This is....

...the very first post of this blog!

Woohooo!

Well, maybe I better tell you a bit of background.
Ah-hem.  Here goes.

I learned to do what we called 'folk art' at the time, about 23 years ago. It has since developed other names, such as 'decorative painting', but I still prefer to call it 'folk art'.
Why?


Well, primarily because along with the name change, came a style change. When I first started to paint, folk art was simple.
It was sort of traditional.  It was symbolic. It was 'homely'.  It was joyful.  It was achievable, and fun.

As we all progressed, naturally, the styles evolved, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It became more advanced in technique (not that I think that 'folk art' in itself can't be advanced in technique).  The technique and the subject matter changed.  What used to be based in a stylised symbolism, started to take on a more realistic edge.

Many folk artists of the time  started to seek the status of 'fine artist'.  And, indeed, our magazine in Australia, previously called the 'Folk and Decorative Artist', grew more in that direction and eventually dropped the name 'folk art' from the title altogether.

But my first love is, and I would say, always will be, the simple and stylised forms of 'folk art'.

Hence, the name of this blog - the vintage folk painter.
I have use the word vintage to imply a return to this older style of painting.  And I have used the term 'folk painter' rather than 'folk artist', to separate it from folk art of other mediums.

The use of the term vintage, is also my attempt to whet peoples appetites to take up this art form as a way of providing beautiful vintage items to decorate their homes in a vintage style.

Whilst folk painting is in its element when used to paint onto objects, I must confess to painting on canvas most of the time.  This is a wonderful way to provide vintage, stylised art work for you home.

And if you are a bit of car boot sale/ garage sale/second-hand shop junkie, then you will be able to find all sorts of items to decorate till your heart is content, with a low budget.

Anyway, my main aim here, is to share with you my joy of folk painting.

Till next time
Fiona