This hand-painted and stenciled piece of art by Maine-based artist Michele Sturgis has a story to tell. 

Michele says of her work: "In my art, I seek to celebrate all things overlooked. My goal is to reveal that everything, even discarded items like this wood board, hold value & beauty. In this piece of wood, stories are told by each who have laid hands on it. Be it the sawyer, planer, sander or painter, each has shared their own beautiful energy with this piece of wood. I believe this amazing energy stays & is embodied in each piece. This beautiful white pine board was part of a home built in 1724 in Swanzey, NH. If you look closely at the back, you can see the paint outline of stair treads. Imagine how many little feet also shared their energy with this board! The home was lovingly dismantled, catalogued & resurrected as the new welcome center at the Desert of Maine. A few board pieces were not needed in the rebuilding process, so I seek to honor them in my art process. Using quality acrylic stencil paints, I seek to celebrate New England folk artists from the early 1800’s. Some stencils are used in the likeness of Moses Eaton & Rufus Porter’s original designs. I simply add my own whimsical energy in completing each piece."

The piece measures 8”H x 16”W x 7/8”D and is sealed, signed & mounted for hanging.