Featured Artists

Asa Ames American Folk Art

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:21:00 -0700

Asa Ames, a little known American sculptor, worked mostly from life, carving and painting three-dimensional wood portraits of family and friends. When he died of consumption in 1851, at the age of 27, he left behind 12 or 13 sculptures, most made during the last four or five years of his short life.

Much about Ames’s life remains a mystery. It is thought that he may have spent time at sea and might have apprenticed to a carver of ships’ figureheads or trade figures.

Until 25 years ago, Ames’s work, when noticed at all. But in 1981 the American Folk Art Museum received an anonymous work as a gift: a painted wood sculpture of a young girl whose head is painted with a phrenology chart. Stacy C. Hollander, the museum’s senior curator and director of exhibitions, began to research it and
ultimately attributed it to Ames. In 1982 Jack T. Ericson, an antiques dealer, culminated 12 years of research with an article on Ames in Antiques magazine that reproduced the works that could be traced or attributed to him. It included the folk art museum’s piece, which is thought to have been made at the end of Ames’s life, when he was ill and living with a doctor who practiced alternative medicine.

A beautiful and overpopulated daguerreotype portrait of the artist as a serious young artist. Ames is in his Sunday best, working intently on the bust of a man. Three sculptures look on from the upper right: a pudgy baby with a drape of real fabric and the busts of two other children in carved, off- the- shoulder togas.

The busts teeter on a sculpting pedestal beneath which is the young man whose portrait bust Ames works on. The carving of a hand and real-looking bass viol visible behind this party of five increase the sense of elaborate stage-managing. Ames was probably ill when this photograph was made, and perhaps he knew that obscurity threatened. Still, when the time came — and it has come — he intended to be ready for his close-up. Via N.Y. Times

Folk Dog Art by Artist Abby Mcmillen

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:24:00 -0700

A graphic designer by day, Abby Mcmillen makes her home in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, where she knows more animals named Abby than people named Abby. She's a self-taught painter whose love of dogs and folk art encouraged her to start pushing paint around on canvases.

Abby's three dogs, Selah (black lab), Frida (golden retriever mutt mix, and named for the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo), and Mae (white lab), are the inspiration for the original folk dogs. when she's not painting, Abby's usually outside -- hiking, cycling, running, fishing, gardening, reading, and enjoying life in the mountains.

Although Mcmillen loves painting dogs, don't worry you cat lovers! Abby says;

"recently, a few people have asked about folk cats. yes, there are folk cats! i haven't really marketed them very much, because the dogs are doing so well. but i know cat people love their cats as much as dog people love their dogs; i'm no dummy. one of these days i'll get around to posting these guys in the gallery, or maybe the folk kitties will have their own gallery. who knows?"

If you would like to see more of this artists work drop by folkdogart and be sure to keep an eye out for those fun, folky, kitties!!!

"Weaving Together Music & Art" Gray Gallery

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:51:00 -0700

Gray was born and raised in (Snake Hollow) Paint Rock, Tennessee. In this place he developed a sense of curiosity, discovery and imagination which he still pursues through his art and music. His work is rich in southern imagery, for example, from his song Brushy Mountain, Gray painted a convict, transformed into a blackbird, flying away from the remote East Tennessee prison with the lyrics of the murder ballad written across the sky.

Like all of Gray's work, it is rendered in acrylic house-paint -- in this case on the side piece of an old church pew. Gray's art has been featured in the Oxford American and Time Magazine. Also, The Complete Hank Williams boxed CD set, featuring Gray's art, won a Grammy Award for design. His newest music and art is evocative of his childhood in Paint Rock, Tennessee near the Smokey Mountains where he was reared by his grandparents on a small farm.

He grew up in an anachronistic life-style as a child where he and his family had no plumbing or running water, but Gray says;

"From an artistic point of view, I'm glad I went through that. Sometimes I'll paint a memory and write out what I remember from it. You could call this 'folk tales or songs mixed with painting'."

His recent paintings are of blackbirds, mules, and men cutting wood or curing tobacco, often with lyrics of his songs superimposed on the image. Gray's work is popular among Nashville musicians, but it has shown as far away as SoHo, New York and as nearby as the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville and the Country Music Hall Of Fame.

To view more of this artist's work visit GrayGallery and learn more about this wonderful folk artist.

