American Folk Art Index Cards

This week I had trouble doing one 

index card each day...

so I did several in one day.

Not the idea of the challenge, I know,

but made me feel like I was

still staying on track.

All of these index cards were inspired

by folk art.

I bought a book at our local library sale

called "American Folk Decoration" by Jean Lipman.

The first copyright date was 1951!. My book is

a reprint from 1972.  Most of the images

in the book were black and white, however,

with one color plate in the front giving

recommendations for authentic colors to be 

used in the designs.

I've given them my own 'twist.'  One thing I 

really like about folk art is that the artists tended to

load up several leaf and flower designs on one stem.

And flowing curlicues abound on some of the designs.

Many folk art designs are symmetrical, which 

means that the design would have a central motif

with the designs on either side of it being a 

mirror of each other. But I personally prefer

asymmetrical designs.

'Lady Washington.'  This is inspired

by a historic sampler which showed both

Lady and General Washington.  I

"prettied her up" a bit, as the original

looked a bit like a man wearing a dress!

The head-dress and sleeves are

quite high style for the times 

I suppose...

Another folk art flower...

the top and bottom flowers are

designs that have developed over

years of making these.

I often try to incorporate as many

shapes and curlicues as possible

into one flower!

Hope your day blooms with art!

Visit the 'DaisyYellow' blog to see

more index card art.