Basil Merrett Celebrates Lincoln for President's Day Art Brut Outsider Artist

I like to post my holiday celebrations a day early, as if I forget I have to wait another year. The perfect President’s Day post is this work by Basil Merrett, one of my favorite Art Brut artists. While confined in a mental institution Mr. Merrett created hundreds of hand drawn tributes in series, in this case the “Famous People” tributes of which this is number 59 - 60. A simple but no less detailed work reflecting on President Lincoln’s humble beginnings. It is now evident that we would be far better off if ALL our presidents came from humble beginnings. I am glad Basil Merrett isn’t around to pay tribute to the current occupant of the office. He doesn’t deserve it. Basil Merrett “Famous People: Abraham Lincoln c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #artbrut #outsiderart #outsiderartist

Bunny Yeager Documentary on Netflix! The Woman who took Betty Page from dark dirty rooms and brought her to Sunshine!

There is a new documentary on Netflix of Linnea Eleanor "Bunny" Yeager. She was a pioneer woman photographer whose work you know but don't. Those in the art world may be tempted by pass her by as she worked in the pin-up business. That's right, a woman taking pictures of women for men...and in the 1950s no less. Yeager took some shots of a personal, patronizing kind as well: she was named "Prettiest Photographer in the World" by US Camera Magazine in 1953. (With competition from fellows like Weegee, I'm not quite sure how much of an honor this is) Likely the only professional photographer who has had her measurements reported by Celebrity Sleuth, she was also named one of the top ten women "Photographers of the Year" in 1959 by the Professional Photographers of America and has lived long enough to see her work exhibited in a retrospective at the Andy Warhol Museum last year. Not only did Bunny photograph pin-ups for Playboy (and countless other men's magazines) she was a model herself. Born in Pennsylvania, Bunny moved to Florida and soon became one of the most in-demand models on the beach. No less than Joltin' Joe Di Maggio, himself a fine judge of female talent, crowned her "Miami Sports Queen" in 1949. But Bunny had artistic aims and brains along with her beauty and began taking pictures of her fellow models, many of whom posed for free to help her out. She reportedly had an additional advantage...some of the more modest models had no difficulty shedding ALL their clothes for a woman, and much of her early work was nudes rather than the "nearly nudes." made by her male competition. Her empathy and collaboration with the models helped her create stupendous glamor. One of her first works became a cover for Eye Magazine. A few years later she photographed vacationing Bettie Page and sent the pictures to Hugh Hefner. One became the centerfold and Bettie became Playmate of the Month in January 1955. She later took the famous beach photos of Ursula Andress used for the James Bond film Dr. No. She liked Hollywood...much of her work was for the industry even if her credits read like a "B Movie" festival. Bunny is still doing still work from what I can tell. by Jim Linderman Uncredited Photographs published in "Scamp" magazine 1957

Dull Tool Dim Bulb receives a Valentine Card

Sharing it with ALL our followers then, now and in the future! Happy Valentines Day to all.

Naive, Folky postcard illustration for Singer Trailer Park in Florida.

Here is a naive, folky illustration used to advertise the Singer Trailer Court in Pensacola, Florida. The artist isn’t identified. I can’t find anything about the place. This is a “linen” postcard popular from 1930 to 1950. A great anonymous drawing. Singer Trailer Court original postcard c. 1950 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Handmade antique Paper Doll from Texas made of Leather and Fabric Scraps Armed! c. 1935

Handmade Paper Doll made of leather and assorted fabric depicting an armed cowgirl (!) Texas origin c. 1935. Note holster and pistol. Was the maker influenced by Bonnie Parker, who with Clyde Barrow was robbing Texas banks until they were shot in 1934? Note Holster and gun. I purchased this set from the daughter of the maker, so this is a special set. I’ll take good care of it. ** **Handmade “paper” doll set of leather and fragments of fabric. Circa 1935, Texas. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Blog. #paperdolls. #paperdoll #folkart. #texas. #handmade. #homemade.

Folk Art Homemade Pot Holder depicting a JUG !

Homemade Folk Art Pot Holder of a JUG! Crochet. Frankly, this is one great handmade pot holder. I figure it dates between “depression era” and “mid 20th century” and appears to be old but never used. (Vintage pot holders are the last affordable folk art) Vintage pot holder collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb the blog.