Funky Chicken Art of C.E.Harrison

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:15:00 -0700

C. E. Harrison is a self taught southern Folk Artist from Georgia. Her work has been collected all over the United States. She lives a quiet life with her husband, son, 2 dogs, over 80 chickens, Taylor Turkey, and a couple of geese - Lucy Goosey and Zander Gander. The chickens number the most, and so Harrison became the "Mama Hen"!

Harrison says, " My animals give me a lot of my inspiration,but I also rely on my Southern heritage and the many stories I grew up listening to, to come up with my creations!"

"I love color, and I paint on any and everything. In this age of recycling I have a hard time throwing things away, so if I can see the art in something I go to creating. My favorite times are when I can sit under the shade tree, my feathery friends running all around me, and paint."

Of course, she paints more than just chickens. Visit her website at mamahenfolkart to discover more fun and funky art. There you can find pieces that are currently for sell, and find out more about C. E. Harrison.

Folk Art Pottery of Kyle Carpenter

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:50:00 -0700

Kyle Carpenter was born and raised in the Raleigh, NC area. He attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2000. Also in 2000, Kyle married and settled down in west Asheville. In 2002, Kyle Carpenter built a salt-kiln and made a studio at his home. Since then, he has been working as a studio potter, selling his wares at craft fairs and galleries.

Kyle describes his work;

"As a studio potter, I work diligently to make well-crafted wares for everyday people. It’s seemingly less about the “ritual of the table” and more about respecting a long tradition of craftsmen before me and discovering my own voice. As a contemporary potter, I often look to past traditions for inspiration. I’m interested in folk pottery of many origins. My native state of North Carolina, of course, offers a deep well of talented potters, both folk and contemporary, to look towards for inspiration."

"Simplicity in form offers a broad surface for me to embellish with lines, patterns, and drawings. Before I was introduced to the ceramics arts, I did a fair amount of illustration before and during art school. The combination of three-dimensional forms and two-dimensional drawings was a natural fusion of both my love of drawing and pottery, art and craft. It is my intention to bring together clear and abstract markings to engage the viewer to look closely at how design relates to the form of the pot."

To view more of his work and to see the process he uses, visit "www.carpenterpottery.com". There you can meet the artist and find the galleries which sell his work.

Elegant Watercolors by Elaine Frenett

Fri, 01 May 2009 11:15:00 -0700

Elaine Frenett graduated in 1991 from San Jose State University with a BS in Graphic Design, focusing in Illustration. As an Illustrator, she has been published from New York to San Francisco. In between illustration jobs, she began to paint things she loved and received such strong response from her audience, she knew her direction had begun to change. Eventually, Elaine's interest shifted to fine art, where she now finds more personal satisfaction. Ms. Frenett has taught private classes as well as, done presentations at Universities and various art clubs. Her art pieces are currently in collections private, corporate, museum and international. And while her wanderings do continue, worldly and creatively, she has happily relocated to the Rogue Valley where beauty and discovery spark her artistic spirit.

Elaine Frenett describes her work and inspirations;

"These images come from my heart out onto the watercolor paper. It is usually something in nature that touches my feelings strongly - strongly enough that I want my audience to see/feel it too. And then, out comes my paintbrush. What has evolved as my intention for these images is to have people pause long enough to see the amazing beauty around us and acknowledge how vital it is to our peace and happiness."

Frenett keeps a journal of her travels and inspirations. The pages are filled with beautiful images of the people and places she visits. She "has a passion for Journaling and now shares it through her classes". She has made a video describing how she began her Journaling, please watch and meet the artist.

To purchase her artwork visit elainefrenett.com.
Elaine Frenett also has two blogspots were you can view her current art and passions. Visit elainefrenett.blogspot.com or womensmexicoretreat2009 to find out about her recent trip to Mexico.

The Yummy Artwork of Catherine Holman!

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:16:00 -0700

Do you need a confectionery fix? Then you must check out the delicious art of Catherine Holman! Enough to make your mouth water, her fun paintings are a great nonfat way to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Holman is the author of four instructional decorative painting books and a video. She has been a contributor to several decorative painting magazines and had her work featured in wall decor magazines.

Here is a little from the artist;

"I married my childhood sweetheart and we have lived in the same town our entire life. We've successfully raised two beautiful children who are now on their own and feel truly blessed! I've painted murals for some of the local shops and in private homes. Designing has led to teaching at national conventions, exhibiting at trade shows, and traveling throughout the U.S. and Canada to teach my style of painting to others."

