Meet the Artist: Giving Furniture a Fresh Face

The Needham Merchants Association's brings together local artists, businesses and organizations in an effort to draw more people downtown and encourage them to shop local.

Placed throughout downtown Needham, each Adirondack chair has its own theme and was painted by a local artist. The chairs will be auctioned off at an event in September, with proceeds to benefit town beautification projects and local students.

Needham Patch will be profiling some of the artists behind these creations throughout the summer. Today, we chat with Marcia Michelson, whose relaxing creation can be found in the window of .

For a full list of chairs, artists and locations, .

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Title: "Relax"
Artist: Marcia Michelson
Sponsored by: Perennial Designs
Find it at: Perennial Designs, 117 Chapel St.

Why did you decide to participate in this project? I love to work on furniture—new or old. It is very satisfying to start with something raw or dated and transform it into something new with some paint and texture.

What was your inspiration for the piece? Nancy Wright, as owner of Perennial Designs, has created a store with such a beautiful array of color tones and textures, and I wanted the chair to reflect the rustic elegance achieved by her silk flowers paired with vintage displays and salvaged items. I wanted the chair to look like it had evolved over time and was planked with some reclaimed woods. An Adirondack chair—to me—invites relaxation, so I added the old copper type letters to spell out "relax."

What is your background as an artist? I have been a decorative painter for 15 years working on faux wall finishes and furniture pieces. I love to layer colors for texture and think a great painted furniture piece brings warmth and interest to modern day decors. We all have those dated hand-me-down pieces of furniture stuck in our basement that can be made new again with some fresh paint and creativity.

Where can someone see more of your work? I have some beach themed wall decor at Perennial Designs. Clients interested in a consult on furniture or design can reach me via email at marciamichel@aol.com.  

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Click here to read more profiles of "A Chair To Remember" artists.