Two-Timin' Tire Table (2008-2009)

As the years change, we turn over a new leaf -
A massive and intractable leaf, as leaves go.
One side reminds us of our layered and tortuous history;
The other presents a bare and bold-faced friend.

This is not a matter of tabula rasa or a freshly stretched canvas,
Nor is it a move from bad to better or better to best.
Rather, it allows us to tuck away precious but ultimately sorrowing times
And kick ever onward with a vision of undying brightness: orange.

Please do not confuse still wheels with stasis.

Nothing is fastened; everything balances.

My aunt clips, comments on, and sends dozens of articles to me per month. Most are from the Boston Globe, and they arrive in Manila envelopes on which my name has been penciled in all caps. Some themes are consistent across time, but there are always surprises. The selections included in the table-top have been excerpted into the forms of leaves (five varieties in total). Each piece has been tinted by hand with cadmium spring green watercolor paint and découpaged to a bald wood surface.

I set out to complete this project without an existing pattern or model, and learned much along the way through experimentation and consultation with others. The idea behind its inception was to solve a particular series of "problems" - for example, how to maximize the surface area of a square without making its shape appear square-like, how to utilize three motorcycle tires that I had found in a dumpster in Chicago, and how to provide a second life for articles that had already gotten used to travel. Overall, the idea of a table was somewhat practically inspired, and the nature of its two-sided top more ideologically so.

A series of sketches that developed over time gave me a sense of clearer direction. After cleaning and sanding a 4x4 board that once served as a surface for my tap-dancing, I determined that I needed to acquire a new tool in order to incise the undulations in the shape of my design, as well as the openings for the tires. Online research and financial considerations led me to purchase the RYOBI Orbital Scrolling Jig-Saw, a handheld power tool that could cut both straights and curves. Drawing and sawing, and then smoothing with sandpaper ranging from coarse to fine, left me with the final shape of the table, and I turned to work on the surface itself.

I went about aspects of the subsequent stages in what was perhaps not the best order of operations. Specifically, I découpaged the leaves to the bald wood of one top before priming and painting the edges and the table's reverse. I may have worked at this part first because I was so excited about it, but realized later that - despite precautions - white primer and orange paint alike moseyed their way into inappropriate spaces, staining the leaves colors other than green. If I were you, or if I were to create this table again myself, I would begin by priming and coloring all that needed either, and only then paste on the other pieces. I would still have glossed last. But since I didn't do things that way, I will continue to outline my process in the order in which I did.

To découpage the leaves to the leaf, I used Mod Podge® Gloss-Lustré. This product purports to be appropriate for "outdoor" projects, but I found it less than successful in its resistance to water and to remain somewhat sticky even after months spent indoors. Moreover, though it claims to seal, it allowed polyurethane to leak in later. Between adhering the leaves to the surface of the table and to each other, and adding three additional coats to "seal," I used at least 12 ounces of Mod Podge.

For the other side of the table, as well as the edges, I used two coats of KILZ 2 Latex® Interior/Exterior Water-Base primer/sealer/stainblocker (white pigmented). The quart I had purchased proved to be too much. Similarly, even though I used six coats of BEHR® Premium Plus Interior/Exterior Hi-Gloss Enamel (Deep Base with Kumquat pigment, 100% acrylic latex), I still had much of the quart left over at the end.* Finally, I applied two coats of ZAR® Interior Polyurethane Clear Gloss over the entire table, including both table-tops and all edges. The half pint I had purchased proved to provide the perfect amount of gloss for the project, and also shines and protects beautifully. However, I must note that I would re-consider using polyurethane in the future. While two coats of the substance produce a vibrant shine and protect the table well, the fumes are noisome. I admit that I did not think to investigate the environmental nor healthful impact of the product before using it, and recommend that you seek another before undertaking a project like this.

*Let me know if you need some orange latex paint (while supplies last).