"I truly hope my art brings a smile to your face! "

Her talents are not limited to just desserts, stop by her blog at catherineholmanfolkart.blogspot.com to view more of her art.

Catherine offers her art for sale on etsy and has online auctions on eBay. What are you waiting for? Buy a sweet for your sweetheart this Easter!

WOW! Mixed Media and Folk Art by Mystele Kirkeeng

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:12:00 -0700

Mystele Kirkeeng is a self-taught artist who grew up in a little town in northwest Texas. She had plenty of room to "GROW" in ways so necessary to nurture a creative soul. BUT, before she knew it, some of those little girl joys were packed away in “yesterday”.

According to Mystele;
"basically depression helped get me here today. isn't life strange??? I don't have a whole lot to tell except that I am more alive than I've ever been before!"

"In early 2006, I started making primitive folk art dolls which, I can see now, set the stage just perfectly for that little girl artist to wake up inside of me."

"In february 2008, mixed media folk art painting grabbed a hold of me (see. told ya I'm from Texas!), and I am thrilled about it. I especially love the fact that I'm able to express the beauty of my spiritual journey and ethnic heritage in ways I never dreamed."

"At 30-something, I can say without a doubt that I absolutely, positively love what I've been given to give away."

Mystele just did her first folk art festival, and says, "it was AWESOME!!! I'm so excited about the next festival and about connecting with gallery owners that i was made aware of. Need to take that to the Lord in prayer! "

Watch the video she made after her first show and meet the artist.

To view more of her work or to contact the artist visit "Little Glimpses Studio" on Mystele's Blog. She currently has art for sale on Etsy, so stop by her Etsy store to find her artwork for sale.

The Fun Folk Art of Miz Thang!

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:13:00 -0700

Call her a painter, a wood worker, a lover of obscure blues music; Miz Thang is all of these things. She honors those obscure (and not-so-obscure) musicians by recreating their images as whimsical and colorful painted wood cutouts. Each one is unique, vibrant, and fun—you can almost hear the music of B.B. King, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ma Rainey and Captain Beefheart.

Miz Thang is a self taught folk artist from Hawkinsville, GA. Labels are not her thing but most folks want to know just what type of art she creates so she usually rattles off a long list of funky names that include: outsider, raw, rebel, folk, whohadada and contemporary, just to name a few. Through her eyes she sees things differently and she strives to show others what she sees via her art.

She has been called weird and down right crazy, all of which she takes as a compliment because she does not want to be normal. After all a normal person couldn't create her art! Most of her life she has been a collector of what most call junk, but what she calls her treasures. When she is not riding around looking for more junk, she can be found in her back yard turning her junk into art. She is inspired by strong women, musicians, and by people, animals and events that have impacted her life.

All of her art is original. Her wooden pieces are usually cut out of cabinet grade birch and then sanded. She paints with acrylic paint and sometimes she coats her pieces with shellac. She doesn't use brushes, but prefers to paint exclusively with her fingers. When her fingers are in the paint she feels connected to her art and she feels she is passing along some of her special brand of mojo. She also uses objects she finds and that others give to her. Most of her art contains a message, sometimes serious, sometimes funny, depending on her mood.

Some of her creations have been on display at shows, museums and galleries throughout the USA and abroad. Her art is on display at the Smith Calloway Banks Southern Folk Art collection and Research Center at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. Her blues art has been on display at the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon, Georgia since 2004.

Visit Miz Thang's World to read more and see more Fun Folk Art.

The Works of Outsider Artist Cher Shaffer

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 06:48:00 -0700

Cher Shaffer was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1947 on a small farm. She spent her youth surrounded by earth, sky and the whistling pines of the American South. Her mother, who was of Native American decent, accompanied Cher on many of her long walks and taught her about the woods and lands that they both cherished. Cher's mother shared with her young daughter the beliefs and customs of her Native American heritage. Her father was German and a descendant of Martin Luther as well as a practicing Baptist. Through this parental combination Cher developed a deep respect and appreciation for nature and it's Creator. She began painting shortly after the death of her gifted mother. As Cher explains this event opened a "Pandora's box" of emotions and memories. Painting these memories seemed the best way to express and preserve her cherished childhood.

