Thrift Store Painting Collaboration Continues - Judy Mandolf

I purchased a framed print by the artist Judy Mandolf from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, Minneapolis). The print, 'Purple Tub,' is part of a "bathroom series created through a combination of photography and computer techniques." The image shows a purple/blue bathtub in a yellow/green bathroom…

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Thrift Store painting collaboration continues...

I purchased a painting by the artist Guerra from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store on 06/10/2023. The landscape painting shows a tropical beach with a lighthouse on the right side. Priced: $1.99.
I painted a rubber flamingo (plastic flamingo?) on the piece and returned this ‘new’ artwork back to the same thrift store on 07/08/2023, around 2:00pm. A successful collaboration! Thanks, Guerra, for your contribution to the work!

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A Very Special Episode opens this Friday, June 23, 2023

It’s happening… here is the show card for the group exhibition I am participating in at Gallery 1988 .
Opening June 23, 2023; 7-10pm - 355 N. Fairfax Ave. Los Angeles, CA.
Curated by Steve Seeley, the exhibition showcases the work of 40 artists from around the country…

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Thrift Store painting collaboration continues - Albert Bierstadt

On April 18, 2023 I purchased a framed painting (print on canvas) from St. Vincent de Paul- Twin Cities Thrift Store at 2939 12th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407. The image depicts an idyllic mountainous landscape with a family of deer standing in the foreground by the edge of a clear blue lake. No signature.

My research online of the work led me to discover that the picture is based on an oil painting by the artist Albert Bierstadt

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Caught! - Thanks Hidden Treasures Thrift Store for the Review

For the last two years I have been periodically purchasing landscape paintings at my local thrift store, painting a rubber duck on them, and then returning the painting back to the same thrift store with the hope that someone will purchase it. I kept a low profile about it as I wasn’t sure where this venture would lead me. My hope was that someday I could make an easter egg-like hunt out of the whole thing and maybe inspire people to play along. Who knows… maybe make some actual money too!

Time passed…

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Thrift store painting collaboration continues...

I purchased a painting (print on board) by the artist Brett James Smith at Savers (4849 Central Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN). The painting, entitled "Morning Encounter," shows a man throwing a duck decoy from his boat into a lake. Purchase price: $2.99 
I painted a rubber duck on the painting, and then returned this "new" artwork back to the same thrift store on 03/19/2023, around 4:21pm. A successful collaboration!

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Thrift store painting collaboration continues! - R. Sutherland

I purchased a painting by the artist R. Sutherland at Hidden Treasures Thrift Store in NE Minneapolis. I painted a rubber duck on the painting, and then returned this 'new' painting to the same thrift store on 02/05/2023, around 11:10am. 

A successful collaboration! Thanks to R. Sutherland for your contribution to the work.

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Thrift store painting collaboration continues! - Norman Rockwell

I purchased a painting by the artist Norman Rockwell (print on canvas) from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, St Anthony, MN) on 10/30/2022. The painting depicts a boy fishing/sleeping next to his dog, 10x8”. Priced: $3.99. I painted a rubber duck wearing bunny ears and holding an egg on the piece and then returned this “new” artwork to the same thrift store on 11/27/2022, around 11:56am.

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Thrift Store Paintings continue!

I purchased a painting by the artist Robert Wood (print on canvas) from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, Saint Anthony, MN) on 06/03/2022. A serene landscape of a mill and winding meadow. Titled ‘Mill Stream.’’
I painted a rubber duck (dressed as a bride) on the painting and then returned this “new” artwork back to the same thrift store on 06/25/2022, around 12pm.

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Thrift Store Paintings continue!

I purchased a painting (print on canvas) by the artist Norman Rockwell from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, Saint Anthony, MN) on 04/30/2022. The painting depicts a boy pouring medicine into a spoon for his sick dog. Priced: $3.99

I painted a rubber duck on the painting and then returned this “new” artwork to the same thrift store of purchase on 05/09/2022. Around 6pm CT.

A successful collaboration! Thanks Norm for your contribution to the work.

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Thrift Store Paintings Continue...

I purchased a painting by the artist Guy Coheleach from Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, Saint Anthony, MN 55418) on 01/05/2022. A landscape painting with flying ducks (nature is a running theme in this part of the country). Priced: $6.99

I painted a rubber duck on the painting, and then returned this ‘new’ artwork to the same thrift store on 01/15/2022, around 2pm.

A successful collaboration!!

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Thrift store paintings continue!

I purchased a framed painting (actually a print) a few weeks ago at Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2915 Pentagon Dr, St Anthony, MN) by the artist Tan Chun C. I added a rubber duck to the piece and then returned it to the same thrift store on October 11, 2021. I went with a Pilgrim rubber duck because… well, it seemed to fit well with the color scheme. Images below highlight the process.

Thanks to the artist Tan Chun C, wherever you are, for collaborating with me on this project!

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Couple more pictures from the scene of the crime - painting on thrift store paintings

Last week I purchased a framed print (print of a painting) by Hugh Knollys, titled ‘Red Jacket’ (which I am assuming is the name of the ship). The painting/print cost around $3.00. I chose this particular piece because it was available, but also because I felt that there was room for collaboration. A rubber duck was painted on the print and then the piece was returned to Hidden Treasures Thrift Store on April 17, 2021, 4:30pm. (2915 Pentagon Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55418)

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New work - Rubber duck painted on purchased thrift store painting, then returned

One of the side projects I am working on is purchasing art at thrift stores, painting something on it, and then returning it. It was an idea I got from the artist Steve Seeley back in graduate school a long time ago, but the idea has been festering inside of me ever since. Since there are a lot of thrift stores in Minneapolis… well, it felt like maybe now was the time to finally move on it.

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