pencil signed, on Japan paper. Exhibited at the N. Y. Etching Club, 1888. See: Peet, American Women of the Etching Revival, High Museum, Atlanta, 1988. The many talented women etchers of the 1880s are being rediscovered and with this evocative image Oakford clearly deserves to be in that group.
Etching, 6 5/8" x 10 3/4".
$400.

Item Number: 36756
Title: Yale Campus
Artist: Ellen Oakford
Category: 20th Century Prints > Colleges and Universities
Medium Used: Etching,
Year: 1888.
Edition: Edition unknown.
Size: Image size 9 11/16 x 14 15/16" (246 x 379 mm).
Condition: Very good condition.
Price: $650.00
Additional Info: Unsigned with printed remarque of fence surrounding the green.

Once again, Marla/MMK I am so appreciative of your research. For once, my thrifting has really paid off! You have truly made my day! Sincere thanks!

It's #151 of Thrifty Thursday, Plus a Tablescape!

Hi! It's #151 of Thrifty Thursday!  I am your host, Leigh. Thank you so much for stopping by and additional thanks to those who also participate in Thrifty Thursday! I am most delighted to have you join in..for it's YOU who makes it a "show and tell party". I also participate in Tablescape Thursday the host of that fun carnival is the Hostess with the Mostess...Susan of Between Naps on the Backporch. That's no lie or exaggeration, each week I visit Susan's porch and just long to be a guest at any of her tablescapes...especially those held on the porch.
(You can click on any pictures for a closer view)

*Thrifty Thursday takes place each Thursday and is hosted here at Tales from Bloggeritaville, but the party is a progressive one, visit the links to see all the Thrifty Thursday links to see the thrifty treasures participating bloggers have to share.

*Don't forget to copy and paste the Thrifty Thursday logo button to your computer so you can add it to your side bar and your Thrifty Thursday post. That way visitors will know that your are participating in Thrifty Thursday.

Last weekend I attended the Central Alabama Antique Market & Appraisal, that benefited the Columbiana Library. It took place at an old (Dr. Handley's) barn! Very cool!

Market activities include antique appraisals conducted by knowledgeable antique dealers, antique sales at dealer booths as well as live music provided by the Sexy Tractor Band.

We do it right in Alabama.

Although the appraisals were not certified, knowledgeable individuals who have extensive experience in antiques provided information about how much each piece could be valued. There were many items included in the 13 appraisal categories including toys, art, guns, pottery and glassware.

There were also enjoyable treats in the edible form as well: Dreamcakes Bakery,  Roasted Corn & Sweet Potatoes, Johnny Ray's BBQ, Kettle Corn, Kona Ice and Diva Dogs from the Sweet Potato Queens (Shelby County Chapter-who looked so cute as did their yummy booth!)

One little lady was the talk of the market with her wooden European throne chair from the 1800s that was appraised at $18,000.

 (Picture from the Shelby Co Reporter)

I heard that the lady bought the chair for $250 at an auction nearly 30 years ago, and she bought two. Making her $500 investment worth nearly $36,000!!!

See my friends...being thrifty can pay off BIG!

I took in a piece of artwork for appraisal that I picked up at the Thrift Store a couple years ago, the one by artist Ellen Oakford in 1889.

However, there was no one with knowledge about my painting. Nope, I didn't yet find the millions in my attic.

Alas my tropical isle beach home will have to wait a while longer.

But I did find this cute old relic from an old scale face for $5.00 that I temporarily put into my bookshelf....

I love the old rusted face...

lots of character there....

Can you see the numbers?

I like to incorporate some old equipment into decor.
Instant history and story conversation!

***************************************

Tablescape Thursday:
I am thinking spring since everything is beginning to green up here in the south...

I thought appropriate with St Patty's Day and Easter on the horizon. Whatcha think?

I encourage you to visit my friend Susan of Between Naps on the Porch for some great Tablescape Thursday participants.

 I would also like to  invite you to stop by my food blog, PLATES & PLACES, for Foodie Friday!

Thanks to all of you for stopping by and participating in today's Thrifty Thursday. Please use Mr. Linky below to link up your blog.

I encourage you all to spread the love and visit the other thrifty Thursday participants, for that's what half the fun is. Aside from seeing a cool treasure it's making friends!

And speaking of friends.....

You can always visit me on FACEBOOK,

I love me some friends: be they new friends or old friends!

