Primitives the "Special" Art

I am asked all to often how I began liking Primtives, and to be honest I don't know! I can say that I have always enjoyed art, and more so folk art. I have always longed for those "special" creations by very "special" artists.

Primitive artist may not be well known to the world, but most of the work they do is phenomenal. As a primitive crafter/artist myself I know first hand that in the beginning it was hard stuff to create. It doesn't look like it, but it is definitely more challenging than one may think. Take for example my first grungy doll.....When I was through I was terrified! Really I was. It was only the beginning though.

It is hard, I guess as a woman especially to create something "worn, torn, distressed, and often times just plain ugly" when all you think when you picture a doll is "perfection, beauty, frills, and flawlessness." Primitives are quite the opposite of what we imagine naturally. They are made to be worn, torn, distressed, fragile, ugly---not in a grotesque way but in a very well loved way(o;

Since I began collecting and creating primtives, I see more beauty in these creations than I ever did in your "typical" doll. Primitives not only represent a time of purity, when our country was free of much crime, violence and hatred. It was a time when a family was truly a unit, a hard working unit. Each member of the family worked hard to keep shelter, and food. Years ago, less was better. Nothing went to waste, absolutely nothing. Mamma made a dress for her daughter, and with the scraps she later made a doll, pillow case, or tied scraps together for blankets. Wood chips were used in pillows and as kindling for the fire.

While the work may had been more strenuous at the end of the day it was all done for the family, and the necessities of life. No gold watches, fancy cars, or clothes....it was all pure love.

I guess, the love of primtives is different for everyone. But I can honestly say that my love stems from the longing for the love and unity that once was. I am not fancy, I prefer the country over the city. I despise driving on crowded highways, the sound of police sirens, and the local and world news spreading hatred and stories of tears shed. I want a simple life, one filled and enriched with pure love, a family unit that is strong with moral and with little influence of bad, and fewer conveniences. Convenience makes people lazy, less tolerant, and spiteful of real labor. I am spiteful because pure love and unity are nearly a thing of the past. Mothers are forced to abandon their children to strangers, fathers are disappearing at an alarming rate, and crime is at all time highs. But clutching a primitive doll, or an antique restores hope and faith, and above all they warm the heart like nothing else can.