Goodwill Rembrandt Gets an Updated Makeover

Aside from the time it took for the spray paint to dry on the picture frame, it only took me about 30 minutes to create a very mod version of Rembrandt’s self-portrait. All I did was cut away most of this cheap, old, cardboard-backed Rembrandt picture that I picked up at one of my favorite Goodwill stores. A year ago I wouldn’t have given that image a second glance. But after seeing the real deal at the Louvre last summer, I felt a tender and warm spot in my heart for this old-world friendly face.

The picture from Goodwill was mostly black and brown, so using only the face area, with its warm, golden tones, was the clear choice. Luckily, I found a smallish silver wooden frame at the same Goodwill store and quickly transformed it with two coats of gold spray paint.

I used the glass from the frame as a pattern to trace over ‘Remmy’s’ face. Next, I carefully cut out the square piece of the old print with a utility knife. The perfectly sized “piece of art” was ready to be framed.

I replaced the glass in the freshly painted frame and pushed the piece of the old painting into it. It fit just right. Then, to make sure it stayed nice and tight, I simply taped each side of the picture to the back of the frame.

Now, my guest bathroom has a very updated version of the Old Master’s work that cost me less than $15.00, looks like a million bucks and came almost entirely from my local Goodwill store. Tightened up and re-framed, Rembrandt looks pretty pleased with his mod makeover. Now it’s one of my favorite pictures!

Through its entrepreneurial business model of collecting and selling donated goods in more than 2,700 stores and online auction site, shopgoodwill.com, the first and only nonprofit Internet auction site, Goodwill helps communities extend the life of usable items in environmentally sound ways and prevents them from piling up in local landfills. I continue to purchase and revamp Goodwill furnishings for my home and business needs.