Vernacular Photographs: Let Us Entertain You

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

Risque Party Brief Panties from Pennsylvania

A small cure for the winter blues...Risque party pants from Pennsylvania! There was at least one other similar example with jokes about Pensacola.  Circa 1950 Collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Early 20th Century Handmade Puppet Folk art Collection Jim Linderman

Early 20th Century Handmade Puppet Collection Jim Linderman.  Paper mache with printed flour sack clothes.

Love During Wartime Risque Matchbooks of World War Two

Risque set of graphic Matchbook Covers circa 1940 - 1945.  Somewhat primitive renderings of "what the boys are fighting for" pinup propaganda.  Several manufacturers produced them, and they were dispensed as give-a-ways in places men gather.  Collection Jim Linderman.
Love During Wartime is a continuing series on Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Junior After Hit by Bronko Pencil Drawing c. 1950 by Mildred Julia Radalis

Junior After Hit by Bronko  Pencil Drawing c. 1950 by Mildred Julia Radalis.  A drawing which would have fit into yesterday's Outsider Art Fair post!  Upside the HEAD.  Original drawing 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 
Original Post

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 
Original Post 

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.
Original Post

Art lessons in crayon.  Anonymous practice design reflecting school training circa 1910.  
Original Post

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.
Original Post

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.
Original Post

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.

Where are Marion and Irma? Vernacular Photographs

Marion and Irma are playing games at the Sally Rand Nude Revue show at the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939 San Francisco.  Pair of original snapshot photographs 
Collection Jim Linderman

Folk Art Risque Sliding Novelty Erotic Carving Large!

Folk Art Risque Sliding Novelty Erotic Carving Large!  Circa 1930.
Collection Jim Linderman

Postage Stamp Ruse of 1935. Swapped Heads fool Uncle Sam

I discovered a fellow tricking Uncle Sam way back in 1935.  See anything wrong with the two examples of stamps on top here?  The 1 cent  stamp is supposed to depict Franklin, yet Lincoln fills the center!  The 2 cent stamp is supposed to depict Washington, but this one has Nathan Hale.  In the second example, Franklin has been replaced with Washington!  What the?  Both envelopes have been mailed and the rogue stamps cancelled.  The four relevant and proper stamps follow below.  Pretty good, eh?  Actually, one Charles Bradley expertly clipped out and swapped the heads before mailing them back to himself.  Why?  I dunno.  I think some folks just like to put one over on the government.  A while ago I gave an interview in which I claimed not to be a stamp collector.  I guess I am now.

Mixed up US postage stamps circa 1935 Collection Jim Linderman

Vintage Handmade Paper Doll Folk Art and Backdrop circa 1930 Anonymous

Vintage Handmade Folk Art Paper Doll and Backdrop circa 1930? Anonymous.