i LOVE this painting (and folk art in general)

• Vestie Davis (1903–1978)
• New York City
• 1964
• Oil on canvas
• 16 x 20 in.
• American Folk Art Museum, bequest Gloria Bley Miller, 2008.5.16

(found via art bead scene blog)

...........orn in Baltimore, Maryland on November 10, 1903, Davis went to New York City in 1928 and worked as a circus barker, newsstand manager and undertaker. Completely unschooled in the arts, he began painting after seeing a gallery painting on 57th Street. He said, "I can paint like that" and went to the paint store. Within a few days, he completed a work which sold. He is referred to as the city primitive. Discovered by a collector, he was featured at the Museum of American Folk Art. At first he painted only buildings but found that more popular were scenes with people. None of them are ever in a hurry. There is a sense of peace and joy and civility."

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