Blanch Ackers African-American Folk Art Details from six works. Black History Month

I’ve written about Blanch Ackers before as I have a handful of drawings,but I’m sharing these close-up photos to show how detailed her work is. Every blade of grass is drawn! Blanch Ackers moved from Arkansas to near Detroit, Michigan in 1943. In 1985 she found employment in a Foster Grandparent program and was introduced to art by Christine Hennessay, an art teacher. She was over 70 years of age when her first drawings were produced. Essentially "memory paintings" the work reflects strongly the African-American experience in the Southern United States where she spent her childhood. Blanch Ackers passed in 2003 at the age of 88. Ms. Ackers has a wikipedia entry, and her works are held by the University of Michigan Art Museum Blanch Ackers. Details from six untitled drawings, c.1990 Collection Jim Linderman

"No Trump" Folk Art Cat Handmade Card Game Suit indicator c. 1950

A “no trump” card came is one where no suit is designated as the trump suit. The highest card wins the trick. This is a vintage Bridge card game “tally” which is set to remind players the match has no trump or to indicate the suit which is. Interestingly, in British Slang, “to trump” is a common term for flatulence. Folk Art Cat suit indicator in cat form, Mid 20th Century. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Woman in Profile Snow Sculpture with Hidden Humans Providing Contrast

We wouldn't be able to see this great snow woman without the family behind her holding up a black blanket for contrast. Original Snapshot, early to mid 20th c. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

ORIGINAL WOOD CAUTION WET RIDE carnival sign collection Jim Linderman. Original Paint. Circa 1940

This is my ORIGINAL WOODEN "Caution Wet Ride" carnival sign, circa 1940, which has been widely reproduced without my permission by unscrupulous eBay scammers who now sell cheap knock-offs printed on METAL. This despite the obvious wood grain on my piece. I posted it originally years ago. eBay is basically a platform for people who should not be in business. Alas. There are actually two sellers shilling cheap copies of my sign. No credit, no reward. Shameful. From my experience, the sellers may take it down when I complain to them, but they seem to come back in the next cycle. There have been other examples of things I own being reproduced. Unfortunate and screw them. Shameless. At least they haven’t figured out yet to print it on a wooden board or how to age the paint. Original hand painted carnival sign reading CAUTION WET RIDE c. 1940. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb.

Primitive handmade Victorian Table Mat Folk Art

Primitive handmade Victorian Table Mat Folk Art. Vibrant (and unusual) colors and hand stitching on this velour mat. 20" x 20" with curious stichings surrounding the center. Collection Jim Linderman c. 1900

Figures at Rochers Sculptés in Rothéneuf, France. Real Photo Postcard collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Figures at Rochers Sculptés in Rothéneuf, France. Real Photo Postcard collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Tramp Art folded Paper two part Frame with Heart

Tramp Art folded Paper two part Frame with Heart. Collection jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Human Fly. Pair of real photo postcards of a Human Fly scaling buildings collection Jim Linderman

Human Fly. Pair of real photo postcards of a Human Fly scaling buildings. Early 20th Century, both shown in detail

Primitive Box in Blue Paint Michigan Origin late 19th, early 20th c. Collection Jim Linderman

Primitive Box in Blue Paint Michigan Origin late 19th, early 20th c. 20 inches long Collection Jim Linderman

Large Antique Native American Woodlands Storage Basket

A VERY large Native American storage basket from the Great Lakes region. 28 inches tall and over 50 inches around. Found in Michigan and possibly of Chippewa origin. Natural dye splints with “Potato” stamped decoration. The Chippewa (also known as the Ojibwe) are traditionally considered a Woodland Native American tribe. Their culture and lifestyle developed in the Great Lakes regions. I believe this dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. The basket lid has a considerable dark patina.There are a few splint breaks around the rim and some chips on the sides but is well-persevered overall. One of the largest Antique Woodlands basket I have seen. Large Woodlands Tribe storage basket with handles, lid and potato-stamped decoration. Late 19th, Early 20th Century. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Collection of Ball in Cage Folk Art Whimsey Carvings

Folk Art Whimsey Carvings AKA Ball in Cage wood carvings. Dull Tool Dim Bulb Archives.

Emil Gerke Folk Art Whirligig Field Near the Grand Coulee Dam Two Views

I do not know if Emil Gehrke, above, imagined his whirligigs turned into color and moved to a new property near the Grand Coulee Dam, but they were. Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Blog