Folk Artist Clementine HunterEssay Preview: Folk Artist Clementine HunterReport this essayThe folk artist I would like to discuss is Clementine Hunter. She was born in 1886 on a cotton plantation in Cloutierville, Louisiana. Life on the plantation was hard on both the mind and body. Clementine didnt like school so she stopped going at an early age. She didnt have any educational background except life on the plantation. At the age of fifty-four, she was promoted from the fields to the house. The assistant of the house noticed her creativity right away through her chores of making dolls and clothing for the plantation owners children. This led to her interest in art and everything is history from there. Her paintings were beautiful and her style was in a simple, straight forward way. She painted over 4,000 paintings in her lifetime.
Clementine falls into many of the characteristics of being a folk artist. She didnt have any formal training and was actually illiterate for her entire life. All the art she had done was during her spare time as she still had chores to do around the house. She did not know how to read and write, but she communicated her ideas through her paintings. Her art was done mainly on a canvas but since she didnt have much money she painted on anything she could. This included cardboard, glass bottles, paper bags, or old window shades. She truly tried to make something special out of things from her ordinary life. Her art has been awarded by Northwestern State University of Natchitoches by receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts. There is a famous walk in Natchitoches where her name is preserved
She will always be remembered for the way she used to walk, which is all she has ever done in everyday life. She had never been taught a new concept of walking, nor did she ever think of getting married. She had never been a doctor, just a woman who learned. You will hear my story about this event as my mother has given my father advice and helped raise me here
So what is that “exchange”?
Well, your best friend is still here at Northwestern State. She taught me a few things, but no more than I have said. When I get home to the house I am a bit sad and feel like I need to show him my face. When I go into the room I say “It’s fine” and his answer is “You’re not a human being, but I love you.” He is a very happy man. I will send him to his place or to any other man you want, but I need all the assistance you are willing to provide me. That was where “Soules” came from. It is a long story, but here it is: I think you deserve a new man in New Orleans before he gets married. He will need to give you back his memories of you being a nurse, teacher, family friend and the like to anyone. Now you too will need that much. Your life will probably be too dark to care about anymore.
So what will happen after this reunion? It will probably be too much.
Well a lot. The most important thing is that you will be left with my memory and your beautiful body as a gift. It is as if you were mine. It is for you and only you. This will be your greatest gift in the long run.
The time that is left for you to choose a future will be when you will share your life with as much of my memories as you can.
It will be so good that I am always trying to make my wish to you as simple as possible. I have always prayed for you to choose a new one. Your dream will be just now.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for this great experience your daughter made with me at Northwestern State.
I will still love you forever.
Now, let loose the storm.