Why We Love Folk Art

In the eight or so years we have been collecting art for Maddi's, nothing has given us as much enjoyment as buying folk art. Not that we don't love beautiful fine craft and jewelry and the artists who create them.

But there is something so authentic and genuine about folk art that it is hard to describe. While few artists are truly wealthy, many folk artists are truly poor. The term "outsider" applies to many of them. And in the short time we have been buying and collecting folk art, many of our favorites are no longer with us.

Both Mose T and Jimmy Lee Sudduth, both Alabama natives are gone. We had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy at the Kentuck Art Festival in Northport, Alabama many years ago. At that event he was visiting royalty, arriving in an old, low car with huge fins, followed by a van holding all his paintings. When the back of the van opened, collectors rushed to pick up...anything. You could trade it around later. I think we bought about six paintings and made the check payable to the festival, because Jimmy didn't have a bank account. Nor could he read or write. His work was rough and graphic, made with old house paint, mud and cola. But his paintings were great and he played the harmonica and he was King of Kentuck.

Meet the Metal Artists: Christine and Lori

We were in Philadelphia about a week ago, slushing around in a few feet of snow, attending the Buyers' Market of American Craft. This is always an important show for Maddi's as we place orders that carry us right through the year.

One of the most daunting areas of the show is jewelry. First, it is all wonderful. The artists' booths are beautifully designed and the lighting is great. And there is so much to choose! Pricey gold and diamonds? Or silver and sea glass? This is when we wish our budget was simply unlimited!

One booth we really enjoy is shared by two metal-clay artists, Christine Steel and Lori di Magno. These gals are both part of an Etsy team and their jewelry is lovely, reasonably priced and very fun, too.

Christine hails from the sunny city of Los Angeles. Her work is very refined and even delicate. Lori is a Massachusetts gal and her work is a bit more robust and ornate. They are pioneers in the metal-clay category, a medium which lends itself to so many styles and interpretations.

The Buyers' Market also sponsored a "Design Challenge" contest, where any artist or buyer could make a small display using specific art items that had been chosen by the committee. The contest went on for several days, but in the end, Lori had won it all! Everyone knows she has a great design eye.

Now when you stop in and see their work, you'll know the talented women who created it.

P.S. They'll do custom orders, too!