Folk Art Rules

 First and foremost, the Ransbottom-Robinson garden pot (see 2013 post) has a new home tonight. It sold in the grand tradition of all great auctions: value for a price; want vs. desire; give and take; satisfaction and joy. Every body was happy, but I might have come away a little happier. I got some unusual pictures.

However, every thing in life is a trade-off. I've been going to this architectural antique dealer for about three years, now. It's a family owned operation in its third generation and today I saw in print and heard it from the second generations mouth that the place is for sale. Another family- owned business, even in the days of Craig's List and e-Bay, will take leave of a tradition that built this country (with both gentiles and Jews).

 The American scrap dealer, albeit the hand-pushed carts of the 1800s and early 1900s; the modern dump trucks and electro-magnet lifters, of the 20th or 21st century looses when it comes to  source material for art. For it is that that is found at scrap yards world wide. Every time you see a new house foundation or a new sidewalk or swimming pool use a sticks of reinforcing bar, it was the local scrap dealer that sold the scrap that got melted down by the steel mill to make the rebar. Another basic industry in America is slowly loosing the businesses that have an eye for art--folk art.

Here is a classic example:

Monkey on a Bike

Roadrunner Bird

Parrot Bird

 

A Needle In A Haystack Shines

Sometimes, you can search for that needle in the haystack until  you are blue in the face. Other times, it jumps out at you like a ghost in a fun house. Today, those odd things all came together thanks to a very creative graphic arts shop owner and  a lodge that has been keeping a eye on things since 1897. And, folk art turns the corner with the amazing hand-painted and decorated guitar.

The International Order of Odd Fellows lodge building with it's eye underneath the three chain links.

Thanks to the shop keeper that had this displayed in his shops window. I needed that outbusrst of laughter and I thank him for it.

Folk Art at its best on display in a shop window.The message on the frets gives hope.