Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Seascapes

I had a positively lovely vacation out East, visiting my dear Mom and large extended family for two weeks. I shall regale you with tales of home another time. I will say it was difficult coming back to reality, but I was eager to bring home these new finds, two beautiful miniature seascapes by New Jersey painter Al Barker:
While visiting a favorite antique store in southern New Brunswick, I discovered these two neglected beauties sitting in a box piled with miscellaneous framed prints.  Hello pretty ones.
I immediately found them beautiful and knew they weren't junk (oil on board, painted by a clearly accomplished but unknown - to me that is - painter, signed on the front and signed and numbered on the back).
I had a "start the car!" moment when I turned them over to see an absurdly low price. It was abundantly clear that the shopkeeper didn't appreciate their value, so when I took them to the counter, I asked for his "best price". He took another 30% off the pair! I practically jumped for joy!

These two paintings are easily worth hundreds of dollars apiece. Similarly sized works online are priced at over $700 each. And they're just what I've been looking for. For at least a year I've been dreaming of starting a small collection of landscape paintings, but I've had a hard time finding an artist or work that I love. Seascapes have always spoken to me, so you can imagine that I immediately loved this dreamy pair.

Based on these two works and some internet research, I can easily say that I am smitten with Al Barker's work. I plan to acquire other pieces in the future. Maybe a New Jersey trip will figure in my future...(in fact, David and I are thinking about another Virginia Civil War trip!)

23 comments:

  1. Serendipity indeed! They are gorgeous and I'm very impressed that you kept your cool at the counter and then got a further discount!!!!
    You may like to take a look at Kerri's beautiful work at http://driftwood-interiors.blogspot.com/
    She's an Aussie artist who may just inspire your collection further, plus she has a give away of a piece of her art at the moment. I'm sure if you won she'd come to some agreement about sending it to you.
    Enjoy your posts,

    Felicity

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  2. Wow! If you want me to poke around a few shops the next time I'm home (I'm from northern New Jersey, outside of NYC), I will.

    I have to say that your photography is absolutely beautiful!

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  3. meant to be, wasn't it? is there really any better feeling than getting something you really love at a great price?

    your images of the pieces are stunning. you must go back and look at them again. just beautiful.
    so happy for you! Donna

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  4. Welcome back Terri!

    My Gramma is originally from Nova Scotia - in fact, from the same town where Linda MacDonald {of Restyled Home blog} currently resides.

    It's on my To-Do list to go visit Gramma's birthplace and take lots of seascape photos of her childhood environment.

    What lovely prints you found. Look forward to seeing more of your collection as it evolves.

    xoxo MMW

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  5. Wow! What a find! Glad that you didn't freak or anything...never tip your hand in an antique shop and all that. I'm delighted for you!

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  6. You know how much I adore painting seascapes! These are beautiful...

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. Terri, you are a dear to share that source with me! You are too kind.

    I was so glad to see your post today. I know you are limited time-wise and are not able to post daily, but that just makes your pieces more dear to us...

    see you soon, and thanks again! Donna

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  8. Terri, these little seascapes look beautiful hanging in your home. They were obviously meant to be yours! Lee :)

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  9. hi terri,

    i really love these seascapes. they look perfect in their new home. i'm glad you are back.

    ~janet

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  10. Hi Terri!

    I'm happy that you had such a great time! However I fully understand that it must be hard going back home :( I really like the seascapes! And how lucky!

    Take care and have a great week!

    Hugs, Susanne

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  11. Don't you just LOVE IT when an idea comes together? I collect landscapes of lake scenes....oils, watercolors and vintage photographs. They make a nice statement when hung together. This post reminds me that I haven't added to the group in a long while. Time to hit the antique stores! Welcome home. xx Suzanne

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  12. These are beautiful! :0) What a great find! I'm so glad you had a nice vacation with your family :0) Welcome Back!!

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  13. Oh I love them, and they look so beautiful where you have hing them! Please stop by my blog and enter my new giveaway, I think you would love it!

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  14. Welcome home, I've missed you and can't wait to hear all about your journey. I hope you were able to catch up on some R&R!

    These paintings are fabulous~ you certainly have the eye don't you?!

    Big hugs~
    T

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  15. Lotsa good stuff in NJ...my husband is from East Brunswick. Hope you got to the Shore. I've missed your posts, waiting to hear about your adventures.

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  16. These are lovely Terri and such a great find!

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  17. oh my gosh!! i love them they're prefect in your house.

    have missed you!!
    xoxo,
    old man

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  18. Amazing finds! I love the look they have with the gold frames!

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  19. I really love your new art..nothing more tranquil than the sea!

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  20. Dear Terri

    Here u can look on pics from my home and a little film also... (I hate myself on film...brrr)

    http://www.kuriren.nu/hemmavid/artikel.aspx?articleid=5415185

    Love
    Katarina

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  21. Hi Terri!

    Thank you so much for nice words. Fun you could translate the text from the article. yes me and Anette http://lantlif.blogspot.com made a book with my photos and her text, I amde the layout of the book and now it is done and we have it in our hands.

    It is an interior book with north of sweden chabby chic style, and we gor great respons on it.

    Iwould love to meet you to, It would be great

    many kind regards and many hugs
    / Katarina

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  22. wow, they are beautiful! good for you :-)
    I love the feeling of getting something you love, and than bringing it home, having it around you....
    enjoy your week!

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  23. These are gorgeous, how lucky to have found them and they look perfect on your walls. I love seascapes they draw me in and take me to the beach. Enjoy them, they are wonderful,Kathysue

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