Kindred Alabama Artists
In their simplicity, wit, and choice of rural imagery, Frank Calloway’s scrolls evoke the paintings of three other Alabama artists: Bill Traylor, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, and Mose Tolliver.
Bill Traylor
“The visual artwork of native Alabamian Bill Traylor (1854-1949) is as distinctive and original as was his art studio. Traylor is one of a number of famous artists throughout history who did not attend formal art classes. His works reflect his surroundings in bold imagery and striking colors and often feature human figures and animals.”
Bill Traylor, from Encyclopedia of Alabama
Collage of Traylor’s art featured on brochures and magazines.
Jimmy Lee Sudduth
Photograph by Doris Blum of Jimmy Lee Sudduth and Alan Blum
“Self-taught artist Jimmy Lee Sudduth (1910–2007) spent his entire life in a modest home in Fayette County in west Alabama, even as he rose to prominence as of one of the great southern folk artists of the twentieth century. He captured the attention of local, national, and international art collectors, galleries, and museums for his portraits and depictions of local scenes, still lifes, and animals created with natural pigments and mud.”
Reynolds-Neu SR: Famous in Fayette and way beyond. Jubilation Vol 1 No 1, Published by the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa, August 2000.
The Life and Art of Jimmie Lee Sudduth. Published by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts in 2005 in conjunction with an exhibition of his works.
In October, 2000, Fayette Art Center director Jack Black and Dr. & Mrs. Blum visited the Fayette house and studio of Jimmy Lee Sudduth, who gave an impromptu harmonica concert and commented on his artworks. They were joined in informal conversation by his cousin OC Sudduth. (10:32)
Alan Blum’s notes and sketch of Jimmy Lee Sudduth
Alan Blum’s notes and sketch of Jimmy Lee Sudduth
“Local artist paints folk art with dirt, sugar”
Article by Matt Ehlers
The Tuscaloosa News
February 24, 2001
“Here’s mud for your eye: Folk artist Jimmy Lee Sudduth’s fame puts nary a smudge on his down-to-earth talent” (2 pages)
Article by Michael Huebner
The Birmingham News
August 23, 2001
“Suddeth’s emotion made his art special”
Column by Tommy Stevenson
The Tuscaloosa News,
September 16, 2007
Mose Tolliver
Mose Ernest Tolliver (ca. 1920-2006) was one of the most popular outsider artists in Alabama. His colorful paintings on found wood boards depict fruits, vegetables, farm animals, and risque women, and his signature has a distinctive backwards “s.”
Mose Tolliver, from Encyclopedia of Alabama
Haardt A: Lilies, Jaybirds, and George: The Art in Mose T’s trees. Alabama Heritage Fall 2008.
“Mose Tolliver, Folk Painter of Outsider Art, is Dead”
Obituary
The New York Times
November 3, 2006
On a visit by Dr. Blum and Sue Gaskins to Mose T’s home in Montgomery in November 1999, he shared his love of gardening and talked about his paintings of the tree of life, flowers, pumpkins, old dead trees, and owls. (11:00)
Alan Blum’s notes and sketch of Mose Tolliver
Alan Blum with Mose Tolliver