For several years now, I have participated in the Mayne Island November Studio Tour. This year I will host the open studio event in the Terrill Welch Gallery at 478 Village Bay Rd. from 11 – 4 on Fri. Sat. and Sun. November 10th to 12th 2017. This morning I zipped down and gave everything a little tidying up after hefting, with help, a new approximately 350 year old addition to the gallery room. Can you spot it?
Let’s get a little closer and see if that helps….
Yes! It is a 1660s wooden trunk or more accurately a Charles II oak coffer complete with iron loop hinges.
It will be used to store smaller paintings that are 16-18 inches on one side. And this weekend there will a few 2018 Mayne Island Landscape calendars, tote bags and throw pillows gracing the plank top. I have brought these items in, along with a refreshed collection of greeting cards, special for the studio tour from my Redbubble storefront that you are also most welcome to visit and place your orders from directly. But back to the wooden trunk! I tried to find out what it may have originally be used. It seems it could have held many household items as it was the storage of choice before the dresser bureau was designed. They were made everywhere at the time by carpenters and not cabinet makers – think strong and sturdy rather than elegant, decorative and finely finished.
I am absolute fascinated with old working pieces of furniture! I can spend hours imagining where this coffer was first made and the many adventures it had before we purchased it in Victoria British Columbia some 350 years later. Can you imagine the conversations it has heard? The secrets and confessions? The laughter and tears? Oh! I get shivers just thinking about it!
What story might this wooden trunk tell about you in another 350 years?
© 2017 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
Liberal usage granted with written permission. See “About” for details.
Creative Potager – Visit with painter and photographer Terrill Welch
From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
For gallery and purchase information about Terrill’s photographs and paintings go to http://terrillwelchartist.com
Creative Potager 
Terrill — I know with certainty that you’re going to have a wonderful time hosting the studio tour at the Terrill Welch Gallery. Oh. How. FUN!
I think it shall be Laurie… wouldn’t just like to be hiding in the trunk listening? Well, maybe after swallowing a shrinking potion so as not to get too stiff! 🙂
You have such a beautiful studio, the perfect place to house your beautiful artwork. And I love that chests too. What a treasure! Yes, I’m sure it could tell so many delicious stories. It’s probably very happy to find new purpose and to rest in such peaceful surroundings.
I think so too Deborah… It seemed very pleased with the 80 or so Gallery visitors this weekend. We both are! And thank you, the gallery feels just right and a prefect place to spread my wings away from the home studio.
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