Vintage Wooden Matchbox collection c. 1926

Selected pages from aVintage Wooden Matchbox collection c. 1926 Collection Jim Linderman

Art of the Homemade Flip Book

Three primitive "flip book" drawings unstapled for your pleasure. Anonymous, circa 1960. The unknown cartoonist created these 4 page sequential gag cartoons to show motion. Well, he tried. Anonymous homemade flip books, c. 1960 Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb

An African-American Calling Card in Calligraphy Mance McDaniel Plantation Entertainer?

Elegant and a bit odd, what appears to be the calligraphic calling card of a 19th century performer. The name is certainly an unusual font. Mance McDaniel was a "Singin, and Dansing Comeden" and someone has written "plantation show" on the reverse of the card in pencil. I haven't found anything but maybe some of you deep divers into data will find something for me. I did find a reference that the name "Mance" has been derived from "emancipation" at times, so this could be an old time musicianer who entertained sometime around then? 19th Century Calling Card. Collection Jim Linderman

Antique American Folk Art Button Table Mat

A somewhat obsessive table mat with over 1,000 individually sewn buttons, circa 1940. 18" x 30" with irregular patterns. The piece is sewn over thin cardboard mailed from Sears to Maine...and an old spaghetti box! Hand-sewn folk art button collection sewn on a table mat. Circa 1940. Collection Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Antique Folk Art Animal Carvings with Original Paint

Antique Folk Art Animal Carvings with Original Paint. "Make-do" mounted with wires. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Wood Carving Folk Art Puppet Head original paint circa 1950

Wooden Folk Art Puppet Head original paint circa 1950 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Antique American Folk Art Automobile Collection. Made by Hand Vintage Wood Carving Toys c. 1930 Original Paint

Antique American Folk Art Automobile Collection. Made by Hand Vintage Wood Carving Toys c. 1930 Original Paint. Each approx. 6" long. These from a large group which also includes several trucks, etc. Collection Jim Linderman

Antique Folk Art Paper Cut / Folded Paper Froebel "Kindergarten" Projects circa 1903 - 1904 by Kenneth Miles Litchfield, CT Collection Jim Linderman

Antique Folk Art Paper Cut / Folded Paper Froebel "Kindergarten" Projects circa 1903 - 1904 by Kenneth Miles, Litchfield, CT. The boy was around ten years old when these were created. Loose bound with a ribbon, each piece is 9" x 9". Collection Jim Linderman

Apocalyptic Worship of the Antichrist Photograph of an Unknown Painting

Apocalyptic Worship of the Antichrist Photograph of an Unknown Painting.  This is an original photograph circa 1920 (?) of a work I haven't identified.  We'll have to rely on the frightening notes from the reverse.  Tribulation Worship of the Antichrist, Rider of the white horse also dark horse of the famine, gray horse of Death, the lambs book of life.  Is your name written there? 

Original photograph, no date collection Jim Linderman

Folk Art Emoji : Astonished Man

Folk Art Emoji.  Wood carving with brad eyes.  
Collection Jim Linderman

Vernacular Photographs: Let Us Entertain You

Vernacular Photographs: Let Us Entertain You.  A few forgotten performers.  Original photographs collection Jim Linderman

I'm not at the Outsider Art Fair 2020 Annual Post Children's Art Art Brut ?

The Outsider Art Fair snuck up on me this year, and while I haven't gone in a decade, for the same amount of time I've tried to come up with something interesting to share during the season.  This year the showing of Children's Artworks of the 1930s from the Kuniyoshi Collection made a choice easy, as I've been fascinated by the relationship between schooling and art creation a long time.  The psychological aspects of development through exposure to public schooling and mass media is relatable to both Outsider Art and and that of trained artists, children and otherwise.  I've collected some good examples of art from the age of development in which artists become artists…and the tools and techniques provided through schooling.  There is a period when artists decide they have become artists. 

From the start, I've avoided refrigerator art.  I suppose every child for the last hundred years in the United States has been handed paints and brushes in class at some time.  However, it is the exceptional students I look for.  Quirky examples with both beauty and some wonder…those with a little extra drive and motivation.  In each case, I will link to further pieces which have been posted here.  Hopefully, what will be revealed is a dozen categories of interest.

An example of the broad strokes and "folky" art of a child.  The subject matter is important, as Lou Gehrig was likely a hero to the artist.  This is an example of what I call Refrigerator Art.  If you are a parent, you'll understand. Anonymous c. 1939  Original Post

Boys like to draw war and weapons.  It is unfortunate we live in a world in which they are common.  Still, the most lovely and interesting work can be characterized by the same creative impulses which arise in in a child in a manner similar to that of talented adults.  Kenneth Hetrick 1931 
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In this case, it is a schoolgirl drawing the Man of Steel and Lois.  A good example of art influenced by popular culture, yet still showing an individualistic approach. Audrey K. circa 1950 
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Handmade books by children are common.  Here,  a schoolgirl creates a nice one using the preferred paper of children.  Manila!  Darlene Olds 1934  Original Post

Pages from a miniature cookbook 4" x 6" created circa 1940 - 1945 by Carol Birkett and her friend Patty.  Original text directions and a few clipped from magazines.  Original Post

The cover of a handmade sewing manual created as a class assignment. The woman on the cover is reading her own book!  Anonymous Circa 1950? Original post

Story of the Corn from scarecrow to the popper!  A narrative by an anonymous 19th century child.
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Art lessons in crayon.  Anonymous practice design reflecting school training circa 1910.  
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Dazzling detail on an Ohio schoolhouse by Ora Maxwell circa 1890.  It is often difficult to determine if a drawing is "folk art" or "art by a child" as  any distinctions can blur.  Original Post

A Jester performs.  An example from the numerous "coloring books" distributed in the late 19th century.  This drawing was copied from a commercial example provided for students to replicate in their own hand.  Anonymous circa 1900 Original Post

 

Circa 1880 Frederich Froebel paper weavings created by children in some of the more enlightened schools.  The educator and scholar was responsible for fitting lots of children into a world where color worked and lines mattered.  Anonymous Original Post

Examples of pre-punched sewing cards which were popular in teaching situations from 1880 on.  Young woman were taught the skills of domestic chores...and the subject matter was often religious.  Moral instruction while learning dexterity.  Anonymous completed sewing cards.
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The last examples are cheating, as they were drawn by a "Magic Pattern" toy from the 1930s or so.  Similar to the later common Spirograph!  Still, likely "drawn" by a child.
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There are plenty of other beautiful examples of art created by the young.  I avoid the psychological and developmental implications when looking for examples to collect.  I'll leave that up to the educators!  Many more examples are found on the blog.  
OTHER EXAMPLES OF I'm not at the outsider art show ARE FOUND ON THE BLOG WITH A CLICK...but one can just browse. See also this CLICK.  Many of the examples here were self published in my book Eccentric Folk Art Drawings of the 19th and 20th Centuries available in a paperback or an affordable instant download.