❥ beautiful skeletons

this week in outsider art the most beautiful skeletons you've ever seen and episode three of the "folkartwork and friends" podcast with isa segalovich and montrel beverly

Nov 09, 2025

THIS WEEK IN OUTSIDER ART

for daily postings of outsider art visit folkartwork.art or follow on instagram

the “catacomb saints” -- once-revered holy objects regarded by 16th- and 17th-century Catholics as local protectors and personifications of the glory of the afterlife (Photo via Paul Koudounaris) / *as heard through my conversation with Isa Segalovich*

“The jeweled skeletons were originally found in catacombs beneath Rome in 1578, and distributed as replacements under the belief they were Christian martyrs to churches that had lost their saint relics in the Reformation. However, for most, their identities were not known.

The receiving churches then spent years covering the revered skeletal strangers with jewels and golden clothing, even filling their eye sockets and sometimes adorning their teeth with finery. Yet when the Enlightenment came around they became a little embarrassing for the sheer amount of money and excess they represented, and many were hidden away or disappeared.” (Atlas Obscura)

**ARTIST UNKNOWN** Whimsical Hooked Rug with Pink Stripped Cow and Little White Dog (ca. 1910) // Wool; width: 43.25 in (109.86 cm), length: 34 in (86.36 cm) via *1st Dibs*

**FELIPE BENITO ARCHULETA** Howling Wolf (1987) // Carved and painted wood; 44” h x 33” w via *Slotin Auction*

SIMONE JOHNSON Bagel Shop Bodega Cat (2025) // Colored pencil on paper via *Pure Vision Arts*

The Puritan gravestone of Thomas Kendel (1678), located in the Charlestown Neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts via *Wakefield Historical Society*

**VERA GIRIVI** Untitled (2024) // Acrylic on canvas; 39 1/2 x 39 1/2 inches (100 x 100 cm) via *James Barron Art*

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**LORENA ELIASEN** Santo Miño del Buen Chisme (Good Gossip) (2025) // Gouache on papier-mâché; 6.5 inches wide by 9 inches tall -- *available for purchase via the artist in the FolkArtwork Collective shop*

**LUIS TAPIA** Nativity Scene (1976; New Mexico) // Pine, tempera paint, grass (49.4 CM H X 43 CM W X 28.4 CM D) via *Museum of International Folk Art*

**JAKE MCCORD** Twins In Yellow Dresses (2004) // Paint on board; 32” w x 48” h via *Slotin Auction*

**SAM DOYLE** Seated Dog (1976) // Paint on wood with tar and tin; 19 x 23 x 8 “ via *American Folk Art Museum*

**JAMES “SON FORD” THOMAS** Skull (date unknown) // Gumbo clay, mixed media teeth; 6” h x 4.5” x 6” d via *Slotin Auction*

**ARTIST UNKNOWN** Modernist Cat Hooked Rug (1963) // Wool; Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Length: 33 in (83.82 cm) via *1st Dibs*

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FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK

**SAMUEL SARMIENTO** Tigers in Love (2025) // Glaze and luster gold on stoneware; 19.5 x 22 x 2 inches via @andrewedlingallery

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WATCHING AND READING

Here are a few things I’ve been watching this past week:

Here are a few things I’ve been reading this past week:

OH WORD?

“FolkArtwork and Friends” episode three, in two parts?! Sure, why not!

This month, I am thrilled to talk to not one but two of my favorite people who are doing big things in the world of folk and outsider art.

In part one, I had a fantastic conversation with Isa Segalovich, an anti-authoritarian folk art historian and author. When I started this podcast, Isa was the one person I wanted to seek out for advice on how to make this happen, and I knew I wanted to have her on the podcast to share her knowledge and passion for all things folk art. I just had to wait until she returned from Romania so I could hear all about it… including stories of the Merry Cemetery!

@folkartwork

Self-Taught & Outsider Art w/ Adam Oestreich on Instagram: "I a…

We chatted about some of her favorite art environments in the Midwest, why she ditched pre-med in college and started thinking about how art could be used for good, among many other things — including her new book, “Ornament Now,” coming out in 2026.

While I usually share stories and a biography of an artist in the second half of the show, part two of episode three of “FolkArtwork and Friends” includes a conversation with one of my favorite working artists, Montrel Beverly of SAGE Studio & Gallery.

One of the best pipe-cleaner artists in the country, this summer Montrel was generous enough to create a few pieces of art for the show I curated at SAGE, and he continues to push the boundaries of what seems possible with art made from pipe cleaners. We talk about the first pipe-cleaner sculpture he ever made, a pipe-cleaner prank he pulled in high school, and his plans for a pipe-cleaner world record.

@folkartwork

Self-Taught & Outsider Art w/ Adam Oestreich on Instagram: "In …

I can’t thank Isa and Montrel enough for joining me. I hope you enjoy listening to our whole conversation as much as I enjoyed talking to them.

And thank everyone for listening and for all the feedback, for liking, subscribing, and if you can, don’t forget to leave a review. Check out the link below or listen on your preferred podcast platform (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and more!). More episodes out the first Friday of each month!

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SHOUT OUT

**JASON BROWN** Banjo Headed Lady (2025) // Acrylic on vinyl record sleeve; 12” x 12” courtesy the artist @automated_egg_factory

Shout out to Jason Brown, a talented singer/songwriter and artist who graciously created the theme song and interstitials for the “FolkArtwork and Friends” podcast! Be sure to check out his music and support living artists!!!

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FROM THE COLLECTIVE

LINDA DILEVA’s art shines light on a girlish whimsy, with a twinge of melancholy. She takes imagery from the pages of her childhood (flowers, stars, mermaids, unicorns), and memories from the places that imprinted on her soul. Her art explores dualities like togetherness/ isolation, a longing for nature, and the newfound perspective of motherhood while still striving for self, love, and friendship.

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This Week in Outsider Art

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