Customer Reviews

Art From Her Heart

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Clementine Hunter, one of America's most famous self-taught artists and the first African American woman to display her work in the New Orleans Museum of Art, did not begin to paint until she was in her fifties. With little interest as a young girl in going to school, she had worked most of her life as a paid agricultural laborer on Melrose Plantation, picking cotton, gathering pecans, and doing domestic work.

Because Melrose attracted numerous artists-in-residence, Clementine was able to use left-over or donated art supplies to start painting. With her extraordinary artistic talent and ability to tell stories of plantation life through pictures, Clementine gradually started to show her art pieces in galleries and sell her work for increasing values. Sadly, the country's segregation laws prevented her from attending her own gallery exhibits during business hours, and she had to wait until after hours to see her work on display.

Art from her Heart is a superb book that gives younger readers the opportunity to learn about Clementine Hunter's important contributions to folk art and the obstacles she faced as an African American woman artist. Closely integrated into the story are important economics lessons related to farm work, human resources, and discrimination. The stunning illustrations and art-piece reproductions add a powerful dimension with which the reader can more fully appreciate Clementine's story and her talent.

Because I read this story I have come to know Clementine Hunter

and my life is richer for the experience. What an inspiration!

This should be mandatory reading for every artist, young or old.

Art from Her Heart not only delivers a punch with its information about Clementine and her perseverance, but also gives a fascinating look into the past. How living conditions have changed as well as attitudes are underlying facets in this many layered picture book. Perfect for budding artists, older artists and wannabe artists, and also filled with terrific ideas for painting on unusual surfaces.

I'm so grateful to have been introduced to Clementine Hunter and her amazing story, and I think you'll feel the same way too.

Clementine Hunter was born sometime in late 1886, early 1887 and was a descendant of slaves. She worked as a manual laborer on a plantation in Louisiana. At the age of 50 she decided she wanted to paint. So she used leftover paint that artists gave her and began to paint on any surfaces she could find--old boards, window shades and glass bottles. Her pictures were drawn from memory, and gave a snapshot of life on the plantation. She painted scenes of working life on the plantation, as well as happy celebrations. Soon she decided to charge admission so that people could see her work, and put a sign on her gate that read: "Art Exhibit. Admission 25 cents."

Years later, her art made it to a big museum in New Orleans. Although in those days she was not allowed in during working hours, but instead had to wait until after hours to see her own work on display.

This is a wonderful little story on so many levels. It introduces children to a remarkable woman who at the ripe old age of 50 (!) decides to follow her dream. It also introduces them to that period in history where segregation was the norm. They will feel incensed when Clementine Hunter is not allowed into the museum that is displaying her work during working hours. It's a perfect segue into talking about that dark period of American history. The illustrations are colorful and bold, and the ideal backdrop to the story. There's an author's note at the end, which tells more about Ms. Hunter, and includes some snapshots of some of her folk art.