Recycling is actually a "recycled" idea

Recycling is really nothing new. Settlers before us recycled out of the need for necessity. Nothing was wasted. When a chair seat became worn, the seat was replaced with other recycled materials on hand. It was good as new again. No need to toss out a chair that likely took weeks to make by hand, using primitive tools. Throughout the mid-century recycling sorta went by the wayside as consumer goods were readily available through mass production. Today, recycling is in "vogue" - though not necessarily out of the need of necessity but as a conscious effort to protect our environment.

While this group of chairs are valued as antiques and southern cultural history, I collected them for the make-do use of materials for replacing the worn out seats. I love the folky look and the spirit of the maker to create an interesting work with whatever materials were available in his/her surroundings.

The chair on the top left was actually made by former Tennessee slave, Dick Poyner in the 1800's. Originally, the seat would have been of woven materials. At some point in it's life, the worn out materials were replaced with woven wool yarn.

The chair on the top right, attributed to Tennessee chair maker, Billy Spencer has a seat woven from discarded ladies stockings. Various shades make for an interesting look.

The youth chair on the bottom left, attributed to Tennessee chair maker, Robert Baker has a replaced seat of plastic strips. I love the black weaving against the natural patina of the chair. The use of this material has changed the look of the chair to a very modern one instead of the traditional country chair.

The tiny chair on the bottom right, maker unknown, was made for a doll. The seat has been replaced with twine used for various utility purposes.

99 Hearts for Valentine's Eve

99 Hearts

African American Quilt Circa 1930's

Fantastic African American quilt found in Texas's oldest town, Nacogdoches. Clovers of 99 Red Hearts in two varying shades of red are laid to a bleached muslin ground. Outer 2 edges are halved with merely a single heart in lower corner - consequence of an African American superstitious tradition to avoid creation in symmetrical fashion - no evil spirits here. For a maker of pristine quilts, the lining (back) of this quilt would be an odd color choice for a red & white quilt. But for the African American quilt maker it would be a color she loved - the back is dyed cotton muslin in lime green.

Detail of Improvisational Heart Quilt

Detail of Dyed Back of Quilt

Three Cheers For the Red, White, & Blue & the Art of Improvisation...

Improvisation, manifested in the form of cultural objects, has long been a favorite of collectors of the folk art genre. It is the maker's interpretation of a response to his immediate environment that provokes the interest. The object takes on the maker's abilities and surroundings, their feelings, and often times, simply the necessity to create out of need. The flag shown here, made in 1900, was likely created for use as a parade flag - its size and the fact that it is mounted to a stick suggests this (perhaps for a Presidential parade - it was an election year). The beauty of the object here, is the makers interpretation of the American flag - completely hand sewn, the maker has included in its construction 2 blue bars, which obviously isn't correct. We have no way of knowing if the maker simply couldn't recall the correct inclusion of the bars or if it was her/his own desire to create a unique work. The fact that the bars are not evenly spaced adds to its folky, make-do appeal.

Dated 1900 Improvisational Make-do American Flag

Constructed of period flag bunting, stars are embroidered

with wool yarn and twine - entirely hand sewn.

Primitive chain stitch dated 1900

A piece of Christmas past

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod, magi (wise men) from the east arrived in Jerusalem saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."

African American Wise Man, Circa 1930's
Made for a Christmas play at an African American church

Tupelo, Mississippi

Oil on board, rhinestone crown, remnants of leather strap shoes.