Bio-tiques
These playful, compact works of art are based on biotic details and nature entities. The word “bio-tique” is a word created by the artist, whereby the idea of biotics (biology) and antiques (the past) come together in a sort of manifesto to environmental issues. Watch for unexpected orbs or hidden earth entities in these small-sized, intimate pieces.
Vaughan has a mania for circles – in reference to the earth as a blue marble or feminine circle of its own. (Mother Earth) Therefore, marbles, pods, knobs and other circular forms are sometimes combined with her modern painting style. Her work is not about assemblage. It is about painting in a way to communicate messages relating to Man’s conflict with or connection to Nature.
couplet
9 x 9”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
An bit of amour is in the air as a pair of cardinals pause to make eye contact with us. They seem to say, “Hello. We are here and so are you. Shall we care for one another a bit better than in previous eras? Do you not know we are harbingers of sacred message?”
Ironically, the word, “west” is associated with cardinal direction and unity with God in the Bible.
pose
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within Sunshine biscuit tin
600.
A Sandhill crane bends its head to preen itself as we are met with the perfect ornithological pose. The antique blue Sunshine biscuit tin is metaphor to Man alongside Nature. It’s time-worn patina suggests a play on weather and the natural elements.
quiet-ology
28.5 x 6”
acrylic on wood with aluminum letter Q
600.
This thin vertical painting (like sequoia) acknowledges the quietude of the redwoods. An aluminum letter Q sits at top, inspiring the title. Another metal grid of circles below hints at tree rings. Metal infers things that are Man-made, while trees as subject matter represent Nature. The artist signals a belief that the gift of silence or “quiet-ology,” (her made-up word) may be the most underrated branch of needed study in the world.
frolics
23.5 x 8”
acrylic on wood with old ring toss topper
650
An old 50’s hand-held children’s toy sits atop this painting of a raven making eye contact with us. Known for playful cleverness, this bird sits on the outside of the game looking in. “ Hello, kids,” he squawks, “I am here, too, for a reason. Pay attention. The earth is not a ring toss game of chance. Actions matter.”
cappie
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within old tin with marbles
600.
A black-capped chickadee perched on brambles sits within an old BURCH Co. biscuit tin of the 1930’s. Three marbles roll below him, signifying the sacred number and hinting at the blue marble we live on. This little narrative places Man alongside Nature, not against it.
tweedling
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within old tin with marbles
600.
A titmouse pauses in his element, signaling a cheery disposition, all the while in a Sunshine biscuit tin of days gone by. Man meets Nature here in a pleasing way, acting like a cheerful prayer for that relationship to sustain itself.
onomatopoeia
29.5 x 9.5”
acrylic on wood with vintage typewriter
800.
This grammatical word is the perfect title for a chickadee in the woods. An old man-made typing instrument influences the palette and gives the painting a sense of nostalgia. Many bird terms stem from onomatopoeia. To write words that resemble or suggest the source of a sound is what writers do, while birds act the part of muse.
turnovers
24.5” x 9”
acrylic on wood with vintage tin footballs
700.
Pink Earth Lichen bursts from rock, stone and moisture in this image. This painting reminds us that things decay or change and that process is a tenacious act of Nature. Vintage football candy containers from the 1940’s, accompany this scene, adding a playful touch of Man. The title is a football term, but also reflects the constant transformation of life form.
moon ball
7 x 5.5”
acrylic on wood within German Emil Fink panorama
125.
This mini kitsch piece is one of those commercial panoramas that were such a hit in America in the 60’s. The artist has replaced the printed scene with a painted one (original print attached on the back). A small moon ball crashes through the forest in playful orb jest.
blitz
10.5 x 5”
acrylic on wood within stand-up frame
200.
An earth ball blitzes across a hillside in quirky ode to the blue marble we live on. This little painting is perfect for a touch of art on a table, shelf or fireplace mantel.
time flies
21 x 6”
acrylic on wood with old clip board topper
600.
A blue bird fledgling stares us down amid the brambles and one of his first ventures away from the nest. This playful piece is constructed with an old clip board calendar topper that logs each passing day. This image is metaphor to our own fleeting hours and youth that simply flies off so quickly in time.
swash
13 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within old swivel frame
450.
