The Home of Folk Art
Chris E. Lewallen – Success Without Intention
Chris E. Lewallen - Fish - Photo Credit LiveAuctioneers.com
A Gainsville, Georgia, paramedic by day and a painter by heart. Chris Lewallen has painted for as long as he remembers, but he never dreamed of what would come from this passion. Using bright enamel paint colors on tin and wood, as well as other found objects he deems worthy, he creates his pieces of art focusing mostly on animals as his subject matter. In the early 1990’s Chris began selling his work. At the time the relationships he had with folk artists R.A. Miller and Rev. Howard Finster gave him the encouragement he needed to start traveling the art festival circuit. Chris hasn’t looked back... Read the full story
The Home of Folk Art
Willie Tarver - Photo Courtesy Mike's Art Truck
Willie Tarver 1932-2010
Rest in Peace
On August 6, 2010, at the age of 78, artist Willie Tarver passed away at his home in Wadley, Georgia. Only a few months prior, he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, apparently the result of years of breathing smoke both from welding and from cigarettes. The man who crafted many tombstones in the local cemetery chose not to have a burial. Instead his ashes will be incorporated into his art environment. Along with his wonderful wife Mae, his family, friends, and fans, he leaves behind a large body of work. Read the full story
The Home of Folk Art
Artist Statement on the new “Thunder-Sky” documentary by Alfred Eaker
Raymond Thunder-Sky, photo credit Thunder-Sky, Inc.
In 1999, I participated in a group show at the Base Art Gallery in Cincinnati with Keith Banner, Bill Ross and Raymond Thunder-Sky. Raymond was an autistic, Native American self-taught artist who repeatedly depicted imagery of construction sites. He would draw the wrecking ball tearing down an existing building and, through text, imagine what would go in place of the condemned building. More often than not, Raymond envisioned a clown suit factory, a circus, or a highway named after his father being erected in place of the old. Raymond never visually depicted these imaginary replacements, but expressed them in text. Raymond’s father was a Mohawk chief who acted in Hollywood westerns and worked construction. A family friend introduced Raymond to the circus and Raymond developed an intense love for clowns. These exposures formed him as a character and artist. Read the full story
The Home of Folk Art
John Shaw – Folk Art in Enamel
John Shaw-Family Picnic, 12" X 16"
Click on the images throughout the post to enlarge the photos.
It was in the mid 1990’s that I looked at my schedule and saw the name John Shaw. It was nothing unusual, a fairly common name but little did I know what awaited me behind that examination room door. I walked in to find a gentleman in his mid 80’s, somewhat rough around the edges but with a jovial New York accent not to be missed. We introduced ourselves and the relationship was started. I saw him on a couple of occasions but time came for his annual physical. It was then I noticed a physical feature that stopped me in my tracks.
John Shaw - Whaling Ship Scene, 8" X 10"
Not an ailment but a thing of beauty hanging around his neck.
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The Home of Folk Art
Howard Finster-Self Portrait 1944-Photo Myspace
Howard Finster Exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center
July 24 through September 26, 2010
The Chicago Cultural Center, once the central library building, was converted to an arts and culture center in the early 1990’s under the leadership of Lois Weisberg, Commissioner of Cultural Affairs. It became the nation’s first free municipal cultural center. Known as one of the city’s most popular attractions the Chicago Cultural Center is also considered one of the United States most extensive arts showcases. Their latest exhibition, Stranger in Paradise: The Works of Reverend Howard Finster (curated by Glen C. Davies), Read the full story
The Home of Folk Art
The “Folk Art Family Reunion” was another one to be remembered. We talked with Around Back at Rocky’s Place gallery owners, Tracey Burnett and Robin Blan, about how the festivities played out this year. Thanks, Robin and Tracey for the “wrap up” on your event.
Around Back at Rocky’s Place - 5th Annual Folk Art Family Reunion 2010
The 5th Annual Folk Art Family Reunion show has come and gone, but much fellowship and bonding was shared between artists and patrons. Invited guests broke bread, so to speak, with the artists at Friday night’s artist reception catered by the aptly named Gathering Place; Crimson and Scarlett, a local winery, was on hand to pour some of North Georgia’s finest wine. The reception and preview party was also the kickoff of the silent auction, which ran all weekend, with the proceeds going towards scholarships for Around Back at Rocky’s Place’s Summer Youth Art Camp held annually in July. Along with good food, good wine, and good companionship was an awesome array of very diverse art pieces on display for sale by the artists. This year’s line-up for the show offered a variety of art mediums. The exhibitors and their art pieces were….. Read the full story
The Home of Folk Art
Eugene von Bruenchenhein-Photo Eugene von Bruenchenhein on Facebook
“Out of this World: A Centennial Celebration of Eugene von Bruenchenhein”
Born July 31, 1910, in Wisconsin, Eugene von Bruenchenhein probably learned to paint from his father, who was a sign painter, and his mother, who painted on canvas and wrote treatises on evolution and reincarnation. Eugene’s professions included running a small family grocery, working in a greenhouse and florist shop, and, finally, working in a commercial bakery between 1944-1959. Unknown to all but a few family and friends, Eugene was a visionary artist who pursued his passion in his free time. When he died in 1983, he left behind several thousand works of art.
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The Home of Folk Art
Donald Johnson - Symbolic Group - Photo Yam Gallery
From M&M’s & Solitary Confinement – ART EMERGES!!
Donny Johnson, in solitary confinement, housed in an 8 by 10 cell has created art out of a stimulatory abyss from the pigments of M&Ms. Using a paintbrush made from foil and his own hair, images emerge on postcards that reveal the chaos in his mind. Using other media such as coffee and Kool-Aid, the palette is stunning and the images somewhat haunting at times. With little hope of ever being a free man, he paints for himself. Read the full story
