Vintage Romance
I recently reminisced about my first encounter with vintage treasures. It was during my childhood, spent at my grandparents' ranch. Nestled amidst the sprawling land was their old ranch house, a relic of the past, abandoned after all six of their daughters had flown the nest. It seemed as if they had hastily packed their belongings and relocated to a trailer on the property, leaving behind a time capsule of memories.
Exploring the forgotten corners of the ranch house was a journey back in time for me. Each box I opened unveiled a world that existed decades before my birth. I would carefully unpack one box at a time, eager to discover its hidden treasures. Among my favorites were the dresses worn by my mother and her sisters. As I held them up, I couldn't help but marvel at how petite they must have been in their youth. The fabrics were sturdy, the stitches precise—testaments to a bygone era when garments were crafted by hand. It always surprised me to find no tags; my grandmother explained that most of the dresses were lovingly sewn by her and her daughters. The thought of not simply buying a disposable dress from a store like K-mart was unimaginable to me.
Other boxes contained books, each one emitting a nostalgic scent that piqued my curiosity. That musky aroma would linger in my mind for years to come, offering comfort in moments of solitude. The books themselves were treasures of a different kind, with their beautiful covers and textured pages. Flipping through them was an explosion of the senses. In those days, the idea of defacing these precious volumes never crossed my mind. Yet now, I find myself drawn to paint on their pages, unable to resist the urge to add my own touch. My husband has learned to caution me before I wield my brush, a result of one too many cherished books meeting an untimely fate. But even with his warnings, my passion for breathing new life into old books persists.
Today, I continue to seek out vintage books—whether through online purchases, antique shops, or thoughtful gifts from friends. Each new addition to my collection fills my heart with love, possibility, and endless inspiration.
Tips for using old books and papers
Lower your expectations as far as the paper working exactly like watercolor paper.
If you want paper with a higher cotton/rag content look for papers/books from the 1700-1800s.
Use watercolor ground. I apply it in thin layers and let it set for 24 hours or more.
Always test the papers. When I receive a new book I test the paper with watercolors to see how it reacts. I try different brushes and techniques to see what it can do.
Sometimes I like to look at the date on the ledger and look up what happened that day in history. This has really been fun because I have learned so much that I would have never found in a history book. Also, I feel like it honors and connects me, on a deeper level, to the art I create on these pages.
Purchasing old books and papers
Always consider your budget. Some of these books can be expensive but some are as inexpensive as $1.00.
Remember to not be attached to the outcome, expectations. I have spent hundreds of dollars on a book and it arrives and I am not in love with the paper because I had already seen its future before I tested it out. Let the book and papers tell you what it can do and you will never be disappointed.
Look for patina, texture, font, and size.
If buying ledgers make sure to look at how many pages have writing. I like both but I prefer to have writing.
Research the book. Once I bought a ledger that was associated with a racist group. When the book arrive, I know this sounds odd, but I could feel something was off. I researched and found out what they were about. I talked with a friend about it and we decided that I should get rid of anything with their organization name and/or any comments that would offend. Then I made something beautiful out of something rooted in ugly.
Research the book part two. Some religious books should not be destroyed. Even if I do not believe in the faith of the book I still respect the faith of another. I will research their beliefs surrounding the documents. Example : Bibles are not something I would not tear up because it goes against some religious beliefs but books about religion are not. This is your discretion. (Side note: I do tear up religious music books.)