A frog on the edge of a bubbling water bank stares us down, going silent when we walk by as they often do. This little ode to small earth entity reminds us all life forms are connected and part of the vast cycle of regeneration. The sound of a croaking amphibian at brookside is a sign things are going well within the terrain.
sashay
9 x 9”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
A white, long-necked egret struts across a marsh with dignity and a sense of autonomy in this retro biscuit tin. These birds move with slow grace, until the moment of feeding time, when they quickly nab wetland prey. The commercial Canadian Weston’s tin is metaphor to Man alongside Nature.
pooh bah
13.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within German Hummel shadow box
600.
These kitsch panoramas by Emil FInk sold like hotcakes in America in the 1950’-70s. Taking the original image of a young peasant girl out of the frame (it is on the back of this piece) and replacing it with a bird perched on a woodland branch, this image takes on a hilarious setting. Small blue-headed wooden birds show hero-worship for an unexpected feathered friend in the forest. They turn their joyful attention to their very own giant pooh-bah.
etta
9 x 9”
acrylic on wood within old tin with marbles
500.
Etta means ruler of the home. A black raven sits amid an old biscuit tin with three rolling marbles. This playful piece seems silly until one realizes the image pays homage to the earth as home and three as a sacred number.
pebbles | SOLD
10.5 x 11”
acrylic on wood with vintage children's hanger
450.
A spotted green toad stares into a cluster of pebbles as a vintage puppy with yellow ball above brings a smile to our face. Circles are a perky element in this quirky piece as domestic animal and wild-life amphibian “stay, fetch and sit”compositionally in two different worlds.
gaze
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
A stalwart owl gazes directly at us in this ode to wisdom within an old biscuit tin. The vintage Nabisco logo influences the palette, calling for this tenacious bird to be placed amid forest and fauna. A message about Man alongside Nature is suggested in this combo.
tweetie
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
I am not sure Nature produces a sweeter species than the titmouse, tenderly aware of us as he goes about his darts and dashes. This tweetie bird housed within an old man-made Sunshine biscuit tin, displays a dichotomy of opposites – Man juxtaposed alongside the natural world.
spiffy | SOLD
9 x 9”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
What is more gleeful than a bluebird? Three primary-colored marbles roll along the bottom of this old tin in metaphor to the miracle of color itself and the rainbow spectrum. Red, blue and yellow are found within Nature and cannot be mixed. This triad creates every other color on our planet. This warbler in the high chroma it wears is quite spiffy.
chub | SOLD
12 x 12”
acrylic on wood within vintage swivel frame
450.
This chubby little guy in the brambles gives us a look of awareness, housed in a 1930’s swivel frame. This kinglet’s charm is only equal to the whimsy of this antique wood form. Old meets the on-going new of earth’s life cycle in this small work..
spright
12 x 11”
acrylic on wood within old swivel frame
450.
A nuthatch known for being the upside-down bird moves with agility and easy grip along tree and bark, collecting bugs for mealtime. Their quick movements are entertaining to watch. Like robins, they tend to be friendly with Man. These small birds are simply, sprightly in spirit.
toad rage | SOLD
18 x 5”
acrylic on wood with automobile display parts
1,000.
Rain is spitting moisture as a fat toad lingers in the damp undergrowth. Seedling, air bubble and pod mix with his camouflaged appearance. He stares us down, acting as a wise old soul up against our inability to recognize the importance of the biotic world.
little prince | SOLD
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
A kinglet darts into the scene, aware of our presence. The landscape background reminds us to pay attention to the natural world, where lessons of quietude versus haste can be found.
red rover | SOLD
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within old biscuit tin
600.
A sandhill crane struts across a paddock within this man-made old tin. This ancient bird has a way of cheering us up with an ornithological sense of humor and beautiful crimson crown.
pip | SOLD
10.5 x 10.5”
acrylic on wood within vintage biscuit tin
600.
The weathered flaws on this old tin inspired the whiteness of a fleeting sparrow on a moss-laden perch. To place this nester in an old advertisement display, plays homage to the idea of Man alongside Nature.