Pyrograffiti

by Kathleen Menéndez

Pyrography News From Around the World

Newsletter No. 25, Page Two of Three

CONTENTS

Page One:
Cassie and Adri Pretorius: On a Lifelong Safari Together

Page Two:
Peni and Lee Powell: Displaying Their Flemish Art Collection

Page Three:
Introducing New IAPA Members:
- Stefano Bonfatti: Photorealism
- Pierre Doré: Decorative Interpretations
- Lestat de Lioncourt: Erotic Fantasy
News from Old Friends:
- Michael Janson: Listed in Russia's Artindex
- Houba: New Works for Exhibits in 2003
- Dino: Featured in an Interior Design Magazine
- Update on Husband-and-Wife Team Alejandro and Gabriela

Peni and Lee Powell:
Displaying Their Flemish Art Collection

The Powell Home

Making a House a Home

Although not a pyrographic artist decorative artist and teacher Peni Powell is one of the earliest members of IAPA. She joined because of her interest in collecting Flemish Art, one of the names for pyrography (along with the word 'pyrography' itself) coined during the turn of the 19th century to the 20th when that art and craft form became hugely popular. She has contributed to the pages of WOM on various occasions since at least 1999, and has had a salon of her antique pieces in the E-Museum of Pyrographic Art since even before that. Her own website is a joy to behold for many reasons.

Peni and her husband Lee, now retired, live in Portland, Oregon in the northwestern United States. Their house is only a short distance from the Old Oregon Trail. They have taken great delight in the enormous effort they have made together to turn their generous 3300 sq. ft. house and surrounding property into the beautiful home and showcase gardens they have become. Lee joined in the enthusiasm for the collection, which has become very much a part of the interior decoration of their home. At this point, for lack of space, the couple has greatly curtailed their active collecting.

I had seen quite a few of the pieces in the collection thanks to the pictures that Peni has been sharing over the years. This time, however, Peni very graciously agreed to take some interior pictures to show all of us how they have been displaying their collection in their lovely home.

Foyer, Partial View A large display of Flemish Art curiosities welcomes visitors to the Powell's. The picture shows part of one wall that extends back out of view. Eyecatching displays decorate the table in the entry hall as well. And the reflection in the antique wall mirror reveals there are more items displayed on the opposite wall.

Collecting the Collection

A great part of the fun of any collection, as Peni and Lee will tell you, is in the collecting. Peni goes to eBay off and on, she says, and has found the pyrography catalogues and a few art pieces there, as well, to add to their collection. The most fun, though, she claims, is in the hunt when they are traveling. They enjoy stopping at junk stores and antique shops, Peni says, and that is where they have found their best bargains, too. "Although bargains," she notes, "are few and far between."

Parlor A peek into the parlor reveals an end table with a wood plate in pyrography and color. Poinsettias were a very typical and very popular motif of that era. They add a nice little touch of color to the corner.

Library Wall, Partial View This nice built-in was an obvious choice for nestling still more items of Flemish Art among the books, other objets d'art, and family photographs there.

Den, Computer Room Boxes and plaques make up the largest part of the collection. What you are seeing in the picture is only a detail shot of one half of one of the four walls in their den and computer room. Using shelves near the ceiling that go around the entire room, Lee found a way to make sure their boxes were all on view. Peni knows that placing objects from a collection together makes for a greater visual impression. She is also pleased that she can enjoy their box collection when she is using her computer in that room.

Downstairs Bathroom You can certainly see that Peni put a lot of love into doing this room. Look at the faux marble wall treatment. In the corner is a lovely mural complete with bird's nest that Peni painted for it. See the funny little canoe hanging by a chain? It looks like one in Peni's salon in the E-Museum Antique Hall. Notice the long box that they thought to hang on the wall vertically to use like a narrow cabinet--how clever!

Kitchen Grouping A charming grouping like this creates a focal point in a kitchen, breakfast nook, or dining room. It also helps in creating a cozy ambience.

Caring for the Collection

Needless to say, with major groupings and small displays throughout their large house, dusting can be a challenge. In addition, Peni oils the pieces at least once a year so they won't dry out and warp; it is a task that can take up to a few days.

To answer my query regarding cleaning and restoring an old piece you've just acquired, Peni replied that she has found a product for cleaning dirt and grime called Kramer's Best Blemish Clarifier, which she applies with either a soft rag or, for resistant spots, four-zero steel wool.

For after cleaning, she also recommended a second product called Kramer's Best Antique Improver for putting a little sheen on the surface and oiling the pieces. "It has beeswax in it, I believe," she says.

Peni is careful not to alter an original piece in any significant way; refinishing, for example, could not only spoil the patina but could actually devalue a piece for later resale.

Although she personally has always bought her Kramer's products at antique shops, she looked up the www.kramerize.com website for me and recommended reading the 'what it can do' page.

Staircase As our tour heads upstairs, we can see that Peni and Lee have really taken advantage of that wonderful deep rose wallspace (showing up more lavender in the digital image) to hang a large selection of cameos of Victorian ladies. Here is a grouping sample of ones you will spot in the lower right in the following image.

Staircase Here is a bigger picture of the same staircase display. Are you beginning to get a sense of the size of this collection? Let's see what awaits upstairs!

The Master Bedroom For this room, Peni chose a romantic grouping to display on the wall between the dresser and the window. She selected pieces reflecting Victorian designs in themes of love: Hearts, couples, etc. They create a Victorian focal point yet fit in so well with the furnishings of the room.