The Nutshell (!). A charming folk art environment from the wayback past.

Meet me at The Nutshell. I wish I could make out the indistinct writing over the front door. Original Photograph circa 1930 (?) Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

A GIANT duck costume with a man inside from Missouri c. 1930

Man in a Duck costume meeting the train. Why? I dunno. Original snapshot c. 1930 Lee Jellum photo shop Chillicothe. Missouri Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Giant Articulated Figure Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb the Blog

Giant Articulated Figure. Nearly 5 feet tall with moving arms, legs and joints. It could be a trade figure, but I wonder if it was an industrial tool to show workers how to correctly lift heavy objects? CLICK to see entire figure. C. 1950? Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Folk Art Relief Carving of a Reclining Woman Unknown Artist c. 1950

Folk Art Relief Carving of a reclining woman, no date. 21” long, 10 inches tall. Unknown artist circa 1950. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

How to Get to Heaven and Avoid Hell Original Photogaph of a Religious Banner

How to Get to Heaven and Avoid Hell Original Photogaph of a Religious Banner c. 1920 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Police Puppet Show for Safety. Undated Press Photograph

Police Puppet Show for Safety Undated Press Photograph ? Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Original Art from “Trace and Color” by Anonymous 1937. Crayon on translucent paper Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Original Art from “Trace and Color” by Anonymous 1937. Crayon on translucent paper Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Tintype Copy of a Folk Art Portrait 19th century art and photography merge

A half-plate tintype photograph of an even earlier folk art portrait of a young woman. We might place the portrait to 1825 or 1830, I'm going to say the tintype was taken thirty or forty years later. Taking photographs of paintings was far more common than one may think. One of the powers of the tintype was their ability to be sent in the mail, and many a family portrait was photographed and shared. Additionally, because of floods, fires and mold, often a PHOTO of a painting is all that remains. I would like to hope the painting remains as well, but chances are probably slim. At the top, directly above the figure, the pin used to hold the piece in place to be photographed is also seen. Art historians and folk art collectors alike prize 19th century photographs of paintings, in particular when it may document a missing piece from an artist's body of work. I have not identified either the original artist or the photographer, certainly, and I suppose I never will. Suggestions as to the identity of the painter are welcome. Charming in either medium. Attempts to merge folk art with photography have occurred over the years, some with success. I personally do not think photographs are folk art, but as my blog often shows, one can take a picture of folk art. Half-plate Tintype of a Folk Art Portrait Circa 1860 Dull Tool Dim Bulb Archives

Time for Laundy and some Debt! Handmade Sign with life-size folk art figures orignal photograph

Time for laundry and debt ! Original Sign with life-sized folk art figures Snapshot photograph. "A Copper Washer for a Silver Dollar" was a popular 1920s advertising slogan for Automatic Electric Washers. The promotion allowed customers to purchase a new copper-tub clothes washer with a $1.00 down payment (the "silver dollar”) followed by monthly installments. Original photograph (cropped) Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #folkartsign.

Eight-Pagers from the 1930s The ribald little comics comment on Wallis Simpson and the Royal Scandal.

Well, it’s been scandal after scandal for the Royals, and Prince Andrew may be the worst of them. Creep. It’s not the first dicey debacle to threaten the monarchy…witness this rare Tijuana Bible circa 1936 featuring Wallis Simpson, an American socialite who slept her way around the world then married King Edward VIII after a torrid affair! Edward Abducted, becoming the only British King to volunteer to resign as King. He became the Duke of Windsor. Anyway, this racy little booklet was one of hundreds published in home workshops and underground printing presses which satirized the snooty upperclass and all manner of celebrities. This one is unusual as it was hand colored by crayon! Tijuana Bibles by anonymous c. Late 1930s. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Sewer Tile / Pipe Folk Art Grotesque Man Sculpture

Grotesque Man (co-worker or the boss?) End of Day Sewer Tile Figure, Likely Ohio. Sewer Tile Folk Art was made from left-over clay at pipe factories after the shift was over. Later, Molds were made to make “commercial” items to sell like small animals, doorstops, etc. The handmade original pieces such as this are the ones I am most interested in. Sewer Tile figure hand-formed late 19th - early 20th C. 7” tall. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #sewertile. #folkart. #folkartsculpture. #sewerpipe

