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Bringing the past to the present.
Welcome!
Collectable License Plates • Vintage Items • Unique Art
Welcome to the Gallery. Click on any image to enlarge it.
Late Night Coffee
11"x'16"x1"
Art by Barb Sistak Baur.
This painting envisions a cafe where you may be sipping a cup of coffee. But the oversized metal letters on this painting (from vintage license plates) loudly interrupt to let us know that this painting celebrates the coffee time!
Art by Barb Sistak Baur.
This painting envisions a cafe where you may be sipping a cup of coffee. But the oversized metal letters on this painting (from vintage license plates) loudly interrupt to let us know that this painting celebrates the coffee time!
Zla Mavka
Art by Barb Sistak Baur.
The Ukrainian term, Zla Mavka, roughly translates to a “wicked forest spirit”. It is the symbol of the resistance movement carried out by women in occupied Ukraine. It is a resistance movement to frustrate the occupiers or commit small acts of sabotage such as defacing propaganda posters or dropping fake rubble notes in the street. The symbol is hand drawn as a triangle and a sunburst and is used as signature on art or acts of resistance. The movement has grown into a community of the women of Occupied Ukraine. Zla Mavka is represented here in a sculptural 2-D artwork, 40x30 inches, using old license plates that have been cut, striped, rusted or deconstructed. The pieces are layered and assembled to form the mystical creature that lives in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian term, Zla Mavka, roughly translates to a “wicked forest spirit”. It is the symbol of the resistance movement carried out by women in occupied Ukraine. It is a resistance movement to frustrate the occupiers or commit small acts of sabotage such as defacing propaganda posters or dropping fake rubble notes in the street. The symbol is hand drawn as a triangle and a sunburst and is used as signature on art or acts of resistance. The movement has grown into a community of the women of Occupied Ukraine. Zla Mavka is represented here in a sculptural 2-D artwork, 40x30 inches, using old license plates that have been cut, striped, rusted or deconstructed. The pieces are layered and assembled to form the mystical creature that lives in Ukraine.
I am Crazed!
Today’s politics are crazy! I choose old license plates to create my flags because nothing says “America” like our love for the automobile. License plates are apart of that and apt for commentary on our country. This American flag is created with vintage license plates from the year 1976, the year our country proudly celebrated its Bicentennial. This flag is my response to how disruptive the current political environment is and how it seems so far from the ideals we celebrated a half-century ago. I am frightened for our country. This is a 2-D metal assemblage.
Altered States
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. This is a sculptural 2-D artwork using old license plates that have been cut, striped, rusted or deconstructed.
Dancing Snow People - Sold
Three Dancing Snow People remind us that it is the season to be jolly!
Vintage License Plate Mirror
Created by Barb Sistak Baur. Made especially for that unique person. Old license plates from Kansas create the frame for this nice-sized mirror. These are actual vintage license plates from 1914. The license plates are extra large as they were made back-in-the day. They are very rustic showing their actual age, rust and wear. A special piece for someone who loves vintage decor. Or license plates. Or Kansas.
Mettle Resolve: Stand with Ukraine
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. This piece represents the Ukraine flag with a symbol of resistance, the Ukrainian letter ‘I”. It was pieced together by deconstructing and assembling vintage license plates from across the nation. The idea was to use metal to represent the flag because the war being waged with much metal in tanks, missiles, amory and so forth. Vintage metal was selected due to the long history of Ukraine. The deconstruction of the metal license plates represents the feelings of the current and past struggles. The license plates come from across the nation to represent the United States’ support for Ukraine, which I sincerely hope continues. And I sincerely hope that, somehow, Ukraine overcomes, survives and emerges victorious.
Old Rust on Skid
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. Her current studio is a garage filled to brim with collected material - especially vintage license plates and various found objects.
Don't Forget to Lock 'er Up! -- Sold
The "key" to this piece is the key that is added here. Part of the Trailer Trash series.
Cross Section
This is a 2-D metal assemblage. It was created using parts and pieces of expired license plates from various parts of the country. The pieces are assembled together on a board, some joining end to end, others overlapping and some are layered atop of others. The colors of the original plates are respected and considered in the composition. The entirety of the composition is coated in acrylic paint, and then the surface is distressed. Because the license plate parts come from several different states, I call this work Cross Section as the components seem to be from north, south, east and west. Even though each state is an individual unit, together they create one unified composition. The layers bring all the differences into harmony. -- Art by Barb Sistak Baur
Cuboid
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. This is a sculptural artwork that measures approx 12x12x13 in. using old license plates that have been re-imaged with rust and paint and shaped into the unexpected 3-D cube.
Flag 109
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. The American Flag is a frequent subject in my work and this is painted on a vintage wooden board.
America
This piece uses parts of old licenses plates and other metal to express pride in our country. The flag is painted on an old license plate and the word “America” is embedded in the flag.
Survivor
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. This piece represents the difficult times our nation is currently experiencing — the strife, the politics, the inequality that has run us ragged. And yet, I am confident we will endure and survive.
American Flag - Sold
Art by Barb Sistak, our License Plate Gal
Checker Board
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. The Checker Board was created during the Covid shut-down when we were all reviving pastimes to ease the boredom.
Sunset on Route 66
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. Rusty and battered metal fragments of license plates form this representation of a Route 66 road sign.
Harmony
This is a sculptural cuboid artwork that measures approx 12x12x13 in. using old license plates that have been re-imaged with rust and paint and shaped into the unexpected 3-D cube. The cube is mounted on a 3 for pole. I created this piece to harmonize with the environment as we all should harmonize with our environment. Rust is a natural process and offers interesting messages. It prompts reflection of past life and the license plates are past but they are made present here. It is an outdoor piece that is installed in a natural area of my home acreage along the public road, intended for public viewing. -- Art by Barb Sistak Baur
Twilight on Route 66
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. By the year 1966 with interstate super highways, the classic route was in decline.
Whimsical Route 66 Road Map - Sold
Art by Barb Sistak Baur. A whimsical trip along the old Route 66 featuring some of the sights and activities along the way. Created by combining authentic license plates from the 8 states that the original Route 66 passed through.
Theme Motel - Sold
Art by Barb Sistak, our License Plate Gal
Clever Frame
I helped this customer in Australia select license plates for this frame she created this with plates.
SOLD - Rusty Gas
Art by Barb Sistak, our License Plate Gal
Abandoned Garage - Sold
Art by Barb Sistak, our License Plate Gal
Rustic Decor
A Customer used rusty plates are used to line the wall under the kitchen counter. A sturdy kick-plate.
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