I am a self-taught portrait painter. About 4 years ago, I was traveling again with my husband. Waiting in the hotel room for him to come back. There was paper and a pen in the room and suddenly I thought I can paint a portrait. It just came to me. So I started, later bought a watercolor set. Then I challenged myself to paint one portrait a day, just to see where I would be in a year or so. Experimented with coffee and red wine. The latter did not work. About a year ago, I started painting with acrylic.

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Bill Traylor was an African-American artist born into slavery in the mid-1800’s, incredibly beginning his career as a self-taught artist at the age of 85.

Some of his most notable works of art were those that depicted his memories of plantation life in Montgomery, Alabama.

Born on April 1, 1854, Traylor’s family were slaves who continued to farm after emancipation.  When Traylor was 85 years old, he slept in a back room of a funeral home after moving to Montgomery from Benton in Lowndes County.  During daylight hours, Traylor would use supplies he had found such as cardboard pieces from shirt packaging and pencil stubs to create his impression of the people he saw passing by, and of plantation life as he remembered it from his youth.  He would then exhibit his drawings by hanging them on a fence for passers-by to see.

In his 80’s Traylor produced more than 1,200 drawings!

From that point until he was close to 90, Traylor would produce more than 1,200 drawings.  While his art was simplistic, mostly delineated geometric forms and figures, Traylor’s works of art never gained attention and popularity until nearly 30 years after his death.

While his drawings were exhibited at a show organized by Victor E. D’Amico in New York in 1942, none of Traylor’s artwork sold.

It was only in the late 1970’s when Traylor’s drawings became recognized and popular with the public as well as critics.  Charles Shannon, a painter who Traylor had met in his later years and who had purchased art supplies for Traylor, had kept his friend’s drawings over the years before unveiling them to museum and art dealers and professionals.

Startlingly Modernistic

Some of the art work created by Traylor were done simply with pencil and “found” cardboard scraps, while others included poster paint, colored pencils, and crayons.  Much of his work is called “startlingly” modernistic; today, his work has become some of the most sought-after of that created by self-taught artists.

Traylor’s Art Work is Held in Numerous Public Collections

Amazingly considering the simplistic nature of his works and his elderly age when he really put his talent to use, Traylor’s art work is held in numerous public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, High Museum of Art, and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Prior to his death at a nursing home in Montgomery in 1949, the artist had traveled to Washington D.C. in 1942 where he lived with his children during World War II until 1945, when he returned to Montgomery and lived on the street once again.  Ultimately, he was urged to  move in with a daughter in the area by relief workers.

Bill Traylor’s story is one that is tragic in a way, considering he will never know the popularity of his work and impact of his talent. However, film maker Jeffrey Wolf (Director/Producer/Editor) has made the documentary Chasing Ghosts which captures the essence of Bill Traylor’s work and life.

•Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts Trailer from jeffrey wolf on Vimeo.

It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw

Today Bill Traylor is considered to be one of the most important self-taught American folk artists. Winner of Lee & Low’s New Voices Award Honor, It Jes’ Happened is a lively tribute to this man who has enriched the world with more than twelve hundred warm, energetic, and often humorous pictures.

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What are some of the most popular myths about the successful self-taught? We’ll debunk a few of them here:

Entrepreneurs are anti-social.

While it may often seem like many of us who are dedicated to reaching success mostly on our own devices are anti-social or introverted somehow, the fact is we simply get “wrapped up” in our work, and usually have an enormous capacity for focus. Not introverted, just dedicated to getting where we want to go!

The self-taught are risk-taking gamblers.

Nothing could be further from the truth! If anything, those of us who are designers, writers, or professional artists are control freaks who will only get involved in the game if they can use their own marked deck of cards. If anything, we usually avoid taking risks that could actually further our success because – well, it just seems too risky.

Men are geared more toward entrepreneurialism than women.

What? No way! This is a HUGE lie – in fact, women have the same abilities as men, but are actually at an even bigger advantage in one area – growing a business to successful levels after it has launched. Why is this? Most women “connect” with others naturally and build a stronger foundation because of their outreach to others. Some Men typically only reach out to determine if their competition is beating them, or for reasons related to money. Oh well, as the old saying goes, “boys will be boys.”

A college degree is necessary for success.

Ha! The truth of the matter is most self-taught successful people have no college degree, they’re simply driven and have no aversion to digging and scratching their way through whatever it takes to reach their goals. Need proof? A few of the self-starters who ended up reaching unimaginable success without a degree include the founders of IKEA, McDonald’s and the Ford Motor Company.

Other common myths about those who choose to teach themselves whatever it is they want to learn is that it’s easy, and that anyone can achieve their dreams as long as they have a great idea.

You don’t have to have a great idea, all that is required is that you’re passionate about what you do, and dedicated to making it work – and sometimes the learning process and work involved leave you drained and downright exhausted, but in the end it’s definitely worth it.

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Those who “teach” themselves art can understandably become frustrated, particularly as a beginner. You have a bit of skill, you realize that – but how do you nurture your talent and bring out the real “artist” in you? Whether you paint landscapes in watercolor, still life works in oil or acrylic, or love abstract works of art, sometimes it’s easy to feel as though you have reached your limit in terms of your skill or imagination.

However, as an artist did you know that there really is no limit when it comes to creative, imaginative, and beautiful art? You can learn to “hone” your skills and grow as an accomplished self-taught artist.

1. Your Mindset – Give Yourself Permission

To hone in on your skills, first hone in on believing you can. Self-doubt is the biggest quencher of creativity. Artists are sensitive and harder on themselves. It’s easy to give up when you don’t believe in your work. Don’t let the fear of other people’s judgement stop you from creating your work. Judgement ties in with self-doubt. Give yourself permission, sometimes you can’t wait for the people in your life to give you the approval.

2. Don’t compare your work with other artists.

Sure, it seems almost impossible to do. You see other people’s works of art and are amazed at their talent. You cruise Instagram looking at the talent of artists throughout the world and you feel… “name your feeling“.

You are an individual, so your work should reflect your own skill, talent, and creativity. Other artists’ work can inspire you and give you ideas, but never look at others’ work and let it make you feel inferior. As artists, we never ever stop growing in regards to our skills, talent, and learning – it’s an ongoing process. Don’t stop!

3. Focus.

In a busy world, it’s easy to get distracted. Sometimes you look at a blank canvas or paper, and you think that’s as far as you will get. Disconnect from distractions, sit and relax your mind; block out everything else, focus on the energy of what you are creating – This is the power of art.

Let your creative juices flow, and when they begin, don’t hold back! Put those beautiful colors on the canvas and let it lead where it may.

4. Keep it simple.

When you are in the beginning phase and just starting to develop your talent, stick with one or two media such as watercolor or charcoal. Start with a simple subject, and don’t even attempt a project that’s really intense or complex, such as painting a huge panorama depicting horses, meadows and spicy colored woolen blankets.

You should start simple, drawing or painting fruits, bowls, water pitchers, and other things that are really basic. As you master the most basic, you can build out and begin adding shadows, light, and other elements that give your work dimension. Eventually you will find yourself painting the most complex art works that seem to come alive on the canvas, filled with texture, shadows, light, color – life!

5. Gratitude: Feel blessed for the talent you have been given.

Not everyone has the ability to create art, and not everyone can even learn it with someone else teaching. If you have been blessed with artistic ability, be happy with doing your personal best, and know that studying your favorite artists’ works and practice will take you to new levels that will excite and inspire you!

Honing your skills when you’re an artist is a process that continues forever; be inspired, be motivated, and most of all let your art reflect yourself and your passion!

You Might Find these Articles Helpful:

Am I good enough: Beyond Fear
Is this you? Common Traits of Artists
Essential Tips for Keeping your skills and Life in Order
Getting Paid what your worth – How do you value your work?

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Style: African American art/ surrealism/visionary – Oil on canvas/wood

The subject matter of my work originates from the same place most artist creative endeavors bubble up from. In many of my pieces, I am led to wrestle with certain
perceptions adopted in my past, but also a variety of ideas about the future. Painting has always been about aligning myself with what seems to come natural to me. The philosopher and scholar Joseph Campbell sums it up this way:

“Follow your bliss. If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in the field of your bliss, and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.” — Joseph Campbell

My aim is to effectively communicate this idea to the viewer. With that being said, I am not particularly creative as an individual, rather there is a field of creativity that exist independently, all on it’s own. All we can do as artist is tap into it.

I began painting in the German-town section of Philadelphia, PA in 2006. With more than 2,800 murals, Philly boasts more impressive large scale public paintings than any other city in the world. Living and interacting with the people of that community for over four years heavily impacted my visual style.

I am a ferociously quick study and I have always had a passion for understanding the true nature of things. This type of insight is the driving element behind my work. I use oil paint primarily although I dabble in some mixed media and photography. I like the feeling of maneuvering the thick, pungent, colors over the canvas – which is something I have so far found exclusive to oil paint. Using a wide variety of rich colors, I attempt to communicate the typically over-looked meanings underneath sometimes very simple images. I am six-foot seven inches tall so I appreciate working on a large canvas. I also enjoy working quickly with large brushes. The intent of most of my subject matter is to suggest that the viewer seek the true meaning(s) of life…within.

Primarily self-taught, I like to say that I graduated from the prestigious university of blood, sweat, and tears!

The focus of my studies have always been on communicating ideas that challenge people to be curious about their own internal nature. My major visual influences are Salvador Dali, Alex Gray, Remedios Varo, and Jean Michel Basquiat. Fame and fortune have eluded countless great artist so my concentration has never been on either.
I simply love to create! I feel like this is what I have been put here to do. I would like for people to see themselves in my paintings. They are as much about you as they are about me.

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Born in Garden Valley, Idaho in 1899 just nine years after the rural frontier territory was admitted to the Union, James Castle was born deaf, never learning to read, write, or sign but choosing to communicate through his artwork instead. Later determined to be autistic by contemporary medical specialists, Castle spent a significant portion of his life creating art in a desolate chicken house and an icehouse.

James Charles Castle spent his entire life isolated in his family’s home and businesses, other than a six-month period of time spent in the Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind; he was expelled from the school. Sadly, Castle was ridiculed and taunted by others. In fact, relatives would destroy his drawings, often created from items he found including scraps of cardboard and milk containers. It is believed Castle’s parents’ positions as postmasters provided much of the supplies he used to create collages, text and abstract drawings, and color meditations. Perhaps most intriguing of all, Castle would render rustic and pastoral architecture and terrain using soot mixed with saliva, which he would put on the end of a sharpened stick to render works of art much like what results with ink or graphite.

Most of Castle’s artwork was fairly unknown until after his death, although his artistic talents did garner local acclaim at the Boise Gallery of Art in exhibitions in 1963 and 1976, just one year prior to his death. International recognition came later, in fact decades after Castle’s death; in 2011 the first international retrospective of his work was held at the Museo Reina Sofia.

Tom Trusky, who was Director of the Hemingway Western Studies Center and a professor at Boise State University, is credited for bringing Castle’s artwork outside of the confined spaces the artist lived in. Moving to Boise in 1970, Trusky became familiar with Castle’s artwork after hearing of it from acquaintances who knew mostly not of Castle’s amazing talent, but of his reputation as a strange man with inexplicable artistic idiosyncrasies. While an English professor at Boise State, Trusky authored a biography of Castle. Trusky wrote in the biography that James Castle was “obsessed with making art from an early age,” and that he had been “incorrectly declared retarded, even insane.” After much study of Castle’s life, ability, and talent, and analyzation of the artist’s life by members of the medical community, Trusky said he was convinced that Castle was not insane at all, but that he was a classic example of a gifted autistic.

Today, this truly talented outsider artist’s work is exhibited across the U.S. at museums including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum of Art in New York, and the American Folk Art Museum.

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The Written Description of your Artwork is Critical

If you’re a self-taught artist who wants to sell your art online, coming up with 200 or 300 words may seem like a daunting task; after all, you’re an artist, not a writer! That said, when you want to promote your creative works on the Internet, using words – the RIGHT words – is essential. In fact, the written description of your art can be just as critical as the visual in the virtual world. You have to “sell” the virtues and features of your work, offering vivid descriptions for potential buyers.

How to See Your Artwork From Your Buyer’s Point of View

You’re not a writer, and maybe your marketing skills aren’t so great, either. Online, you have to look at your paintings, sketches, and drawings from the potential buyer’s point of view, describing the benefits and features in a way that engages the potential buyer. Art work can be challenging to sell (for a good price), however by connecting the emotional and story value to the work you will increase the value. Details in your descriptions and artist statement will elevate your work. Learn how to write an artist statement here.

Achieve success selling your art online with these tips.

Paint a vivid picture with words.
Describe your creation as if the interested party could not see the painting or drawing. Think of it this way: Pretend the words you use to describe your work is the only experience the reader will ever have of it.

Include details of the colors, being very descriptive about their effect. For instance, dark blue may be included with the word “dusky.” Other descriptive words describing the intensity of color can include diffused, radiant, luminous.

Consider the feeling you can evoke through words.
If a potential client is looking for a painting to use as the focal point over a sofa in the living room, he/she isn’t looking for a sunset with lots of purple and orange. The client is thinking more in terms of a distinctive, eye-catching piece that will evoke a relaxed, soothing feeling. Your words should make potential buyers FEEL the mood or tone of the painting.

