❥ did comets kill the dinosaurs?

this week in outsider art features an interview with "iowa's self-taught oil painter", a william hawkins masterpiece, ex votos, a devil on a root monster, and much more

Sep 29, 2024

THIS WEEK IN OUTSIDER ART

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

**WILLIAM HAWKINS** Did Comets Kill the Dinosaurs (ca. 1986) // Enamel on Masonite; 50 x 38 in. (127 x 96.5 cm) via *Frank Maresca of Ricco/Maresca Gallery*

**MILES CARPENTER** Devil on a Root Monster (1974) // Painted wood, fur, leather, synthetic cord; 26 3⁄4 x 29 3⁄4 x 10 1⁄2 in. (67.9 x 75.6 x 26.7 cm.) via *Smithsonian American Art Museum*

**ARTIST UNRECORDED** Mexican Yarn Painting (c. 1960s) via *Museum of International Folk Art*

» free preview of this week’s B-B-Bonus This Week in Outsider Art newsletter «

**SARAH LEE** Dinner Date (2022) // Giclee fine art prints on 320gsm cotton rag paper — *available for purchase via the artist in the FolkArtwork Collective shop*

One of many wonderful anonymous ex-votos from the collection of *Lille Métropole Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Art and Outsider Art*

see 10 more anonymous ex-votos from Musee Lam

**WILLIAM DAWSON** Untitled (date unknown) // Wood, paint, bone and other found objects; 14 1/4h x 10 1/2w x 9 7/8d via *Toomey and Co*

Catch Des Moines: "Faces In The Crowd" Art Exhibit Opening Reception

**SEYNI AWA CAMARA** Untitled (date unknown; Senegal) // Terracotta sculpture; 40 × 36 × 24 cm via *Paris Africa Gallery*

**COLLINS EISENHAUER** Fiddler and Two Dogs Dancing (1975) // Polychrome wood and wire; 19.2 x 12.4 x 24.0 cm via *Art Gallery of Nova Scotia*

**GUSTAV KLUMPP** Starshow (1970) // Acrylic on canvas; 20 1/8 x 24 1/8 x 1 1/4" via *American Folk Art Museum*

Des Moines Register: Things To Do // "Faces In The Crowd" Art Exhibit

**MARUCH MÉNDEZ** Our Root (2020) // Acrylic on canvas; 35 x 40 cm via *Galería MUY*

"This child is our root, when the mouse was born he was very happy and played the guitar for the joy of birth, the circles with dots are stars." - Maruch Méndez

**UNKNOWN** Eagle and Face chairs (c. 1975) // Carved wood and varnish; (98 × 70 × 56 cm) & (91 × 61 × 61 cm) via *Toomey and Co*

**MAMIE DESCHILLIE** Brown & White Cat with Earrings & Necklace (date unknown) // Wool and mixed media on cardboard; ht. 12.5, wd. 16 in. via *Invaluable*

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FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK

**BETHANN PARKER** Split Rails and Burning Bridges (2022) // Oil on linen; 16x20" via *The Ruffed Grouse Gallery*

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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:

Full disclosure! I wrote this earlier this year, but DailyArtMagazine.com re-ran it as a new long feature this September, with new introductions and a new format for better consumption. I’m pretty proud and excited about the article and the chance to spread the word, especially to a Eurocentric audience, about some of my favorite self-taught and folk artists. Enjoy!

OH WORD?

» Iowa’s Self-Taught Oil Painter Noel Hatfield «

*Noel Hatfield in his newly renovated basement studio in Winterest, Iowa*

There's Midwest nice, and then there's Noel Hatfield. I've driven out to meet the 73-year-old self-taught artist a few times, driving through the beautiful rolling hills of central Iowa to roll up to his peaceful and calming home. His big smile, a warm handshake, and soft-spoken voice make me feel like we're long-lost friends.

But I've only known Noel for a few years. And Noel has only been painting for a few more years than that. Since he started painting, he’s sold over $15,000 worth of artwork when he somehow finds the time to paint — he’s got three adorable grand children he babysits on a regular basis! And he’s also exhibited in shows across the state.

Today, Noel has over one hundred paintings stored in his newly renovated basement studio. And in the run-up to the first-ever FolkArtwork exhibit, "Faces In The Crowd," which I'm proud to showcase work by Noel Hatfield, “Iowa’s Self-Taught Oil Painter”, I was fortunate enough catch up with him and learn a little more about his art-making process.

"Frida Kahlo" painting by Iowa self-taught painter, Noel Hatfield. — *One of Noel Hatfield's many interpretations of Frida Kahlo*

Excerpts from my interview with Noel Hatfield:

FolkArtwork: As a high school art teacher, I'm fascinated with students' art experiences. Especially how confidence affects art making as a teenager in both a positive and negative way. What was your experience making art throughout your days as either an elementary, middle or high school student?

Noel Hatfield: Growing up I was not very good at art but did enjoy drawing. It wasn't until my senior years that I started to become better at it.

FA: I know you started painting seriously once the pandemic had started. What was it that led you not to just put paintbrush to canvas, but continue doing for the years that followed?

NH: When the pandemic hit we stayed at home and I started painting as a hobby. I listed my art on eBay and Etsy and it began to sell. That was exciting. I have sold over $15,000.00 in painting over the past five years.

FA: From your early work until now, you can see a clear evolution of progression in your artwork. What were some of the original thoughts and feelings about your work when you first started? And what are some thoughts and feelings you have about your work today?

NH: This was a completely new learning process for me. I watched YouTube to see how to mix oil paints and brushes to use and I've always been self taught with most work that I do, so yes, more or less I learned on my own and learned from my mistakes. I have come along way as far as quality of work goes over the past few years but last fall something clicked and [I've created] my best paintings yet.

Noel Hatfield's work can be purchased in the FolkArtwork Collective shop and you can see his work on November 9th at the "Faces In The Crowd" FolkArtwork exhibit in Des Moines, Iowa.

read the full interview here

SHOUT OUT

I recently purchased a t-shirt from a very creative 7-year-old named Ahmed. Personally, I think 7-year-olds make some of the best artwork (I'm a little biased though, as I have a brand new 7-year-old today who makes some of my favorite artwork).

Maram, the mother of Ahmed, connected with me a few weeks ago and let me know that Ahmed loves making art and loves going to school. Unfortunately, he is currently living inside a displacement camp in Gaza with his parents and two siblings.

Despite it all, he's trying to stay positive, and continuing to make some great artwork. The artwork on this Instagram post is all created by Ahmed. He has made stickers and t-shirts and if you have the means and could help support him and his family it would mean the world to them. You can buy his t-shirt at this link here.

The children of this world often deserve so much better than we give them. They are precious, beautiful, and inspiring. Here's to hoping that Ahmed, his siblings and children everywhere grow up to achieve their wildest dreams.

If you have the means and can help support, you can donate to Ahmed’s family below.

donate directly to ahmed's family here

FROM THE COLLECTIVE

Dinah is a Los Angeles born and raised musician turned artist. She mostly paints from memory or imagination but will often use the faces of musicians and actors to complete a piece. Her other influences are tarot cards, alternate universes, the surreality of Whittier, the idea of many lives living under the same sky, and dreams.

available for purchase

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

» MEET THE COLLECTOR SERIES PART SIXTY-NINE — Adam Oestreich, Iowa «

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