A teacher who picked up an $8 thrift store painting because she “thought it had a story behind it” was amazed to discover it was worth thousands of dollars.
Sarah Parry, 24, from Roanoke, Texas, visited a friend in Oklahoma City when they decided to visit the local Goodwill.
While digging through the $2 per pound bins, she came across a snowy oil painting, with a red and white pickup driving off into the distance.
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On the back, there was a piece of tape reading “Santa drives a red and white pickup,” and the artist’s name, ‘Echohawk,’ featured on the front.
Sarah was immediately drawn to the work, thinking its origin must have a tale, so she paid $8 for the four-pound framed work, which she didn’t investigate until she got home.
She was stunned to read that Brummett Echohawk was a celebrated Pawnee artist, author, and World War II hero.
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After being wounded in combat, Echohawk, who lived between 1922 and 2006, studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and became a prominent illustrator, painter and historian.
A member of the Pawnee Indian tribe, Brummett Echohawk’s paintings have sold thousands of dollars in the past, leaving Sarah feeling like she’d “found a treasure.”
The teacher later shared her story on social media, and despite the money she could make from a future sale, she plans to keep the work and enjoy a piece of American history.
Her post about the painting went viral online, and Echohawk’s niece, Colleen Echohawk, even reached out, saying she hopes Sarah enjoys the work.
Sarah said: ” We initially only looked at the clothing, but then I started looking in some miscellaneous bins.
“I immediately noticed this beautifully framed oil painting.
“I suspected it was damaged, as it was surrounded by shards of glass and broken pottery, but I picked it up and saw the artist’s name, Brummett Echohawk.
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“On the back, I noticed an old piece of tape on the frame that read, ‘Santa drives a red and white pick up.’
“I just had a feeling this painting had a story behind it, so I paid roughly $8.00.
“I searched for Brummett Echohawk’s name when I got home and was shocked to learn about his history.
“I saw he was a war hero with a congressional gold medal, a well-known Pawnee artist.
“I was so happy and thankful I had found the painting in such great condition, and I felt like I had found treasure.
“I feel so lucky to have found this piece of American history and learn about the inspiring man Brummett Echohawk was.
“I just want to encourage everyone that goes antiquing or thrifting to pay attention to the details and to always do their research.”