Southport Magazine

Two artists find beauty in dead trees

Story by Ami Brown

This month marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Florence that devastated parts of our local area and beyond. Southport residents, Donna and Russel Parisi decided to make beautiful art out of a bad situation, and one year later, these trees look amazing. 

With all the torrential rain that poured for days and days, the Parisi’s backyard got flooded, like so many. Three large holly trees in their back yard sat with wet soil for so long, they think the roots probably rotted in the sopping soil. 

They gave the trees plenty of time to dry out, but they were definitely dead, and not going to produce leaves again. The Parisis did some research, and decided to turn these 3 dead trees into works of art. 

They first cut back the canopy, for safety reasons, but they left some of the lower branches. They hand scraped all three trees down to a smooth surface. This was extremely time consuming and hard work.  The scraping took more than three weeks, but the result was well worth the wait. 

They chose exterior Sherwin Williams paint to make sure the colors would last. They ended up painting on two coats of each color. 

The bright greens, blues, teals, purples really stand out against the landscape, but somehow really work. The entire back yard is full of artistic pieces and colorful cushions and more than enough seating areas. This is one entertaining space that makes a statement. 

They restored salvaged iron and now it makes lovely garden sculptures to back up the outdoor space. The birdhouses are all over: some have beach cottage themes and all are vibrant and colorful, full of details. 

Donna and Russel moved to Southport a couple years ago from Woodstock, NY. (Another very artsy community) Russel actually went to the Woodstock music festival in 1969, and still has the jeans he wore to prove it. They are in a large frame along with a photo of him wearing them. Of course they are bell bottoms and full of patches, just like you would have expected. 

Donna was on the young side for the ‘69 Woodstock, but she did attend the 1994 concert to celebrate the 25 year anniversary. And Russel went to the ‘99 concert along with his 15-year-old son. 

They are both accomplished artists.  Donna worked for years as a sculptor in a doll shop and now she still sculpts and hand paints the birdhouses that Russel makes. And Russel worked with developmental disabled children, and recently retired. He started building birdhouses and he also paints on denim jackets. (Or any other type of material)  – See photo to left.

They both do a lot of custom work, and you can see their birdhouses on display every Wednesday at the morning market in Franklin Square Park. Their hobby has turned into a real business and they love every minute of it. 

Russel and Donna have truly artistic spirits and are feeling very home here in Southport. Being from Woodstock, NY they love the weather here and the water. 

A “Follow your dreams” sign hangs on one of the trees, and this artistic couple lives that every day.

To get in touch with these talented artists, visit them on Wednesday mornings at their display table or you can call them on (910) 477-6858.