XOXO

LIVE*LOVE*LAUGH

LEIGH

Thrifty Participants:

A long Winded Post on Anniversary, Garage Sales and Thrifting on a Budget

Saturday was Big Daddy's and my anniversary. I feel so blessed to be married to him. It's what I had prayed for since the age of 11 years old. To marry Big Daddy specifically. I posted about it here. I have to say that I just adore this man. He not only is a good father, husband, provider, and friend, He makes me laugh everyday. He has a certain navigational map for our lives and is a very smart captain to have the ability to see that we get to where we want to be in our life. He still thinks I am sexy-even after all these years. He appreciates and genuinely loves my body despite it's going south. Big Daddy can actually appreciate my body in it's current state and see it as even more beautiful, because of the journey it has taken and because of what it has created (our children). He is sincere in his thoughts. How could I not be wild about this man? Other than the fact that I know that he is my soulmate and created for me. He was destined to be my husband. And these are just a few reasons that I adore Big Daddy and the man he is. There is a reason I call him a man among men.

For our anniversary we have made a pact not to buy things for one another. Neither of us need anything. And we'd much rather save $$ for an early retirement. Though we never do not buy anything, We buy cheap stuff. Because we are cheap like that. And because that is one thing that Big Daddy loves about me.....I am a simple girl. I don't require much. Big Daddy gave me some flowers and the sweetest card.

So sweet. He also gave me a bottle of what he calls, "Leigh's wine".....Which is really Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice. I told you I was cheap. And I am not a wine drinker. But the Welch's I LOVE , and this is Big Daddy's little special something that he buys me for any special occasion. Sometimes just because. He is good like that.

Oldest son Bama offered to babysit and we took him up on it. (THX Bama!) Big Daddy and I enjoyed a nice "quiet" supper at Outback. We didn't even look at a kids menu. We didn't have to break up an argument. We had adult conversation. It was nice. The morning of our anniversary when we awoke Sledge had been up for awhile and had made a power point slideshow for Big Daddy and I. It was the sweetest thing ev-ah!

Speaking of anniversaries, Big Daddy and I share an anniversary with my good friend, High May and her hubs Michael. Many ions ago, I did not know High May, but we were both married to our husbands on the same day, at the same time. We celebrate the same number of years (beyond a decade) in marriage.

(Photography by Leigh of Photographic Memories-see blog link)

Imagine that! High May and I decided to do our own pre-anniversary celebrating of our own by taking in some garage sales Saturday morning.

I was certain to be sure to go to fellow blogger, Rhoda's garage sale.

Isn't she a doll? Ignore the dork next to her. Upon first seeing me she said that I was not as tall as she expected. Rhoda looked just as I expected. She had a lot of cute home decor items at her sale and told me that she sold it all! I am so happy for her. She is going to use the money for a home bedroom redo. She is a home decorator. She has the great ability to makeover a room for not alot of $$ by shopping thrift stores and consignment and garage sales. Be sure to tune into her blog to see the transformation.

Down the street from her sale was another garage sale by a lady that owns a consignment shop (which I have been to before). This is a great consignment shop with designer duds at great prices. Much of which goes to charity. I got a pair of jeans, 2 sweaters and a pair of shoes (with the $79.99 Harrod's price tag still attached) all for $10.00.

High May purchased some picture frames further down the street. A lot for $15.00. From there the garage sales and the picking s at the existing ones were slim. I found a lampshade that I purchased for $2.00 and we called it a day.

I did much better at thrifting last week at the thrift store.
I have a thing for trees. I love them in nature, in jewelry, in geneology, in photography and in art. I was so stoked when I came upon this tree print for six bucks at the thrift store:

Excuse the bad photography. I was being lazy and didn't want to take it outside to photograph, much less use my tripod. A flash is not a friend of the framed picture.

It looks to be an original piece, and what I believe to be done in ink.

The bottom is signed with the name Ellen Oakford 1889

This is the back of the frame:

I also found some dishes that I liked at the thrift store. That seems to be what I am gravitating to lately. Aren't these pretty?

These green plates were $1.48 each (2)

Silvestri White Platter for $1.48

Ironstone plates for $1.48. I found several of these that I bought. I plan to do a wall grouping.

This is a large serving bowl with little ram's on it. It was made in Italy and hand painted. The bowl was $3.88. It'll be perfect for serving spaghetti! And popcorn.

And finally for the dishes....this blue and white transferware. It reminds me of my beloved St Augustine or Savannah. $1.48

I also found two pair of shoes:

Brighton's for $2.48

and Bellini Boots for $4.88

And that, was my weekend. I hope that you had a fabulous weekend. I will be dropping my your blog to check out what is on your mind! Thanks for dropping by the island. I love visitors. Here's to having a great week!