Clementine Hunter: American Folk Artist

by James L. Wilson

"As children, we used to go with my mom to the trailer . . . to bring Clementine paint and canvas. . . . Clementine would paint the person most important to her as the biggest person, thus my mom was largest in the picture."
--Marguerite "Cissy" Brittain Picou



". . . her painting impressed me. It is really not at all primitive. It is very civilized--as Gertrude Stein said of the African wood carvings that influenced Matisse and particularly Picasso, almost fifty years ago."
--Alice B. Toklas



The British publication ARTbibliographies says that "the author provides a detailed biography of Hunter, describes her studio, and traces the development of her artistic career in Melrose, Louisiana." Independent Publisher describes it as "a beautifully published testament to an American original."

Genres: Art

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1988

About the author

James L. Wilson is a former journalist, editor, stage and film director and advertising agency executive. He lives and writes in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is married with four children.

Reviews

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clemance's art is just the beginning. The pictures tell wonderful stories of southern life without words. There is also correspondence between 2 of her benefactors that just takes you down south around 1945. That's the year my mom and dad met "down south" and he married her and brought her up north.

[Roger Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to any art lover's library. It is not only filled with fantastic examples of "Primitive Art", but the story behind Clementine Hunter's live and times is amazing.

This also serves as a great coffee table book and conversation starter for anyone's home.