Primitive folk art is storytelling

Naïve or primitive folk art is a style created by self-taught or unschooled artists. They paint about personal experiences, often idealizing the events of everyday life. Perspective can be unrealistic and time compressed so that many stories appear to happen at the same time. The effect is a child-like quality.

Contemporary folk artists like Marie Fox have training but choose to work in the primitive folk art style because it suits the ideas they are trying to convey. When she first took up her paintbrush, Marie knew she could best share her stories through a folk art style.

The artist grew up in a 1793 house in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The town was founded by pilgrims whose desperate crossing of the Atlantic onboard the overcrowded Mayflower brought them to Cape Cod. At age 18, Marie left Duxbury to begin her studies in art history which continued as graduate school training in art conservation. After a decade restoring museum art in Southern California, she felt called back to New England where Duxbury awakened childhood memories. There she tapped into a reservoir of narrative and began to paint in a primitive style.

On the Inspiration & Technique page, Marie talks more about her country folk art print influences. Chief among these were:

• Russian icons
• Early Florentine art
• Grandma Moses

At art conservation school in Ohio, she analyzed the techniques of local folk artist Archibald Willard whose painting, The Spirit of '76, has become an American icon.

Whether your decorating is contemporary or country cottage in style, Marie Fox folk art landscapes will look ‘at home.' Her art is all about security and childhood memories: having a story read to you, catching fireflies in glass jars, being tucked into bed with your favorite rag doll, giggling with friends on a hayride. Marie's prints and paintings tell stories of these protected times and remind us of happy memories.

Each American folk art print invites us into a simpler world where the small events of life bring us joy. Marie's art is understandable and optimistic. It focuses on the delights of childhood and the importance of family and community. Her folk art landscapes and interiors help us remember that our intimate connections are of greatest value.

Do these folk art pictures bring to mind a story or memory you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you at Our Guestbook.