Napier Woodburning

Trail Riders

2011-01-16T10:03:00.000-08:00

Thomas Hart Benton is one of my favorite artists- I truly admire his style of work. The lines and shapes that he creates have this wonderful flowing and melting quality that are so distinct. This is a burning I did based on his painting, 'Trail Riders'. You might notice this has a similar quality to the landscape I burned into a side table- which I also use for my banner image at the top of my blog page- also based on a Benton painting. 18"x 24" on birch

Hancock 309 Gallery and Consignment

2011-01-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

Last night SNAC had their opening reception at Hancock 209 Gallery and Consignment in Dorcester. I had some of my burnings on display along with this diptych which is acrylic on wood. The back story: I've always been intrigued by Edgar Allen Poe. When I lived in Providence, I lived on Benefit Street a few houses down from a historic home where a woman named Helen Whitman lived. She and Poe had an affair in which her family did not approve. So they were forced to meet in secret- directly behind her house was a stone staircase that led down to a cemetary where they would go to be alone. They never married due to the family feud, but were very deeply in love; Poe even wrote a famous love poem about her called "Helen". This painting is of Helen in the cemetary still 'waiting' for Poe. You can see the stone steps behind her leading up to her house. A romantic tragedy in my eyes...

Family Portrait

2010-12-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

The past few months I have been busy, busy, busy getting all of my Christmas orders finished and shipped out to arrive before the big day. Thank you, Etsy! This is a commissioned family portrait that I just finished today. The photographer did an amazing job setting up the original photograph- I love the stockings in the background and The Night Before Christmas book. I am very pleased with the burning, I love how all the different textures from the clothing bring it all together to make a great work of art.

Now to start the Christmas shopping for my own family! No time to make any gifts for them this year, so off to the mall...on the Sunday before Christmas...I'm mentally preparing myself for all the screaming children and crowded stores. We still haven't gotten our tree yet, hopefully we'll do that today, too. Doncha just love Christmas??

Unique Boutique

2010-10-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Come join me at the Unique Boutique Artisan's Fair on Saturday, November 6th. I'll have some brand new pieces on display- and since Christmas will be near, I'll be doing hand burned personalized Christmas ornaments! Also, if you are interested in a custom piece, you can drop off or email your photograph to NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com .

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Scituate Art Festival

2010-10-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

A few weekends ago was the Scituate Art Festival. I took this picture on the morning of the third day, and it was looking a little empty! Which is awesome- because that means that it was a very successful weekend. I sold tons of boxes, bowls, coasters, Christmas ornaments, cutting boards and original artwork! The next few weeks will be very busy- restocking for my November 6th show at the Rotunda on Easton Beach in Newport, and filling the Christmas orders that are starting to come in. So if you are thinking about an original woodburning for a gift this year, get your orders in now so I can have it ready by Christmas!

I'm excited for Christmas this year because Steve has promised me... my very first... REAL Christmas tree! Growing up we always had a fake one- if we even put one up at all- and the past ten years I've lived in apartments which weren't exactly Christmas tree friendly. But this year we have our new house with plenty of space for a pretty, perfect, real Christmas tree! Oh, the little things in life...

Set of Six Refinished Chairs

2010-10-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a set of six antique chairs that I refinished. They were in need of some TLC- very worn with who knows how many years of finishes and dust layered on top of the original paint. I took the seats and legs down to bare wood and hoped to preserve the paint on the tops which had a faint stenciled design on them. I masked the tops and sprayed the bottoms black, then carefully hand sanded the tops to remove the years of grossness, yet preserving the painted stencil work. I couldn't believe it when the designs started to re-emerge, it was like finding a buried treasure! I distressed the freshly painted bottoms a bit to match the look of the top. I finished them all up with a few layers of clear gloss lacquer and the final product looks like this:
Ta Da! I loved this project, and might have started collecting some small pieces of furniture that people have left on the side of the road. One person's trash is another one's treasure, right?? I keep trying to tell that to Steve. He is not very happy that I have started bringing stinky old furniture home. But it has so much potential!! You just wait, I will turn them all into masterpieces.

