Slotin Folk Art Auction: Self-Taught Art Masters

Georgia like most of the South is blessed with an abundance of folk artists: painters, woodcarvers, muralists, potters, quilters and more whose vernacular works incorporate a wide variety of themes from Biblical to pagan and popular culture. The folk art traditions mirror the evolution of so much of America’s music that was born in the South. Gospel, Blues, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass, Rock and Roll are multicultural marvels, blending African-American and European music into a synthesis uniquely Southern and American.

Cross-pollination of these art forms is no surprise. Described as “our art,” by Rabbittown, Georgia folk artist R. A. Miller, it manifests in music, religion, literature and on surfaces like found wood, bottles, canvas, paper and more.

Slotin Catalog opens a world of possibilities for art enthusiasts and collectors with hundreds of items and images.Photo bySlotin Auction

Folk Fest, the spectacular art event founded by Steve and Amy Slotin attracted thousands to Atlanta from throughout the country. It was there that I met Rev. Howard Finster, Myrtice West, Missionary Mary Proctor, O.L. Samuels, Chris Clark, Lorenzo Scott, Ab the Flagman and many others. These gifted artisans introduced me to a world of mystery where angels harmonized, spirits lingered and souls traveled along paths we trusted but could not yet understand.

After closing Folk Fest in 2016, the Slotin’s founded Slotin Folk Art Auction, and took self-taught art into the digital world. Online previews and auctions are coordinated with their auction house in Buford, Georgia. An online catalogue with images and bidding information is available at slotinfolkart.com.

O. L. Samuels with one of his masterpieces.Photo byDown South Today

Now, it is possible to purchase highly collectible art created by legends like Rev. Howard Finster, Clementine Hunter, Olivia Thomason, Thornton Dial and Prophet Royal Robertson with ease from wherever you live.

"Blow Oscar," by R. A. MillerPhoto byDown South Today

Lorenzo Scott, a native of West Point, Georgia has lived in Atlanta for many years. Kathy Moses, in her authoritative book “Outsider Art of the South,” describes him as "a self-taught genius,” confirming that “his work has been exhibited in over 40 American museums and is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington.” Scott’s paintings have sacred themes, with Jesus and his disciples often depicted as African.

Self-taught artist Marguerite Durham creates her works at home in her Decatur studio. Her fascinating paintings, richly balanced in detail and color, tell a story. The late Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis praised her paintings. Another admirer, Hollywood actress Queen Latifa acquired paintings from the artist whose visionary paintings vary from childhood memories in rural Georgia to portraits of women who appear as African tribal royalty. “I just paint,” said Ms. Durham, “what comes naturally in my mind.”

"Bluegrass at the Hardware Store." Painting by Olivia Thomason.Photo byDown South Today

Folk artist Eric Legge has a roadside gallery, 3 Legge Art Gallery, near the renowned Dillard House in North Georgia’s Rabun County. Using found wood and whatever paint is handy, the soft-spoken, cerebral artist continues to produce diverse works that capture the beauty of nearby Wolf Creek Valley and celebrate blues musicians like Robert Johnson. His radiant floral paintings remind observers of Vincent van Gogh masterpieces.

"Puttin Up." Memory painting by Olivia Thomason.Photo byDown South Today

Legge, like the late Danny the Bucketman and many other folk artists, often see treasure that others might consider trash. O. L. Samuels, raised in rural Wilcox County, Georgia, told me that walking through the woods as a child, fallen tree trunks and limbs “talked” to him, inspiring him to preserve the messages through his art. Samuels, who became disabled and died in poverty, has works in the Smithsonian and major art collections.

Rev. Howard Finster's album cover for "Talking Heads."Photo byDown South Today

Folk art was literally propelled into popular culture by Reverend Howard Finster of Summerville, Georgia. Described by one art museum as “the Picasso of Folk Art,” Finster, a country preacher who produced 46,991 numbered works, became the ultimate example of cultural cross-pollination. Legendary Rock musicians like Athens-based R.E.M., saw Finster as family. R.E.M. filmed its first music video at Finster’s home. Finster and lead singer Michael Stipe then collaborated on the cover for the group’s 1984 critically-acclaimed album, “Reckoning.” This was followed by a highly popular New York City band, the Talking Heads who commissioned Finster to paint the cover for their 1985 album, “Little Creatures,” honored as “Album Cover of the Year” by Rolling Stone magazine.

Finster’s fame continued to grow when he was commissioned by Atlanta playwright Tom Key to produce the backdrop for the hit musical play, “Cotton Patch Gospel, ” which is still being performed throughout the country. His signature structure, “The World’s Folk Art Church,” is part of a 2.5-acre environment in Summerville’s Paradise Garden, that is now operated and being restored by the Paradise Garden Foundation.

The last time I spoke with Finster was on his front porch during a frightening thunderstorm. The conversation included Elvis, who was often depicted in Finster’s works as a farm boy wearing coveralls with angel wings adorned with Biblical text. Finster, who would sometimes speak in parables, volunteered that Elvis died “before he completed God’s mission and his soul is not at rest.”

Olivia Thomason was once described by the late Dr. Joe Perrin, Dean of Georgia State University’s Art Department as a memory painter. The self-taught artist who lives in Stone Mountain Village, is able to see life through the eyes of a child and her popular paintings depict family suppers, church picnics, quilting bees and urban events including the Atlanta Braves. Her recent exhibition at Stone Mountain’s highly-regarded Art Station Gallery was described as a “celebration of the South.”

"Coming to America." One of Olivia Thomason's most popular paintings.Photo byDown South Today

Folk art is inclusive and has no rules. Boundaries are uncommon and irrelevant. Folk Art encompasses life, memorializes struggle and celebrates victory. It is a way to a higher life.

Over 700 paintings, carvings, face jugs, and objects are displayed in the Slotin Auction website. Perusing the images online is like reading a good novel. The imagination is stimulated and as you flip through the colorful pages, every now and then then you just might feel a connection to another world or even hear a message from an ancestor.