In 1978 with no formal training, Cher began transferring her memories to canvas. It was a significant factor in healing her grief over the loss of her mom. As in the case of happy childhoods our memories tend to be tinted with a hint of fantasy. Her early works are depictions of church gatherings, warm holidays, festive celebrations and the everyday chores of life on a rural farm. They are idyllic and flavored by the innocence of youth. Cher's work developed and began a departure from these traditional folk art scenes into true fantasy interpretations. Electric color with smooth graceful lines evolved.

In 1985 Cher's life again took a tragic turn. Due to extreme exhaustion Cher's heart failed. She emerged from this terrifying event with a greater sense of responsibility for what she would leave behind. Her work began to explore the question of death. Ghostly images began to haunt her style. She describes her work from this period as coming from a "primal level". In addition to painting, Cher also works in wood, stone, mixed media and designs three-dimensional creations such as dolls and masks.

Cher's career as an artist is highlighted with many accomplishments. Her work has been shown nationally and internationally in many one-woman shows including the 1992 Owensboro Museum of Art and 1993 a retrospective exhibition at Colorado State University.

She frequently conducts workshops with children and adults. She currently lives in North Carolina, and is delighted that her son Gabriel, an emerging artist of amazing talent himself, has recently relocated to North Carolina as well.

View more of Cher's work on her personal blog. Visit the Berenber Gallery to find her art for sale.

Outsider Artist Gabriel Shaffer

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 08:08:00 -0700

Gabriel Shaffer lives and works in Asheville, NC. The son of nationally known folk/visionary artist Cher Shaffer (most notable for her appearance in tour/book "O' Appalachia"), Gabriel was raised within the self taught medium and had contact with many folk and self taught masters as a young boy.

Gabriel's unique art is driven by a manic obsession with the relationships between sound, symbol and image, as they are literally layer upon layer of graffiti, free association, collage and various medias, salvaged from assorted locations (abandoned hospitals, factories houses, dumpsters, etc.) which create a circuit board of color, texture and information, used to form haunting characters and communicate strange narratives from his own personal mythology.

Gabriel's characters consist of old legends, angels, protectors, tribal totems, dolls, puppets, flying houses, iconography, shapeshifters, ghosts, aliens, animals and any other bizarre form of creature or landscape his mind can conjure.

Gabriel first sold his earliest works In January 2004 during the Outsider Art Fair, to several collectors and had his first exhibition in July 2004, at the Broome Street Gallery / Historic Cedar Tavern, New York City. Since then his work has been received with amazing acclaim. He has already exhibited and sold to many collectors, galleries and museums, in dozens of shows, throughout various major cities nationally and internationally, including a very strong debut, with the Berenberg Gallery, Boston,Ma, at the Outsider Art Fair 2005. He has appeared in several Magazines and Newspapers such as NY Arts Magazine and Raw Vision.

Watch video to meet the artist

ShafferCast Episode 1 (2-13-2008)

Visit Gabriel Shaffer's website now, or view his Myspace page for more information about the artist and to see more of his work.

The Folk Art of Jim Lambert

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:29:00 -0700

Jim Lambert is a Folk Artist from Northfield, New Hampshire. He creates unique and colorful sculptures from found and cast-off materials. Like the old saying "Waste not - want not," Jim carves, sews, paints, and assembles wood, natural materials, plastic, and metal "junk" parts to create these truly one-of-a-kind pieces.

Jim's work has been acknowledged by the Museum of American Folk Art and has appeared in Country Living, Early American Homes, Country Collectibles and NH Business magazine. He has received the NH Magazine Editor's Pick for Best Folk Art. He is a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. President Bill Clinton recently added two of Jim's standing figures to his private folk art collection ( Hillary as the Statue of Liberty and Mr. Clinton as Uncle Sam ).

Lambert describes his work:

"To me, a pile of sticks, pieces of old barn boards, scrap pieces of cloth, hinges and odd pieces of rope are like a gift from the universe - a goldmine of childlike things for me to create colorful wall and free-standing folk art figures."

"I create a variety of Americana images: Statues of Liberty, Adam and Eve, cats, dogs, roosters, moons, suns, mermaids, and other images that are sparked from classic images, a song lyric, a newspaper article, folklore or a personal
experience."

"When people look at my work, they can see how the piece was made. I like the fact that I can use scrap materials to create a profound or serious piece of artwork or something that is funny and intended to make people smile."

Visit Jim Lambert's Folk Art now to find out more about this artist and to view his current art for sale.

author: JIM LAMBERT
Article from: Concord Monitor

Lovely Landscapes and Cityscapes by Artist Paulo J. Mendes

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:55:00 -0700

Paulo J. Mendes is a a self-taught watercolor painter from Matosinhos, Portugal. He paints lovely landscapes and cityscapes that reflect the everyday life of the people and villages around the artist's home town.