Girl On Swing

2010-07-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

I've recently become addicted to Bravo's new show, "Work of Art". It's like Project Runway, only the contestants compete to create the best piece of fine art based on that week's theme. I would absolutely love to be a part of something like that, so I've decided to begin a similar experiment with my art group. Every week we will choose a theme which each person will interpret into their own piece of art. We will then post all the finished pieces to be viewed and critiqued. I am most interested in seeing how different people interpret things in different ways- so anyone interested in participating is welcome. This week's theme: FEAR. I have a bunch of ideas, and I think I have it narrowed down to one. My goal is to use my own personal fears to envoke the emotion of fear unto the viewer- without being too literal.

I'm also continuing to work on more pieces for my upcoming shows. This is another burning based on an old family photograph. I love the innocent and pure memory that it captures- I still love swinging on a swing set to this day. I added an 'Alice in Wonderland' element with the mushrooms and red rose gardens surrounding her.

2010-06-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

This beautiful zen table is made of ash with contrasting inlay squares made of wenge. The top piece is very thick- and very heavy! I only dropped it on my finger once...and it has since healed, thank you for asking.

This amazing, one of a kind sofa table is made of zebra wood. I coated it with many, many, many layers of gloss laquer and then it was buffed to create that glassy look. The legs are metal, and were welded to fit the top.

(I was unfortunately unable to be there during final assembly of these pieces...my very good friend Andrea was getting married the next day, and I had to leave early for the rehearsal dinner. Congrats to Andrea and Mike, our newest happily married couple! You both looked amazing!)

The Perfect Couple

2010-06-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here is my newest piece, "The Perfect Couple". This was burned onto an old cherry kitchen cabinet that we were replacing. I kept a few of them- I really like the tone I get with the warm cherry wood. (We have since made all new cabinets for our customer's beautiful kitchen!) The image is from an old photograph of my great grandparents at their summer home on Martha's Vineyard. I remember driving by the house as a child while on vacation. My mother told us how she had spent every summer vacation there as a child with her family. The property has since been sold.

I call this The Perfect Couple because they both look so content and relaxed, enjoying the simple life. I love the feeling of just sitting on a porch on a beautiful day with the people you love- no phones, no computer, just you and the summer breeze.

Come see this, and all of my other work this weekend at The Providence Art Festival on Saturday, June 12! I will be there from 10:30 am until 6 pm. Afterwards you can enjoy the Providence Waterfires in downtown Providence. See you there!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

2010-03-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

It has been raining for 40 days and 40 nights, and luckily my boss is a skilled woodworker and is building an ark. Anyone with animals is urged to contact us right away. Ok so maybe it's not THAT bad, but I might have forgotten what the sun looks like. Evidently it's the worst flood Rhode Island has seen in hundreds of years. The basement got a bit puddled, and closed roads made it a terrible trek home, but other than that we got away pretty easily. At least it forced me to clean out the garage (which was getting a little out of hand) and was also housing all my artwork. Fortunately, it all seemed to avoid getting wet.

On a happier note, here is my latest piece. This is Trinity church in Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard. You will see this and much more of my work at Gallery X on April 17. Opening reception is from 7-9, so come on by and drink some wine and see some fabulous artwork by me, and the rest of the Southern New England Artist Community (SNAC). See you there!

Women With Car

2010-02-11T17:25:00.001-08:00

I've finished a few more pieces for my upcoming show on April 17th at Gallery X in New Bedford. This one is from another old family photo and is burned on 10"x 8" baltic birch. The last few pieces have been just as small, (including another one I haven't posted yet) so my next piece is going to be a bit bigger.

I've been working on some new kitchen cabinets for work, and this past week I've been taking off the old ones. I snagged a few that have a nice decorative arch on them that I think will make for the perfect burning. I think doing some pieces on some cool found objects (wooden of course, such as the cabinets) will really liven things up for a while. Maybe an old violin or guitar will be next? Who knows...feel free to send me any old items you may have up in the attic that would make for a great woodburning masterpiece...

My New Venture in Furniture Making...

