Self Taught, Outsider, and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources [Paperback]

Betty-Carol Sellen (Author), Cynthia J. Johanson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 078640745X | ISBN-13: 978-0786407453 | Publication Date: December 1999 | Edition: Subsequent

This is a guide to self-taught and outsider artists in the United States, also called folk artists, and to their work. Interest in this field is exploding and information on hundreds of artists and the places where their work may be viewed or purchased is provided in this book. The first part covers galleries, art centers, museums, recent major exhibitions, organizations, publications and educational opportunities. Within each category, the entries are arranged by state, and each entry contains information such as address, telephone number and contact person, as well as a description and a list of the featured artists. The second part of the book provides biographies of the artists themselves, including information on styles and techniques. This guide will prove helpful to both the curious newcomer and the serious collector. Both established and newer artists are included, and all information is current. The comprehensive index allows for easy reference.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Updated from 20th Century American Folk, Self Taught and Outsider Art, this book remains an important resource on what continues to be an area of great interest to collectors. Sellen and Johanson, both members of the American Library Association and the Folk Society of America, have assembled a well-researched guidebook. The first half is devoted to access. Sections on galleries and museums are organized by state. There is a section for publications, exhibitions, festivals, art centers, organizations, and educational opportunities, all with current contact information. The second half of the book is an alphabetical arrangement of individual artists, including biographical details. Readers will find birth and death dates, personal history, and descriptions of how the artist works as well as why. Since new artists are being discovered regularly and, more often than not, little is known about any of them, this feature is especially valuable. Easy to use, this book is also well indexed. The only things missing are illustrations and price ranges for collectors, but those are not major drawbacks. As stated in the title, this is a guide, physically small enough to carry along to the many venues that display this art. Highly recommended.
-Susan M. Olcott, Powell, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Brooklyn College Professor Emerita Betty-Carol Sellen has authored numerous books in the fields of librarianship and reference. A library consultant, she lives in Deale, Maryland. Cynthia J. Johanson is an Assistant Chief for a division of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. They are both members of the Folk Art Society of America and the American Library Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 326 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub; Subsequent edition (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078640745X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786407453
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,594,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars tops in the field, February 22, 2002

By 

jenifer (ny, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Self Taught, Outsider, and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources (Paperback)

this impeccably researched book is the definitive guide to the field of self-taught/outsider/folk/ (whatever you want to call it) art...if you buy one guide, make this the one (and get the new bibliography by the same authors to go with it) this is my travel and research bible

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional resource book for the collector, May 1, 2001

By 

Linda V. Grishman "choclinda" (Burlington, VT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Self Taught, Outsider, and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources (Paperback)

This book has it all. If you are looking for a particular artist, gallery, state by state list, this is the book for you. Sellen's descriptions of the artists' works are very informative. Although there are no photos, it's easy to imagine the artwork. Many of the artists can be contacted directly and even by phone in some instances. I highly recommend this publication. It has it all.