His paintings are full of details and each one has it's own story to tell. You can't help but get swept up in each painting and becoming part of the community yourself. You can hear the sounds, meet the people and feel the warmth of the sun.

Mendes refers to his art as "Postalguarelas" because, as the artist describes:

“Postalguarelas” is a mix of two Portuguese words, “Postal” - postcard, and “aguarelas” - watercolors. This title was chosen because I like to work in a small scale."

"I like to paint imaginary places inspired by my country's landscapes, traditional architectures and ways of life. Some roads make their way through the hills, sometimes with a bridge over a river in a curve at the bottom of a valley. In our rush towards our destination, we do not always stop to observe the small worlds that exist in such a short space."

Mendes captures the wonderful events that happen all around us everyday, that we may pass by without notice. His work reflects the rich history and lifestyles of the people of Portugal that transcends regional boundaries and unites us in our similarities.

Stop by the artist's personal blog to learn more about the artist and to view his current paintings.

Mendes' work can be purchased at the artist's online store. Don't wait visit Mendes' Portugal now!

Folk Artist Donna Lacey Derstine

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:12:00 -0700

Raised in rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania where traces of Early Americana and bucolic landscapes were interwoven into her life experiences, Donna majored in painting & illustration at Philadelphia College of Art. An eventual move to Maine coupled with her love of the natural world inspired her soft New England pastel landscapes and folk images.

Donna Derstine's folk images have been reproduced as 24 poster designs, calendars, greeting cards & book covers. Derstine's artwork has been featured in Early American Life, Country Living, and cover illustrations for Yankee Magazine & a Child’s Book of Poetry, published by Black Dog Press. Her pastels have won various awards throughout Maine & New Hampshire and are now available as limited edition giclee’ prints. Derstine's pastels & folk paintings are included in private collections throughout the US and abroad.

Donna explains,

Recently I have returned to painting my small folk images for the sheer enjoyment of creating light, effortless, whimsical scenes. While I truly love working with pastels, the ease, freedom and satisfaction I get from these tiny "jewels" has been a refreshing outlet for me. Hope you enjoy them too.

More of her work can be seen and purchased at her website. Derstine also keeps a personal blog where she exhibits new artwork and current events. Don't wait visit her site now for beautiful landscapes and fun folk art!

Folk Art of WILLARD JENNINGS

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:21:00 -0700

WILLARD J.1940's ...RURAL SOUTH,GREW UP IN THE PROJECTS,
RADIO DAYS,LONE RANGER,SARGENT PRESTON,AMOS & ANDY...

EARLY 1950,s...WILLARDS YOUTH,REAL HOT ROD FORDS,
ELVIS,MONROE & DiMAGGIO,BASE BALL,HOT DOGS,APPLE PIE...

1950,s WILLARD HAD SOME BAD YEARS...
SOUTHERN CHAIN GANG,BALL & CHAIN,BEEN THERE,DONE THAT,
NO FUN !!!WILLARDS EXPLOITS IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN....
MELON SELLER,SCRIMSHANDER,UNION MAN,SILVER SMITH,
COIN CUTTER ,
& A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE...

WILLARDS MIND DRIFTS OFF INTO LEFT FIELD WHEN IT COMES
TO ART,HE PAINTS ON MOSTLY OLD FOUND BOARDS,
USES OLD BARN TIN & BOTTLE CAPS,LOVES COLOR...

BEEN KNOWN TO PAINT,ELVIS,SATAN,
GATORS LOVE FRIED GREEN TOMATERS...
CARVES CHICKENS & CRITTERS,,,,WHAT EVER COMES TO MIND.

FOLK ART,OUTSIDER
OR JUST PLAIN OLD COLORFUL
FIRE WOOD....

WILLARDS QUOTE,,,ON THE EIGHT DAY,GOD CREATED FOLK ART ...

ADVISE...DON,T FALL DOWN OR THE HOGS WILL EAT YOU...

GOTTA GO NOW,,,LIFE IS SHORT,,,NOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET
IT ALL DONE....TO QUOTE THE KING,
THANK YOU,THANK YOU VERY MUCH........WILLARD J.

View more of Willard Jennings work and meet the artist now!
Text written by WillardJ.