Owning Art as a Status Symbol
I’ve found it strange that people who can spend thousands of dollars on furniture in an upscale home will resort to off the shelf cheap art prints mass produced in China. My thoughts are… they don’t think about the wall. Or they don’t know there is a better option. Market your work as a status symbol. An investment. Buying original art can have a financial basis and the potential future value of the painting or sculpture may have been the deciding factor.

Owning original art can lend an air of success to the recipient of the art. It can also be a status symbol of culture, value and meaning.

Scarcity
Don’t be in a rush to sell your work. Human nature is that we all want what we can’t have. Take the approach of scarcity marketing and limit the availability of your work. When producing prints sign and number each one. Be sure and use terms such as limited editions. Words such as; one-of-a-kind collectable, a legacy for future generations, an heirloom piece, timeless. These words convey weight and value.

Social Proof
Use other peoples words about your work. What others say increases visibility. As challenging as it might be, ask for the endorsements of your work. More than just “we like the artwork”.

This is an extraordinary painting of a magnificent horse! I have him framed and up on the wall and is one of the first things you see when you come into my home. Everybody comments on how beautiful this horse and this painting is.

The colors are so vibrant and the expression of the brushstrokes makes it come alive. I bought this for my daughter and she is thrilled.

Sell the experience.
Sure, art is charcoal, pencil, or paint on canvas or other medium – but it isn’t passive!
You aren’t just selling a physical object, you’re selling an experience, a feeling, a moment in time. Explain in your content what your art accomplishes, whether it nurtures and soothes, charms, motivates, or creates an atmosphere.

Even after reading these tips, coming up with the right words may still be tough – but with practice and a little assistance from family and friends who can describe your artwork from their own unique perspectives, you’ll find it becomes much easier!

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Henry Darger has become one of the most influential ‘outsider’ artists of the 20th century. Sadly, he died without ever knowing how popular his work would become. Darger wrote what many describe as an epic tale centered around freeing children from slavery, his drawings and watercolor paintings visually depicting The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion.

Coined in 1972 by art critic Roger Cardinal, the term ‘outsider art’ is used to describe ‘raw’ or ‘rough’ art, even creative works developed by those in insane asylums, or who otherwise had little contact with the art world.

Born in Chicago in 1892, Darger’s mother gave birth to a daughter when Darger was just four years old; his mother died during childbirth, and he never knew his sister. When Henry was just 8 years old, his father, Henry Joseph Darger Sr., was placed at St. Augustine’s Catholic Mission home because he was impoverished and crippled. He died just five years later, essentially leaving Henry Jr. an orphan at the age of 13. Soon after, Henry was placed in an asylum in Lincoln, Illinois, and asylum designed for ‘feeble-minded’ children.

At the asylum he was subject to harsh punishments and forced labor and ultimately escaped a year before the asylum was investigated for abuse. Henry spent only three years in the asylum before escaping and going to work as a custodian in a Catholic hospital in 1908; this would be his job for the next 50 years, although his secret passion was writing and illustrating his manuscript. His manuscript, purported by some to be the “longest book ever written,” was more than 15,000 pages.

Living a hermit’s life, Darger produced hundreds of water-color illustrations of the world he had written about in his manuscript, a world some believed to exist only in Darger’s dreams. Darger’s images were often violent, even brutal, displaying the torture and murder of the children in his stories. They can also be very colorful, playful, sincere and innocent. Darger surely drew upon his life experiences in the asylum. His unique style has given rise to the term “Dargerism”.

This Video takes a Look Inside His Apartment

In creating his works of art, he relied largely on cheap paper and tools, some of his work including cardboard collages. Darger was known to draw on both sides of the cheap paper. John Jerit of Memphis owns American Paper Optics; as an art collector, he primarily collects works created by self-taught and outsider artists. Having a collection of Darger’s works, he said in a news article recently that he simply flips the pieces each year for display purposes.

Darger was considered a smart aleck as a teen, perhaps because he had to be an adult himself at such an early age. Dressing shabbily and collecting what some call a ‘bewildering’ array of trash taken from Chicago streets, this artist’s life can only be described as lonely and sad.

The American Folk Art Museum calls Darger “one of the most significant artists of the twentieth century”. His headstone is inscribed with “Protector of Children” and “Artist.” Some of his works are displayed today at the American Folk Art Museum and Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, New Orleans Museum of Art, and others.

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