Making art by turning old junk into new treasures

By Steven Wayne Yvaska

A tattered screen door. An aged window frame missing its glass panes. A weather-beaten section of a barn roof. Most of us would probably consign such seemingly useless and unwanted odds and ends to the city dump.

But not John Ponce. The longtime Morgan Hill craftsman envisions these castoffs as ideal components to build a birdhouse that also doubles as a home for a lush hanging plant.

``I like to create out of nothing,'' said the Navy veteran who's been making unique garden ornaments since he retired as a manager from Nob Hill Foods about 15 years ago.

Demand for his work is on the rise as more magazines, antique shows and cable TV programs spotlight garden accouterments. Ponce's creations often are the first to go at weekend craft and antique fairs.

``I've never met a person who thinks like John,'' said Debbie Hubbard, who has bought many of his works. ``He's a true artist. He has a vision. He sees things we can't.''

Without doubt, Ponce's most ambitious works have been his ``gypsy wagons.'' He has made three, and each one has taken almost three years to finish.

His latest wagon was purchased by an antique dealer from Carmel Valley. It featured a stained-glass window and was partially constructed from boards taken from a grammar school that was being demolished. The inside walls were adorned with a tablecloth showcasing Cupid, and the exterior boasted rustic touches including an oil lamp and amply filled flower boxes.

I spoke recently to the youthful-looking 74-year-old artist. Surrounded by his handiwork, we sat under a majestic, fruitless mulberry tree that he and his wife, Vera, had planted four decades ago. Married for 54 years, she gets first pick of his vast output. ``It doesn't cost her a thing,'' he said.

Later, we toured Ponce's spacious back yard -- it has an eagle's-eye view of landmark Murphys Peak -- where the artisan pointed out an iron bed frame waiting to become a trellis. Rusty bicycles and horse-drawn plows are destined to serve as plant stands. An oversize mailbox will have cast-iron wheels attached and a hole made for a potted plant, while its tiny flag holder will sport the Stars and Stripes.

``I guess I'm recycling,'' said Ponce. ``If you can't find antiques, you can make them. But everything I use has to be old.''

Even his tools. Ponce mostly employs time-honored implements to assemble his fantasy works, but he does allow himself the luxury of an electric table saw.

``He has a great following,'' said Marla Gilroy, owner of Treasures of Time Antiques. Gilroy has exhibited her antiques at events with Ponce throughout the South Bay for the past decade. ``His exhibits are eye-catching. He's a big draw to any show. He's so creative.''

Ponce is the eldest of seven siblings raised in the mission pueblo of San Juan Bautista. He credits his grandfather -- who never threw anything away -- and father for his ``creation thing.'' He recalls how his dad converted a 50-gallon barrel into a working stove.

When we came across a tub taken from a vintage wringer washer, Ponce eagerly told me his plans to turn it into a decorative planter. Asked about a nearby conical object that looked like a megaphone, he chuckled and said, ``I still haven't figured out what to do with that.''

Elsewhere I noticed 1920s-era tin chicken feeders and nesting boxes destined to be plant shelves. And piles of metal doodads and assorted gear awaiting a new life as potting tables or peddler's carts.

One of Hubbard's favorite pieces -- a gift from Ponce -- is an old-fashioned crib made into a planter box. It's not only a testament to Ponce's creativity, but also to his kindness.

``There aren't enough gentlemen like him. He'd give you the shirt off his back,'' said Eden Nesse, a customer for a dozen years.

I wondered how much Ponce's artworks cost. He seemed reticent to assign prices but told me a wheelbarrow was priced at $89 and a peddler's cart was $225.

And what about that gypsy wagon? It fetched $1,900. In my mind, a tremendous bargain. It's now on display under two oak trees at Great Digs Garden Antiques in Carmel Valley.

``It's not the money. It's the satisfaction,'' Ponce said. ``I don't believe in trying to get rich on antiques. ``I put a lot of love, labor and feelings into my art. You know, Steve. You've got to make your garden talk.''

John Ponce exhibits his wares at Lindsey & Friends Antique Mall, 7888 Monterey St. Gilroy. Phone: (408) 842-5586. Look for his work (Ponce's Ranch Antiques) at the new San Pedro Square Antiques Show in downtown San Jose the third Sunday of each month and the first Sunday of the month at the Alameda Point Antiques Show in Alameda.

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Contact Steven Wayne Yvaska at syvaska@sjmercury.com. Fax (408) 288-8060.