2010-01-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

The past few months I've been working with a cabinet maker and learning all about furniture making. It's a great step forward for me, and I'm really enjoying it. I still feel very new at it and am facing new challenges every day, but I'm quite determined to become great at it. I'm looking forward to the day when I have the skill set to go in the shop and make my own furniture from beginning to end. You'll recognize them from the beautiful woodburnings that will decorate them. I still have a ways to go. But until then, here are some pictures of some pieces we've been working on.

This is a gorgeous mantlepiece that has been one of our main projects for the past few months. The installation took about two weeks and was a huge eye opener for me, as I was still very new to the whole process. I think it came out amazing, and am very proud to have been a part of it.

This corner cabinet was strategically designed to hide the part of the mantlepiece that protruded from the other side of the wall from the living room into the dining area. It has a distressed finish that we created by...well, that's a secret. You might recognize this look on the frames I made for my artwork. The antique style compliments the woodburnings perfectly, as well as this corner cabinet.

Finally we have this cherry vanity. I think the finish on this came out absolutely gorgeous- it's hard to tell from the photo, but it is so shiny and smooth, it's almost like glass. So as you can see, I've been a little busy. More woodburning artwork coming soon!

Woman In Garden

2009-11-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

Here is my next woodburning from the same series (see below). I love her pose, the shape of her body made for a great composition and flow of the piece. I'm not exactly sure who this is, there was no info written on the back of the photo. Maybe a great aunt? If this doesn't top the Mona Lisa, I don't know what will!

Old Family Photo Album

2009-11-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

Come on now, who doesn't love puppies? I recently came across some old family photos dating from over a hundred years ago. I've always loved old fashioned photos, and judging from their remarkably good condition, these albums must have been tucked away for quite some time. Girl with Puppy is part of a woodburning series from the family album. More coming soon! Be sure to come check out these new pieces at the Viking Hotel's Christmas Craft and Artisan show on Saturday, November 28th!
1 Bellevue Ave. Newport, RI 10am to 5pm. See you there!

Portsmouth, RI

2009-10-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

A quaint little windmill in Portsmouth, RI. The water was a bit of a challenge for me, but I think it panned out alright. Thanks to family friend, John Hopf for letting me use his photography for inspiration. Happy Birthday to John, who turned 90 this week. (Or 89...he's not really sure.)
Hand woodburned on 12"x12" baltic birch.

Newport Sculpture By The Water

2009-09-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my next piece from Newport. It was a beautiful, sunny day outside so I dragged Steve with me once again to go take some more photographs. The weather is definitely starting to get cooler, so I'm trying to take advantage of these nice days we've been having. Soon all the flowers and leaves will be all gone- but pumpkins are starting to pop up, so I'm thinking of doing some fall inspired burnings in October. Look for this and my other work at the Scituate Art Festival coming up in just a few weeks!
Woodburning on Baltic Birch, 13"x10"

Cinque Terre, Italy

2009-09-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine goes on a sailing trip every year, and always comes back with some amazing photographs from around the world. This one he took in Cinque Terre, Italy, and has been hanging on his office wall for years. I asked him if I could use it for my next masterpiece - and here it is. Enjoy! To purchase this item or to see more of my work, visit my online store at Etsy.com!

Rosecliff Statue

2009-09-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

I've always loved visiting the gorgeous mansions in Newport, RI. Every summer growing up, we would take a drive along scenic Ocean Drive and take a tour of one of the multi-million dollar historical homes on Bellevue Ave. This summer, Steve and I visited Rosecliff for the Garden Show. I had him take a picture of this beautiful statue out on the lawn with it's huge flower arrangement. I love this style, and hope to go back soon to take some more pictures of the beautiful flowers and statues in Newport to add to this collection. Hand woodburned on 13.5"x9.5" oval.

2009-08-07T23:27:00.000-07:00

Think of something you've recieved in your life that means a great deal to you. An old family heirloom, a hand made dinner from a loved one (even if it was a bit burnt); an artfully crafted love letter from the seventh grade. These things are irreplaceable because they are more than meaningless objects that you would buy at a store. They are given with love and hold unique memories that can never be replaced. Give your loved ones a gift that would live on, being passed down from generation to generation; something that will remind them of the memories we once had and want to hold on to. By now you have given many gifts for weddings, birthdays and Christmas, right? This time choose something that holds more than just a space in their home; have something created that will hold a place in their heart. Email me today at NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com to complete your order today!