Chalk Talks for Young People by J. W. VanDeventer. Low Art made High

Years ago I collected about a dozen “Chalk Talk” books. Chalk Talk is what that charlatan Glenn Beck used to do to confuse his unwitting tv followers…It’s a propaganda technique that was primarily applied by traveling religious preachers who seemingly couldn’t keep any other job. It involves drawing moral stories on a blackboard while using patter to distract…mostly from the Bible. Moral lessons illustrated with drawing meant to keep the chairs filled before the collection basket. I would call it a “low” art rather than high, but these illustrations from J. W. Van Deventer cross over into real art. The cream of the chalk crop! His “Chalk Talks for Young People” book, now well over 100 years old is as good as the technique gets…a shame I can’t find a film of the obfuscating master at work. VanDeventer, from Michigan, lived from 1855 to 1939 and graduated from Hillsdale College. The college helped advise on the hate document “Project 2025” which is causing so much discourse today. Shudder. Illustrations from Chalk Talks for Young People by J W Van Deventer c. 1900. No date in book, collection Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Unknown Folk Art Environment in Canada

A colorful Canadian folk art environment. The decoration looks like marshmallows! This is a photograph as opposed to a postcard, there is no location indicated. I’ll add a location if any of our Canadian friends can identify. Supposedly circa 1990. Canadian Yard Show c. 1990 original photograph collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Group of Crayon Exercises Anonymous antique School Child Art c. 1910 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Vibrant Group of Crayon Exercises Anonymous antique School Child Art c. 1910 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #juvenillia. #schoolchildart. #dulltooldimbulb

The Paper House still standing. Folk Art Newspaper Environment

When I looked up The Paper House I expected it to have burned up. Nope! Entirely made from rolled paper! The maker invented a special sauce which protected the place from wear, tear and fire. Still open for viewing in Pigeon Cove, MA. There is a short video of the place on YouTube. Three Paper House postcards, c. 1940? Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Disembodied Folk Art Head

A curious disembodied head. Painted on 5.8” thick ruff hewn wood and 7 inches tall. There is wear on the wood subsequent to it being painted (see around the back of the head) so it is old but I am not sure how old, Certainly earlier than 1950 given the patina on the unpainted wood surface on the reverse. Painted wooden head of unknown purpose collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb.

The World's Largest Crow. Folk Art Carvings Handmade Sign

Well, I know Spring is around the corner as the family of crows has started reproducing. Actually, this is a polaroid snapshot of Crow’s Nest Pass in Alberta, Canada.The name is a translations of the Cree name “kah-ka-ioo-wut-tshis-tun” and the Blackfoot name “ma-sto-eeas”, which together translates to “Nest of the Crow/Raven” and it appears to be a splendid place to visit. Once known for rum-running and the tragic “Frank Slide” which decimated a portion of the Rockies and caused 1240 deaths! Now it is known for skiing. I don’t know if the crow family is still there Original Polaroid snapshot of Crow’s Nest Alberta, Canada. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Tube the Blog

Women in Hats by Miss Daisy Outsider Art

WOMEN IN HATS Outsider Art by Miss Daily 1950 - 1970 The world’s a mess but Spring is imminent and that means woman in hats. Plus the Outsider Art Fair is close, I won’t be there. Instead here are six original drawings by Miss Daisy, a West Coast shut-in who produced hundreds of 9 x 12 drawings of women, one a day, from 1950 to 1970. She dated (and reported the weather) on the reverse of every one, but she remain anonymous. Ten different ones are posted on the Dull Tool Dim Bulb Facebook Page. Six Original Drawings by Miss Daisy. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Large Antique Homemade Folk Art Horse and Buggy Toy

A Large wood carved horse pulls a handmade cart made of hand cut sheet metal and wood. The largest pull toy ever! Folk Art toy wagon and horse toy, circa 1900. Found in Michigan. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb #folkarthorse. #Homemadetoy

Victor Joseph Gatto "Deer" ink drawing c. 1950

Victor Joseph Gatto “Deer” ink on paper c. 1950 Portions of the artist’s wikipedia entry follows: Gatto, who was entirely self-taught, began painting in 1938 at the age of 45 after hearing that artists in New York could make good money. He began with a simple setup, using an old plate as a palette and the back of a chair as an easel.[6] Elaine and Willem de Kooning, who were neighbors of Gatto, encouraged him to pursue painting.[3] By 1940, he had gained popularity among collectors of modern primitive art. His work is characterized by great attention to detail… In 1943, the Charles Barzansky Gallery hosted a one-man show in his honor, garnering widespread praise. Gatto became a favorite of art collectors, who referred to him as "New York's Rousseau." A number of magazine pieces were written on him, and his work twice graced the cover of Town and Country. Despite his critical success and popularity among collectors… “Deer” ink on paper c. 1950 - 1960 Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb