I have loved folk art paintings since I was a child. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother and her house was full of them. One of my favorites that she had was done by John Roeder. Maybe it’s because I spent a lot of time playing in my tree house, that the trees in the picture appealed to me so much. When she died, she left me the painting and it hangs in a place of honor over my fireplace mantle.

One of my favorite paintings was done in 1962 by Bill Dodge. It’s called First Trolley to Van Nuys and shows the center of a town filled with people. It is done in vibrant colors and also depicts the buildings in the market like an ice cream parlor and the Hotel Van Nuys.

Another painting that I admire is called Howard in 1944. It was painted in 1988 by Reverend Howard Finster and is done in enamel. I don’t know whose smile is bigger, the one in the painting or the one on my face every time I look at it.

There is a subcategory of folk art paintings that depict the world of black Americans. I have a friend who collects these and I found one of a woman reclining in a hammock. She looked so relaxed, that I could imagine what it felt like to lie there myself. I personally don’t have any of these in my collection, since I like to collect pieces that I can relate to. Still, they are a joy to behold.

One of the most famous American artists is Thomas Chambers. I don’t particularly care for his art. I saw a painting he did of a fishing scene but I chose not to buy it.

There is a water scene that I really like painted in 1940. It’s of a swamp house on a bayou and has a Louisiana feel to it. It’s called Alligator Fisher and I’m thinking about getting because it reminds me of my cajun heritage, A lot of my family is from Louisiana.

The painting that has touched me the most features a sad little girl and is called A Letter From My Mother. It’s a beautiful painting but it’s just too depressing to hang anywhere. I’ll find someone to give it to.

My sister also shares my love for folk art. It’s pretty funny to me that when we were growing up, she’d cry because she wasn’t allowed to play football with the boys and I used to tease her relentlessly and pull her pigtails whenever I got the chance. Now we’re very close. She favors animal prints, and I found one that depicts leopards and gave it to her for her birthday. It’s too bad my parents didn’t let her play football with us. If she could kick the ball they way she liked to kick me in the knee, I’d see to it she played for my team every time.

Folk art is not art as most people would think. You would not find it in the galleries of New York. You find it in people’s homes, garages, and attics. The best way to describe folk art is to say it is the craftsmanship of people from a local area which depicts the everyday life and times they shared. From the weather vane on the barn to the handcrafted rag dolls the children played with, that is something you can not put a price on.

Traditional, high end art is produced by a talented painter or sculptor whose personality or life may be depicted in the piece. This was not created by a named artist but by ordinary people who needed certain things. These items were used everyday. They were created to make life simpler or more enjoyable. The people who created them would never have dreamed of selling them at some upscale auction house. The items were passed out to family and friends. There was no price tag.

Quilts are a popular form of folk art. The seamstress was making a bed cover for her family. If she was adept with her needle, there may have been detailed embroidery done on the piece or appliqué work depicting scenes from the area. Some of the quilts were made for special occasions such as the wedding quilt. The rings symbolized the union of the two getting married. These handcrafted quilts and blankets are in great demand in today’s market.

The tradition of folk art continues to this day. People are still creating things to make their lives easier or more comfortable. Toys are created for the children. Some pieces are created for the sheer beauty of it, like wood carvings. Local craftsmen who are proud of their heritage are picking up the tradition and starting to teach the younger ones how to do things, like basket weaving or tin smithing.

There are festivals all across the country celebrating the heritage of different regions. Many local craftsmen set up displays to show off their handy work and creations. Some offer these items for sale to the visitors. Many of these festivals are held in the fall. This is traditionally when the lives of these true artisans would slow down. The planting and growing being over, this was the time when the harvest would start to be enjoyed. With more time on their hands many people would turn to their craft to past the time.

The American Folk Art Museum located in New York City has many exhibits from all over the country. There are paintings which depict the lives of the artists. There are many quilts on display. Some are of a simple design and others are intricately detailed. Visitors can view pottery and tin pieces made in the 18th and 19th century. Certain markings made on the pieces have allowed the artisan to be traced through the years. It is interesting to see the styles each master craftsman used to create their works. Toys and painted board games are on display to see what the children of the times played with.

Folk art is a reflection of the past history of America. It shows the history of this nation. Every piece is a part of the heritage of the United States.
Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Primitive home decor or rustic home décor is good for such areas like kitchen. From a place of utilitarian tasks to a cozy nook for family gatherings, the transformation of your kitchen will be worth little effort from your side.

Many modern kitchens are anything but cozy. Stainless steel appliances and round, black center island surrounded by bar stools leaves something to be desired. Bring a sense of family and togetherness back to your house with a little primitive home décor.

What Can Help Achieve the Effect

An interesting addition to primitive home décor is the dry sink. It doesn’t have to serve any function other than as a conversation piece, but this item definitely brings you back to the “old country home”. Dry sinks are not all that easy to come by, so if you can’t find one of these pieces there are other ways to achieve the rustic look.

An old fashioned, free-standing cupboard with a hanging wooden towel rack to match are easier to find and relatively inexpensive. You can even make your own sturdy wooden bench to use along one side of your table. You don’t have to spend lots of money on actual antiques for your primitive home décor – you can create a faux antique look for any piece of wooden furniture by using paints and glazes from your local home center.

Special Little Additions

To add beautiful touches to your primitive home decor, get some folk art in the form of hand-crafted items. You can create them yourself or purchase them at flea markets. Wooden cutouts of cows, sheep and fruit can be painted and hung on your walls, or placed on counters and shelves. You can fill wicker baskets with wooden fruit, and display handmade candles with country candleholders. A red-checkered tablecloth with matching napkins and towels, accompanied by hand painted salt and pepper shakers and a matching sugar bowl are also inexpensive and practical additions.

There are many more ways to add quaint primitive home decor. You can use signs with welcoming phrases like, “Home is where the heart is” to add warmth to your country kitchen. Keep in mind holidays, weekend breakfasts and Sunday family dinners for more inspiration and think of more ways to incorporate primitive home décor to your kitchen.