Passionate Visions of the American South: Self-Taught Artists from 1940 to the Present

I purchased this book at the House of Blues in New Orleans on a whim a few years back, and have enjoyed it ever since. I keep it put away so it won't get tore up. If I meet someone I feel can appreciate the book I will let them look at it. The subject of self-taught American artist is very interesting and the book will give you an insight into the artist themselves as well as some of their creations. However, the vast majority of the artists in the book are from the Deep South, and most are African-American. Nothing wrong with that, just thought I would let you know. You won't find Granda Moses in this book, but Finster is there. Now I see it is out of print. Too bad.

This is the catalog of an exhibition and national tour organized by the New Orleans Museum of Art, which has a well-developed acquisition program for the art of self-taught artists. There are 270 works by 80 artists from 13 southern states. The full-page color plates are accompanied with Yelen's text describing each work, often offering the artist's own words to describe a piece. These artists, for the most part, are not concerned with issues of preservation or conservation in their selection of materials. Their relationship to their materials is organic. Several of the artists paint in mud, a practice they continued even after interested patrons and gallery owners supplied them with proper paints. Most self-taught artists, says Yelen, begin their art late in life, usually after retirement. They often create as a directive from God, His angels, or from visions in dreams; they feel a spiritual connection to their work. The essays are well written and informative, but the art itself speaks most eloquently.