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“His social observations are
animated, poignant, and express a
joy of movement even in the

silhouette forms he created.”

wasn’t realized until long after he passed away.
Although he died in 1947, there is no evidence
that Traylor painted after he left Montgomery
in 1942.
Little is known of his travels north during
the four years in which he visited some of his
children and is said to have encountered some
personal difficulties. When he returned to Man and Cat on Organic Form
Alabama in 1946, he became ill and lost a leg to
gangrene. He never regained the urge to create About the Author
his art. He died in a nursing home in
Two Blue Chickens Montgomery in 1947, at the age of 93. Susan Baerwald and Marcy Carsey founded the
We will never know what Traylor’s Just Folk gallery in 2007 after successful careers in
motivations for his almost fanatical dedication producing television programs. JustFolk.com is an
Traylor sold some of his drawings to to drawing were, but there is some indication online gallery featuring unique artworks whose
Shannon, who tried to get others interested in that he thought people bought his paintings for designs are esthetically appealing, ordinary things
Traylor’s art. Some pieces were purchased by specific reasons. Shannon remembers a that are invested with extraordinary individuality.
passers-by, or some of the people he came into comment Traylor made about how “sometimes They are both lifelong collectors of American Folk
contact with while on the street. Traylor depicted they buys them when they don’t even need Art and Antiques.Visit www.justfolk.com
both whites and blacks, and he told Shannon them.” There has been speculation that this
4
how he distinguished between them. Placing indicates a power or purpose to the paintings, References:
his straight-edged stick along the profiles of his perhaps to conquer evils, or to dominate bad 1. Maresca, Frank and Ricco, Roger, Bill Traylor:
drawn characters, Traylor said “Now you see spirits, but much of this is unknown. Certainly, His Art, His Life, Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1991

there, when the stick touches the nose and many of Traylor’s themes are socially charged 2. Ibid

the chin, but it doesn’t touch the lips, it’s a and resonate with observers; whether or not 3. Montgomery (AL). New South Art Center.
white man.” these stories were depicted in order to right BILL TRAYLOR — People’s Artist. 1940.
2

wrongs, justify behaviors, or mark a rebellious 4. Maresca, Frank and Ricco, Roger, Bill Traylor,
nature is all speculative. If, as suggested in a His Art-His Life Alfred A. Knopf, New York 1991
new book about Traylor, his hidden images 5. Sobel, Mechel, Painting a Hidden Life: The Art of
“conjure messages that were highly critical of Bill Traylor, Louisiana State University Press 2009
5
the racist regime,” this seems to be at odds with
Shannon’s firsthand perception of Traylor as a Bill Traylor at Auction
man with a joyous sense of life. Certainly, how-
ever, the power of his images, constructions,
and stories reflect a singular understanding of
the social order of the world as Traylor knew it,
complete with emotion, wit, and insight.

Yellow Goat

Mule

Traylor seemed indifferent to the small
exposition Shannon mounted of the artist’s
works at the New South Gallery in
Montgomery in 1940. In the program notes, A folk-art painting by Bill Traylor, titled
Shannon wrote, “Bill Traylor’s works are Two Dogs Fighting: Man Chasing Dog (1939-
completely uninfluenced by our Western 1942) sold for $293,750 at an Outsider and
culture. Strictly in the folk idiom – they are as Vernacular Art Sale held January 21, 2021
unselfconscious and spontaneous as Negro during Americana Week by Christie’s in New
spirituals. He has recorded the life he has York City.
known with a boundless imagination that is
steeped in a real joy of living.” Today, Traylor is recognized as one of the A graphite, tempera,
3
Aside from the Montgomery show, most prolific, expressive artists of the twentieth and Conte crayon on
Traylor’s work was not recognized during his century. He is called a self-taught, visionary, found cardboard by Bill
lifetime, despite Shannon’s efforts. It was not outsider, primitive artist … among other Traylor, titled Four
until the landmark exhibit Black Folk Art in things. But above all, he is viewed as an artist. Figures and a Basket in
America in 1982 at the Corcoran Gallery in The lines are blurring between folk art and Blue (circa 1940-1942),
Washington, D.C. that his images came to the contemporary art, and soon there will be no sold for $105,000 at a
attention of the art world. Suddenly, Bill distinctions to separate the art of Bill Traylor Self-Taught Masterpieces
Traylor became a known factor. His amazing from any other contemporary masterpieces of Sale held November 14,
output in just three years, from age 83 to 85, the last century. 2020 by Slotin Folk Art Auction in Buford, GA.

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