Uncategorized — 1 comment
19
Jun 09
We’re a grandmother/granddaughter team from Maplewood, NJ — check out our About Us and How We Work pages for more info, respectively, on us and our sales policies. We’re most interested in local buyers, but we are willing to ship to just about anywhere. We have at least a thousand paintings at our disposal — if you have something in mind but don’t see it on the site, just ask! Our collection is mostly 19th and 20th century painting of all genres, but we also have prints, woodcuts, watercolors… let us know if anything strikes your fancy by either leaving a comment or sending us an email at soniasbasement@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Sonia & Emma
PS: Check us out on NYT’s “The Local” blog here!
Uncategorized — No comments
16
Sep 09
At the end of August, I returned to Annapolis to start my sophomore year at St. John’s College, which means Sonia’s Basement is on hiatus for a little while. I will be coming back to NJ about once a month, so if you have any requests (and a bit of patience) I’d be happy to hear from you and set up an appointment. Thanks for your support!
- Emma
Uncategorized — No comments
18
Aug 09
Hi! Sorry for the recent lull in posts, I have about seven more paintings to post over the next day or two. I leave for school next Tuesday so act quick — but I’ll also be coming back to Maplewood about once a month during the year if you see something you just need but can’t make it within the next week. Sonia has been teaching me how to clean and restore paintings, and here’s a picture of her showing me how to fill in canvas with polymer after patching a tear:
More paintings coming soon! And as ever, don’t be shy about dropping us a line.
Uncategorized — No comments
04
Aug 09
Antique wood gilded wood frame, good condition.
A pleasant picture with a fine-looking sailboat on the left. Picture’s in good condition, as is the frame. Much like the previous small seascape, the frame really enhances this picture – it has some wear on the upper right corner, but nothing serious. I love the lines in this picture – the way the wall starts in the lower left corner and curves its way to the upper right, drawing your eye to the row of trees which gradually fade into the mountains in the background. $12.99
A note on small paintings:
I want you to think for a second about where you can fit these paintings – in the hallway leading to the stairs, in your office flanking your computer, in your bedroom by the endtable – they’re really versatile, especially if you get two or three (or four!) small paintings and cluster them in a specific spot, maybe forming a frame for a sculpture or vase. My parents have something similar going on with several small pieces around a statue, mostly from the Subcontinent and East Asia, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the downstairs.)
Uncategorized — No comments
04
Aug 09
Gilded antique frame, some wear on outer corners.
A man in black, looking dapper, head turned over his shoulder. The simplicity of his cape and scarf are contrasted with the detailed depiction of his walking stick and the attention paid to his (somewhat puzzling) facial expression. Definitely a bold painting, but not overwhelming owing to the small size of the picture. Great for rooms with more modern art or East Asian-influenced décor. $14.99
Uncategorized — No comments
04
Aug 09
Venetian Gondolas, 7” x 9”, carved wood frame.
A lovely little picture of a canal full of gondolas, lots of movement. This is a color print, possibly of an old photograph, and has some small water damage in the upper left and right corners but doesn’t pop out at the viewer save on close inspection. The frame really makes this picture, and it’s very versatile; this piece can fit in with more classical 19th century paintings or with modern pieces with strong, thick lines with ease – plus, any of these small paintings are great clustered together in a hallway or living-room wall. $12.99SOLD
Uncategorized — No comments
04
Aug 09
Wooden frame with some water damage (flaking) on the bottom and top left.
I don’t even know where to start, because I love this so much I nearly kept it for myself instead of posting it here. The text on the bottom reads: “WASHINGTON’S RECEPTION BY THE LADIES, ON PASSING THE BRIDGE AT TRENTON, N.J. 1789. ON HIS WAY TO NEW YORK TO BE INAUGURATED FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”
For reasons beyond my comprehension, only selected portions of this print were colorized – the ladies’ flowers, the future President’s jacket and saddle, and of course, the American flag. I’m still dumbstruck. I think this speaks for itself. (It whispers to me, it says… “I am TOTALLY RAD.” Thanks, talking print.) Perfect for anyone with a little bit of state pride, an interest in history, or love of the ladies. Anyone I missed? $39.99
Uncategorized — No comments
31
Jul 09
That’s us on The Local, a blog for the Maplewood/South Orange area hosted by the New York Times.
Also, one of the things we haven’t been emphasizing on this website so far is the size of our collection. I don’t mean to brag or nothin’, but if you have a hankering for a specific type of painting, or just something you don’t see on the site, please drop us a line!
In the video, you can get an idea for the enormity of ye olde basement… there’s no way I could possibly post listings of all our paintings! But if you ask for something (1970s hard edges, 1800s portraiture, botanical prints, old full-size Prince Valiant strips) I will put on my hard hat and find the paintings you need.
Uncategorized — No comments
27
Jul 09
Antique frame, 2” around, good condition.
Vibrant flowers pop against a black background. This is a small piece, great for home or office alike. The frame on this one is really lovely, and sure to win compliments. A fine way to liven up any space on the cheap! (Plus, if you want to mount a painting in your office or dorm room or anywhere where you can’t put a nail in the wall, these 3m adhesive hangers are awesome.) $12.99 SOLD
Uncategorized — No comments
27
Jul 09
Rustic wooden frame, good condition.
The bold lines of her hair and dress combined with the plump, rosy cheek and downward glance combine to give the impression of a strong woman who is hearty and hale, and very much alive. The yellows and oranges surrounding her in the background add to this effect, fading into gray-green at the edges. $28.99 SOLD
Uncategorized — 1 comment
24
Jul 09
Cloth-covered frame with stain on left side.
I’m not exactly sure if this is a watercolor, though that’s my best guess. I do know that it is a wonderful blur of movement, with thick, bold lines and intense bursts of color; in other words, it really captures the orchestrated frenzy of choreographed dance. The frame is not in great shape, sadly, and the stain on the cloth of the frame looks like oil paint or something similarly stubborn. The painting is signed; to me it looks like “V. Pzthnfe” which probably isn’t right. $18.99