2009-07-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

This is a wood burning I did for a wedding gift. A friend of mine got engaged in front of Cinderella's Castle in Disney World, and luckily she had posted a picture of the proposal on facebook that I used as a starting point for the piece. I wish them both a happily ever after...

Small Salad Bowls!

2009-07-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Get 4 of these adorable bowls to go with the larger serving bowl and you have the perfect set! Perfect for salad, fruit, or whatever you may be serving up this summer. Purchase one of the designs you see here, or have a set custom made just for you. Visit my online store by clicking below.

http://www.napierwoodburning.etsy.com/

Fruits and Veggies Decorative Bowl

2009-07-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

Makes a perfect centerpiece, or use it as a serving bowl. Features a detailed rim of fruits and vegetables. Makes a great wedding gift- simply have their names and wedding date burned into the bottom of the bowl. Purchase this design or request your own by visiting my online store:

http://www.napierwoodburning.etsy.com/

More Coasters!

2009-07-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

These red oak coasters feature Cherry Blossoms, Red Sox, and Wine designs. Each comes in a set of 4. Purchase one of these designs, or have them custom made with your favorite sports team or to match your home decor. Visit my online store for more options.

http://www.NapierWoodburning.etsy.com

Wine and Grapes Cutting Board

2009-07-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

This beautiful bamboo cutting board features a classic image of wine and grapes. Would be perfect for serving cheese with your wine, or simply hang it on the wall. To purchase this Wine and Grapes cutting board online, follow the link below.

http://www.napierwoodburning.etsy.com/

Lobster Cutting Board by NapierWoodburning!

2009-06-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

The perfect decorative addition to any new england home. Makes a great wallhanging! 15"x 8" made from beautiful bamboo. Purchase this Lobster Cutting Board by clicking here:

http://www.NapierWoodburning.etsy.com

Decorative Fruit Bowl By NapierWoodburning!

2009-06-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

A beautiful and useful addition to your kitchen or dining room. Makes the perfect centerpiece! It's natural wood and dark brown burnt tones go with any decor. This rim design features a beautiful floral pattern. Have another design you would like? No problem! Contact me today to have this item customized, or purchase the one you see here by clicking below:

www.NapierWoodburning.etsy.com

NapierWoodburning at Bridgewater's 4th of July Arts Festival!

2009-06-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Come visit my booth at the 4th of July Celebration at Bridgewater's Arts Festival in Bridgewater, MA. See some great artwork and put in an order for your own custom item by NapierWoodburning! Need to purchase a gift for a wedding this summer? Get the perfect gift personalized with NapierWoodburning. See you there! See schedule below.

10:00 a.m. - Parade
11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Artisans, Music Festival & Food Court - at School Street and at Boyden Hall, Bridgewater State College

Coasters! By NapierWoodburning

2009-06-10T12:36:00.001-07:00

Introducing a new item from NapierWoodburning - Coasters! These examples feature a classic RI scenic view (left), and a stylish geometric pattern (right). Have something in mind that you would like on a set of coasters? A favorite sports team? Something to match your home decor? Makes a great housewarming gift! Email me today with your request, or click here to purchase one of the sets shown: http://www.NapierWoodburning.etsy.com

NapierWoodburning Items Now Available on Etsy.com!

2009-05-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.NapierWoodburning.etsy.com

Just click on the link above to visit my online store at Etsy.com. Check, money order or Paypal accepted. Keep checking back here and Etsy.com for additional artwork coming soon! And remember, if you would like to commission a custom piece of art for your home or office, email me today at NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com.

Tribal Giraffe Jewelry Box by NapierWoodburning

2009-05-23T17:37:00.000-07:00

This Jewelry Box features an adorable tribal giraffe design with 3D leaves. Order today! NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com

Personalized Jewelry Boxes by NapierWoodburning

2009-05-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

Makes a perfect gift! Customize it with a design that fits her personality, then add her innitials to make it truly unique. This jewelry box features a tribal butterfly design on top with the innitials on the front.

