Southport Magazine

The Painted Mermaid opens second location
Story by Carla Edstrom
My mother was born in 1931 during the Great Depression. Growing up in that era brought about a certain mentality to most Americans – all about saving. She always liked to save and reuse things, even when it wasn’t in vogue as it is today.

Needless to say, I inherited her love of all things old and rusty, and I’ve been known to go through her basement looking for cobweb and dust covered treasures long forgotten to use in my home. And since I now have some of her things in my own home, I have warm memories and stories of my family I never would have had.
With the growing awareness of protecting the environment and the popularity of minimalist living, upcycling is becoming mainstream in our culture. The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines upcycling as “to recycle (something) in such a way that the resulting product is of a higher value than the original item: to create an object of greater value from (a discarded object of lesser value).” (“Upcycling” def. 1) Although the name is new, reusing abandoned junk objects in art is not new. ‘Junk art’ was a phrase coined in the 1950’s for art that was created from discarded items. Pinterest is chock full of ideas for reusing and repurposing everything from outdated furniture to wood pallets. Local artist and businesswoman Amy Atwell has full grasp of the concept of upcycling as evident in her successful Southport store, The Painted Mermaid, located at 1208 N. Howe St, Southport. “I’ve been creative my whole life, but not unlike a lot of other creative people I run into, I don’t exactly consider myself an artist. I upcycle,” explains Atwell, although I definitely consider her an artist. Making beautiful things out of discarded items is definitely an art form and takes a lot of creativity and imagination. “I have a good eye and can see the potential in things that most would toss in the trash,” she explains. I know what I like and create more or less to suit me, and when someone else loves it too, that is a wondrous, fabulous icing on the cake!”
“I’ve been creative my whole life, but not unlike a lot of other creative people I run into, I don’t exactly consider myself an artist. I upcycle,”
Gaining inspiration for her work from other people, Atwell enjoys how sometimes her work is a collaborative project with others. “I’m frequently invited to ‘pick’ the homes and storage units of other collectors of greatness who just haven’t gotten around to realizing their own visions,” she explains. “Frequently the conversation will turn to ‘what they see, what I see, what else would be great, etc.’ Once these marvelous things are in my studio or store, and other artists come in, those ideas get developed even further,” she explains. “It is often someone else that actually completes the piece, and who completes it is rarely relevant. The collaboration and seeing it come to fruition is equally gratifying. And if I happen to be there when it goes to its forever home…nothing better!”
Although she graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design, Atwell admits it was her 30 years of life experience and working in retail that taught her the most. “It took me a very long time to get comfortable selling my own work – or even sharing with someone that it was mine,” she explains. “It takes a lot to put yourself out there like that. One of the very best things about having done this (the store) has been the opportunity to act as a buffer for other folks who are nervous about sharing their art. I like to think of myself as being able to help guide others from a marketing standpoint without erasing the uniqueness of who they are and what they create,” she said.
Atwell learned the art of buying and selling at flea markets and sales years ago from a friend, and became hooked on the process. “I often found new uses for old treasures, and decorated with random salvaged pieces, but the actual upcycling of it all came later,” she said. “I give the artists around me credit for building my nerve, my husband credit for knowing that power tools make the best gifts, and to the internet for reinforcing that there is more than enough room in the world for everyone’s unique taste and talents,” she said.
The Painted Mermaid features many upcycled, refurbished and formerly discarded items, many of which Atwell created herself. “We opened April 2010. After years of renting booth space, it was time to take the plunge. Although I’ve always been the sole owner, a dear friend of mine was very instrumental in opening the doors and realizing the dream,” she said. “As we met and ‘took on’ other artists, ‘pickers’ and just every day folks looking to clean out closets or revamp their décor we made a lot of really great friends – several of whom have been with me a great many of these eight years.”
Atwell just opened a second store in Southport on Howe Street where the old Swayne’s store was, that has a much larger area for classes and working artists. “The current plan is not to move the store, but have a second location at 817 N Howe St. More space to spread out and bring in even more fabulousness! As we get settled into our new larger space, we will finally have space to open our doors to other artists and their talents. In fact, look for details on our upcoming seminar with watercolorist Jim McIntosh April 21st,” she said. I got to take a peak at the new space while doing this article and I can’t wait to see it finished. I know I’ll find some interesting pieces, and maybe even create a few new memories.
You can reach Atwell by email at thepaintedmermaid@hotmail.com, or through her website at https://www.thepaintedmermaid.com/. 1208 N. Howe St. and the NOW OPEN, 2nd location, 817 N. Howe St.

“Upcycle.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2018.