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