FOLK ART

Holidays are a perfect time to look at Folk Art from around the world. This week we looked at images of birds, flower motifs, and wildlife that primarily make up the designs. Many of our holiday designs and imagery can be traced to the Folk Art of rural areas of the world. Folk Art is an umbrella term that is wide and varied and can apply to ancient handcrafted objects as well as contemporary arts and crafts. All art and design are rooted in these traditions and the same images can be found in almost every culture. These styles are often reflected in the illustrations of folk tales, and children's books and carry down from one generation to another.
 
 
 Folk artists traditionally learn skills and techniques through apprenticeships in informal community settings. This art reflects nature and is a simple stylized design that is usually very colorful. Historically these designs and patterns have been used to decorate interiors,textiles and utilitarian objects. Traditionally the artists were usually anonymous and often work in groups. The styles and imagery of Folk Art are popular again and present in many surface designs and crafts. Last year our class studied the work of two very famous folk artists, Frida Kahlo and Anna Mary Robertson, (known as Grandma Moses