Shutter Art Appraisal

Paige DeBell Heron Painting on Architectural Shutter Salvage

This piece is a unique mixed-media artwork by Paige DeBell, measuring 34 x 20 inches. It features a painting of two blue herons in a marsh or shallow water setting, surrounded by tall reeds and grasses. The birds are depicted with delicate brushstrokes, showing various shades of blue-gray and white feathers. The painting is integrated into an architectural salvage piece, specifically a repurposed shutter from a home affected by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The shutter frame is made of wood, displaying a distressed, cream-colored finish with obvious signs of age, including chipping paint, visible wood grain, and minor surface imperfections, indicating a deliberate shabby-chic or weathered aesthetic. What makes this piece particularly distinctive are the remnants of its original function: on the right side, there's an antique doorknob and escutcheon plate with an ornate, possibly brass or bronze, design, adding a three-dimensional element. A small brass or bronze plaque or nameplate is also affixed near the bottom right. The left side of the shutter retains its louvered structure, providing textural contrast to the central painted panel. The overall aesthetic suggests a blend of folk art, environmental art, and historical preservation. The craftsmanship, particularly the integration of dissimilar elements, is notable.