Dos Folkies Gallery: Outsider - Self-taught - Art Brut

About the Artist

Myrtice West

Myrtice passed away in Centre Georgia on April 12th 2010.

Myrtice West reached out and touched God with her art. She recreated Biblical stories from both the Old and New Testaments. She also created angels and American icons like the Statue of Liberty and the White House. When she was reflective she painted scenes of the rural life she remembered from her childhood. The range and depth of her art put her in league with folk art masters like Howard Finster, Mose Tolliver, and Nellie Mae Rowe. Myrtice’s faith and tenacity carried her through even after her only daughter’s tragic death. An art instructor once told her that her paintings were not very good, and discouraged her from continuing. The wonderful thing about self-taught art or anything for that matter is, if you persist the critics are eventually silenced. Myrtice persisted, and is now one of the most highly respected and collected visionary artists in America. There’s an important book titled, ‘Wonders to Behold’ by Carol Crown that explores the breadth of Myrtice West’s art.

Myrtice West