Tuesday Treasures - August 26, 2025

I had books in my hold list at the library, but they weren't in yet.  I needed something to read!  So, off to the Goodwill Bins where books are 25¢ each.  Some days no books, but this time there were lots.  I did have to dig for them though, no bin dedicated to just books.  

  In the general salvage bins I rescued two pieces of art.  Three, but one was a true rescue to donate to St. Vincent de Paul and not something I'm keeping.  As the two I kept were not framed, they were light, and at $1.89 per pound, cost was minimal.

One, this Gond (they refer to themselves as Kōītōr) painting from central India.  The Gond tribal community is known for these vibrant paintings with dots and dashes reminiscent of Australian indigenous art.  This one is two lions (note the tuft on the end of the tail, tigers don't have tufted tails) and is dated 2011. 15" x 11"  Just floating around in the bins, fortunately only getting one small tear that doesn't touch the painting, and a slight crease.

 The artist is Gariba (Gareeba) Singh Tekam.  Gond artists have what is known as signature patterns, and one of his is the Trishul, the three consecutive lines.  If you look at the example given in the link you see identical three line patterns, as well as the white ovals.  Plus, the signature matches others of his works.  I couldn't read it, but AI could.  It matches!

Mine:

Other online:

Now that I've identified the artist, I'm even more excited I found it!  

The second is  Stella Blue, a numbered print, 336/1000.  1000 is considered a large print quantity, although it has been hand-signed on the mat, not in the plate.  It was done in 1984, and the artist's signature isn't one I have made out.  Stella Blue is a depiction of Stela #16 in Tikal, Guatemala.   Stella Blue is also a famous song by the Grateful Dead, which makes researching this print a bit difficult!  Perhaps the name was a pun or in joke on the word stela (or stele), or the song was an artist favorite. 

It was tucked into two zippered plastic bags, one on each end, buried under salvage.  I make it a habit to check out bags.  My son found a working Fitbit in a paper bag once.  While it was triple matted, I found a frame at St. Vincent de Paul for $1.75 that fit it with just two of the mats.  It's pictured here with just the one signed mat. 

My son was with me that day.  He got another projector.  Yes, another.  He has one from the bins and one that was my mother's. It had no bulb, but one of his other bulbs fit.  He could watch the vintage cartoons he bought at the flea market!  While this would be heavy at the per pound price, they don't charge per pound by heavy things like this.  The cashier just sets a price.  This was $4.00, less than paying electronics price of 89¢ a pound.