THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512060193
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04B EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS
CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
When Tina Louise picks up a brush and paints, the Welsh native is only following a family tradition.
``My paternal grandfather painted street paintings in chalk and sand, until he was discovered in London,'' she said, making quote marks with her fingers on the word ``discovered.'' He went on to become a seriously regarded artist who achieved recognition for his tile mosaics on buildings. An aunt paints botanical scenes.
Louise herself won a national art competition in Wales when she was 9. ``It was sponsored by Esso,'' she said. ``I painted a chrysanthemum.''
For now, Louise, 34, who has no formal training, is content to paint what she calls ``decorative and happy furniture.'' For the past year, Louise has offered her imaginative wares out of space rented at Bill's Flea Market, at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Kellam Road, on Saturdays and Sundays. She spends weekdays at home in her studio.
Other pieces of her decorative furniture can be seen in the Antiques and Collectibles Shop in Hampton and in galleries in Durham, N.C., and Washington, D.C.
``To be a successful, serious painter you have to be damn good - and too serious. At least, more serious than I am willing to be now,'' she said.
Louise cited other benefits to furniture painting. She can recycle - take a piece of furniture and rejuvenate it ``I hate to see things thrown away,'' she said.
Moreover, painted furniture enjoys a rich history. ``The concept goes back to Egypt,'' she said. ``It was important to the Dutch and in Colonial Williamsburg.
``It employs nature's colors and forms,'' she added, offering as an example a small table and chairs painted with an animal scene. The set sells for $300. Most of her work goes for $100 to $500 and is painted on commission, she said.
``Painting a table is more complex than painting on canvas,'' Louise said. ``The canvas is flat, whereas furniture isn't.
``I painted that table so that people can see something facing them from all four sides.''
Her current favorite is a black-and-white table. ``It looks like dots and lines at a glance, but if you look closely you see animals. Zebras, Dalmatians and the like.''
It is more physically demanding also. Louise sometimes has to disassemble the furniture to paint it, though she didn't have to with the jungle table and chairs.
She left Wales 11 years ago, the wife of an American serviceman. They lived on bases in the South Pacific and on Okinawa before moving to Virginia Beach six years ago.
Marital separation and cultural adaptation are among the transitions that Louise has undergone. Those experiences have shaped her creativity and provided a name for her business, The Outsiders.
``How did I come up with Outsiders? I am one. I paint furniture that's used outside. It describes my philosophy, too.
``I learned quite a bit about color from Japan. Colors have form and function in their work.''
Clare Greitzer, a local artist and friend, stopped by to see Louise on a recent Sunday. Greitzer envisions a bright future for her friend.
``One day, she'll be famous,'' said Greitzer. ``She might have to wait until after she dies, like a lot of other artists have.'
Both laughed at what some would call a morbid statement. ``I love eccentric people,'' said Louise, after Greitzer left. MEMO: For more information, call Outsiders at 464-5880.
ILLUSTRATION: Photos by GARY EDWARDS
This table, painted by Tina Louise, features a fanciful flock of
jungle creatures.
Artist Tina Louise, who sells her painted furniture at Bill's Flea
Market, discusses her creations with Howard Taylor.
by CNB