❥ open this you will

happy birthday william hawkins and shout out always and forever to dean millien

THIS WEEK IN OUTSIDER ART

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WILLIAM HAWKINS Yoda (1984) // Enamel on Masonite; 60 x 36 1/2 in. (152.4 x 92.7 cm) via Ricco Maresca Gallery

"William Hawkins was raised on a farm in Kentucky and learned to draw by copying illustrations from horse-auction announcements and calendar pictures. When he was twenty-one, he moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he painted the cityscapes and fantastic animals for which he is best known.

Hawkins painted his earliest large works on scavenged board, which he found on construction sites near his home. The frames are constructed of cast-off pieces of wood molding nailed directly to the painted panel. In spite of his age, Hawkins retained the vitality and enthusiasm of youthful discovery, and said he drew 'for all the young people in the United States.' As an affirmation of his spirit for life, he signed many paintings with his birthdate, July 27, 1895." (Smithsonian American Art Museum)

Davis Wohlford mixed media collages on paper; 12"x12" via North Pole Studio

KAY LE SEELLEUR ARA The Woman Who Collected Bodies (2024) // Acrylic on Board; 20.125 x 20.125 x .75 inches (51 x 51 x 2 cm) — available for purchase via the artist in the FolkArtwork Collective shop

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MAMIE DESCHILLIE Cow with calf and spotted dog cutout (date unknown) // Mixed media on cardboard; 20 in. x 26 inches via Mutual Art

RANTEI Skeleton Astride a Skull (c. late 18th–early 19th century; Japan) // Ivory; H. 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm); W. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm); D. 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm) via The Met Museum

mid-20th century memory jugs via Smithsonian American Art Museum

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LIONEL Untitled (Toilet-Shaped Monster) (date unknown) // Graphite pencil drawing on spiral notebook paper; 48 x 31.8 cm via Musee LaM

Marvin Bailey Eyeball Jug with Snake (c. 2000s) via Ledbetter Folk Art Auction

GAGETOWN HOOKERS (Ernest and Lydia Scott) “Nude” (date unknown) // Hooked rug; 18” L x 44” W (approx.) via Black Sheep Gallery

LOVE LÉONCE Untitled (2025) // Acrylic on board; 16.25 x 12 inches (41.3 x 30.5 cm) via Cavin-Morris Gallery

Aluminum foil gorilla by Dean Millien (c. 2023) // Aluminum Foil; 9.5 x 6 x 7.5 inches via Summertime Gallery

TERESA WATSON He Just Stares (2021) // Ink & acrylic on illustration board; 16.5 x 22” via Webb Gallery

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FEATURED ARTIST OF THE WEEK

REDA RACKLEY Conjure Woman (2026) // Mixed media, paint on canvas; 16 x 20inches courtesy the artist

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FRIENDS WHO NEED YOUR HELP…

Times are tough everywhere. Please support these friends if you are willing and able.

• PALESTINE: My friend Maram and her children are still suffering in Gaza and could use your help for basic necessities to live a daily life.

• HAITI: My friend Jerry and his students had to leave their art studio after a fire broke out, and due to the violence happening in Haiti, you can donate to them here or purchase a work of art from one of Jerry’s art students.

• NYC: Artist Max Colby has been suffering from medical issues for the past year and has been unable to make art, and could use your help if you’re willing and able, as she recovers from surgeries.

• COLORADO: Daniel Bishop, son of the visionary artist and creator of Bishop Castle, has suffered major injuries in an accident near the environment, plus the Colorado wildfires are dangerously close to the castle and could use your help as they recover.

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SHOUT OUT

Shout out as always to self-taught alumnium foil artist Dean Millien! Stay tuned for the full interview coming soon!

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FROM THE COLLECTIVE

RENEESHA MCCOY The Fallen Vase (2026) // Acrylic, and Paint Marker on Canvas; 11 x 14 inches (28 x 35.5 cm) — available for purchase via the artist in the FolkArtwork Collective shop

RENEESHA MCCOY is a self-taught artist who began her artistic practice in 2019, living and working in North Carolina. Working primarily in acrylics and oil pastels, she often explores various mediums like colored pencil, ink, and paint markers. A central theme in Reneesha’s work is her celebration of life’s consequences and nature. Primarily in relation to the female body, her work is uniquely abstract.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• 12: “Narrow” Larry Harris + Art Environments // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 11: Ricky Boscarino of Luna Parc // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 10: Jo Farb Hernández & Art Environments // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 09: Bill Miller + “Self-Made” Exhibit // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 09: Valérie Rousseau + American Folk Art Museum // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• Pam Puck Drop: Self-Taught Artwork For Purchase From Around The Globe

• 08: Ryan Ward + Ralph Fasanella // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 07: Pam Puck + “CC” // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• The FolkArtwork Collective Returns To The Outsider Art Fair

• 06: Barry Colpitts + Maud Lewis // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• “Unsung Heroes” by Self-Taught Artist Noel Hatfield at Wake Up Iowa’s Sideroom Gallery

• 05: Esteban Whiteside + Steve Ashby // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 04: Jennifer Gilbert + Shinichi Sawada // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 7 Folk Art Books for Kids This Holiday Season

• 03: Isa Segalovich + Merry Cemetery & Montrel Beverly // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 02: Alex Huninghake + Minnie Adkins // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• 01: Kylie Ryu + J.B. Murray // “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• The “FolkArtwork and Friends” Podcast

• Postcards for Palestine

• Watch These Short Documentaries on Outsider Artists and Art Environment Visionaries

• Shop Original Artwork From Self-Taught Artists Around The Globe

• Introducing The FolkArtwork Collective

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Follow FolkArtwork on INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE and shop original artwork from self-taught and emerging artists across the globe.

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Check out the BONUS NEWSLETTER w/BONUS OUTSIDER ART out every Wednesday!

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Thanks to everyone for subscribing and supporting this newsletter — it means a lot to me and I love that other people are enjoying this artwork as much as me. If you haven’t yet, consider subscribing to the paid newsletter for bonus outsider art every Wednesday morning.

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