Coming soon- another great gift idea for the men in your family- Customized Humidors.

Complete your order today by emailing me at NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com.

Scituate Art Festival

2009-05-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it back to Rhode Island from San Diego in 4 days! Lots of driving and lots of kitties crying in the back seat. But everyone made it home in one piece. Upon my arrival, I had a wonderful piece of news waiting in my mailbox. I have been accepted into the Scituate Art Festival! Very exciting- all you Rhode Islanders of course know all about it, but for those of you who don't, it's a huge arts and crafts festival that takes place in my hometown every year on Columbus Day weekend. So I will be working hard all summer to make some awesome artwork for display in October. I will expect everyone to drop by- no excuses! And anyone who brings by a candy apple or some Del's lemonade (watermelon is my favorite, but plain will do) gets a bonus gift from NapierWoodburning. See you all there!

-Melissa

PS And of course if you or someone you know would like to commission a beautiful piece of artwork for your home, bar, or place of work please contact me at NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com

Decorative Bowl and Plate

2009-04-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

I'm leaving beautiful San Diego tomorrow for a cross country trip. Destination; Rhode Island. I have had such a wonderful experience the past 6 months here on the West Coast and hope to come back real soon!! I have met some really great people and I hope we will keep in touch.

Back on the East Coast I plan on spending the summer on the bay, working diligently on my woodburning. Be on the lookout for some great new stuff- coasters, jewelry boxes, bowls and of course some more beautiful pieces of furniture. Here is a taste of what is to come; this decorative wooden bowl with matching plate was made for my brother and his wife. Hope you enjoy it, and remember these can make great gifts! Birthdays, weddings, and if you are looking for a unique Christmas gift this year for someone special, be sure to get your order in early- it takes time to create each customized piece. I also hope to be at some New England festivals and art fairs this fall- I will keep you posted on the schedules. Thanks everyone for your support, and remember to contact me with any questions, or just to say hello, at NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com.

-Melissa

Landscape on Side Table

2009-04-05T23:26:00.000-07:00

It all started in my small apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I had been working as an animator for about four years. Every evening after a long day of work at my computer, I would come home to my apartment yearning to do something more creative with my free time; something to replace my evening television marathons. Just as we all do, I was searching for passion and fulfillment. So I racked my brain for new ideas and inspiration that would keep my creative juices flowing. I really wanted to think of something outside of the box; something different, something no one had seen before. Then one day it popped into my head; woodburning! The very next day I took myself to the local art store and purchased myself a woodburner. I just needed to find something to burn. A plain old piece of wood just seemed boring and obvious, but what else could I do? Furniture! Off to Craigslist. I went to search for the perfect piece. I bought my first side table for 6 dollars from a college student in Boston. A few experimental sketches of some simple floral designs, and I was ready to get started. Three tables later, I think my roommates were really starting to enjoy the small collection of furniture slowly building up in our living room, the stacks of sandpaper, and the cans of stain and paint brushes scattered about. A few weeks later, I had them posted for sale on Craigslist with my fingers crossed. Success! A young man came one night and picked up all three. Next came a bench, and another set of side tables all purchased by a wonderful woman in the business of homestaging in the Boston area.

It is now a year later and I've decided to take the plunge to see what can happen. My goal is not to just bring new furniture into people's homes, but to give them a beautiful piece of artwork and a great conversation piece that will accent their own individual space. Whether it be a beautiful landscape for a living room overlooking the mountains or an underwater scene for a bedroom in a beach house. Whatever your style, whatever your taste, my goal is to create something wonderful that you will love and admire everytime you walk into a room. Art doesn't have to be something you simply hang on a wall, it can be a much bigger part of your everyday life, and most importantly, customized just for YOU! Every piece is made very carefully with impeckable craftsmanship. Bring something new to an old piece of furniture that's been hanging around your house, or get a completely new piece to go with your latest decor. Whatever your need, it is my goal to make it happen! Take a look below at my latest transformation:

If you are interested in a beautiful piece of artwork for your home, please contact me at NapierWoodburning@yahoo.com, and we can get started! Be sure to check back frequently for my latest work, or to see your own piece in progress.

Best,

Melissa Napier