I was perusing a magazine from the 1980's that had an article asking the question, "What is folk art?". From what I gather in this article back then there was the start of a revolution in folk art. Up until this time it seems that folk art was considered art of the common man, created by craftspeople not educated towards art. Weather vanes, bird decoys, quilts and the like, if antique could bring prices of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Take the case of the man who created a weather vane out of a pine board. He created it to replace one that had been stolen from his barn. After a few years it had weathered and worn to a nice patina. When he sold the farm antiques dealers approached the new owners and one eventually bought the 8 year old weather vane. As an antiques dealer himself he happened to be flipping through a trade magazine and spotted a photo of his weather vane up for sale. He contacted the dealer and found that the piece had been sold at an astounding $7,500 and that the dealer claimed the piece was an early century piece. There were other examples sited with prices for such pieces of up to $200,000 for a duck decoy and so on. The article went on to point out though that new artists were coming out with work that resembled that of the past. To distinguish between the early American folk art, and the now "contemporary" folk art wasn't always easy and has become increasingly hard as people have become quite adept at reproductions.
Today you see a flood of folk art and primitives on the market, most of it newly made and reproductions. Is it of value? To some yes, and to those who create it of course. The value comes in what the consumer wants. When prices for something such as a carved indian statue went up to triple digit prices most collectors couldn't afford those prices so they started looking for less expensive, but equally well done pieces. Does that lessen the value of the originals and antiques? And is it folk art? I think in today's culture that has changed. What do you think?
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Creating a doll is not as easy as it would seem if you try and make your own pattern. Art is ever a learning process and that's half of the fun! This Queen of Hearts is a little bit prim, a little bit vintage with a retro twist. Prim in design with a vintage retro skirt of dotted swiss fabric. Do they even make dotted swiss fabric anymore? I found a couple of small pieces of the fabric, not large enough to do anything really big, but it is so cool I couldn't pass it up. Oh, the joy of the hunt when visiting a soroptomists store or other thrift venue.
This queenly lady has a hand painted face. The tall collar isn't attached yet, thus it isn't standing the way I would like, but she is as they say, still a work in progress. What are you working on today?
I have a message for the President......bwahahaha...... okay, not really.... Edwin, oh yes he has a name now, was goofing off as I was starting to get him dressed. His arms kept raising up all on their own, and I was sure he was ready to jump off the ironing board!
But he decided to hold still as I told him I would take away his next birthday if he didn't watch out! He's still getting dressed so stop by tomorrow and see the finished results!
Here's a look at the finished creation. Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by and taking the time to play! It was fun to see the questions and questions given, and I learned a bit from this on putting a give away together. We had two folks who got the answer correct, so to make it fair we did a drawing and the winner is......drum roll please............David of Chicken Lips Studios! A big thanks again to all who stopped by, and for those who have come by for the first time or are somewhat new, please take some time to visit the artists blogs listed on my blog. You will find the best of the best in Folk Art, Primitives, Whimsy, and get to meet some very nice folks in the process. Happy April 1st everyone!
The nerve of this guy! I've been trying to get him dressed all week but he just wont' hold still! He keeps looking for his watch and exclaiming, "Oh my ears and whiskers, look at how late it's getting!" Well if he doesn't hold still and let me dress him, he will miss the big event...whatever that is.....
Here's a sneak peak at what I have for sale at PFATT this month. Catch them while you can!
You would think it was Easter already as the bunnies are hopping through the neighborhood, trying to find goodies to nibble on. I haven't shown them where the daffodils are peeking through yet as I love their sunny faces and bright green leaves that stand at attention as ensigns of Spring.
These bunnies might find their way to ebay soon, am still deciding on when though. Stop by again and see what's a poppin around here.
We as Americans are facing a tough time. But, with our usual grit and backbone we can get through whatever comes our way. I love to create Americana figures, especially out of things found in nature.
Though Angelica has fire red hair, her temperament is sweet as can be. She's a combination of sugar and spice and everything nice. Created from wood, with soft wool hair, homespun fabrics, vintage buttons, and scrapbook papers, she's the perfect guardian angel to hang up by your bed, or in your favorite sitting room. Angelica is 20" long from the tip of her halo to the tips of her toes. She's simply sweet!
Well I can't say Lions and tigers and bears...oh my! But bunnies and a Sam, oh wow! They will soon be found on PFATT Marketplace, and I'll be sure to send you a note to share. This is just a sneak preview of what's to come...and there may be more!
Mattie Lou O'Kelley
Reverend Howard Finster