Self-taught Artist found on Lake Claiborne

As I glanced around the small wooden cottage, built almost 50 years ago on the edge of beautiful Lake Claiborne, there was not a single square inch that did not contain some sort of artistic endeavor created by its owner, Mrs. Glenda Tooke.  Glenda, a native of Claiborne Parish, decided that she was going to make her retirement years count by creating art.   Her art, which ranges from gourds to cypress knees, to emu eggs, and many things in between, reveals the love she feels for her family and her community.  Within each tiny treasure, is hidden a little bit of the history of Claiborne Parish and the connections this parish has with the families that grew up there.  Listening to Mrs. Tooke recite the stories behind each piece, had the effect of creating a personal timeline that enabled me to capture a glimpse of times gone by. 

Cotton patch gourd

Glenda’s art reflects snapshots of the quiet, everyday moments so reflective of the lifestyle found in this small rural community.  Her natural talent reflects the culture and environment of northwest Louisiana with a simplicity that exposes how even the most mundane activity can have monumental value in the eyes of others. 

Glenda not only creates art for herself, but shares her talent with others by forming the only organized gourd patch group in Louisiana, called the Lake Claiborne Gourd Patch, which is a member of the American Gourd Society.  This group, which uses its time to share ideas and explore the technique and art of gourding with each other, also succeeds in forming a bond of friendship that only the arts can provide.

Besides being talented in visual arts, Glenda is also artistically inclined in music.  In 1993, Tooke asked her husband, David, for a mandolin for Christmas.  She spent the next year in the back bedroom with her mandolin, instruction book, and a tape, learning to play.  This so-called “retirement project” has opened up a world of music that has become part of her life.  She plays with a group of local musicians, whose calendar stays booked well in advance.

It seems a shame that Glenda’s art is not available for the public to see, but she mainly creates art for her own enjoyment, as well as serving as a connection with her family and community.  Her involvement in the arts has led to a retirement lifestyle that is even busier, yet seems more fulfilling, than her earlier way of life.   When asked what her next arts activity will be, she gave a little wink and told me, “whatever comes along… you just never know what’s around the corner.”  I do know that this creative lady has not yet accomplished everything of which she is capable, and cannot wait to see what is next on her list. 

Hidden Art Found in High School Wood Shop

I never realized that a building could be a work of art until I discovered this very fact in my very own backyard.  After having 13 trees cut down to make room for a swimming pool, I realized that I would need a building to house the equipment and supplies that would go along with operating a pool.  I knew the high school shop teacher worked with wood and taught his students how to build small storage sheds, so I approached him concerning this task.  I was caught off-guard to find out that he owned his own sawmill, and could not only build the structure, but could use the very trees from my own yard to produce the lumber for the job.  The resulting structure was indeed a work of art that employed a construction method known as timber framing, which is outside the box of today’s “quick gratification” building styles by forgoing nails and instead utilizing mortise and tenon joints, and wood towel pins. 

Mr. Mahn, who attended college during the Viet Nam era, revealed that his building philosophy leaned towards the “back to earth movement” that was famous during the unrest of the 60’s.  Never interested in the accumulation of wealth, James and his wife believed in being self sufficient and working hard for life’s necessities.  Even though James was a graduate of the University of Michigan, he preferred physical work and used books to teach himself the timber frame method of construction.  He confessed that the reason he became interested in timber frame construction was because, “it could be built right from a tree, using a minimum of tools: a hammer, chisel, and a saw.”  He also like the fact that is was the cheapest method of building, because it had the fewest steps of manufacturing. I guess you could say Mr. Mahn was “green” before it was cool. 

Listening to James speak of his craft, one understands that building is more than just a hobby for him: 

            I enjoy the end product, all made from wood, as well as the skill and craft that go into the construction process. This is much more appealing to me than a sterile drywall finish.  Wood is warm and comforting.  The massive beams give a sense of security.  The uniqueness of doing what most people, even a good carpenter, can’t accomplish, gives me a sense of satisfaction.  Also, the thought that the timber frame house will be there for centuries makes me smile.

James is quick to label himself a pragmatist, and admits that he cannot see the flaws in his work.  What he does see is “beauty in the symmetry and function of the end product, coupled with the warmth and beauty of the wood as it changes with time.”   He finds joy in feeling that he is preserving this nearly lost art form, and his strong faith has given him the belief that there may come a time in the future when these skills will again be needed.   The beauty found in his work is evident as I admire the art that has come from his calloused hands.  Each project is a functional piece of art that contains its own unique beauty of exposed materials as well as a tiny piece of the artist as well. 

Student Art

I hope the students in Mr. Mahn’s shop class understand the opportunity he provides to teach them a skill of this magnitude, as fewer high schools offer wood shop classes, which were once a staple of American education.  Besides learning a trade, the students develop the ability to calculate measurements, create designs, work as a team, and appreciate the beauty found in the symmetry and function of the end product.  Just as James believes his craft is “shaped by the ideas of those involved, and enhanced by the natural combination of the various wood used;” his students are likewise shaped by his ideas and enhanced by the combination of a teacher’s passion for his craft, and the care he shows for his students.  What a winning combination!

Vet Discovers the Art of Metal Fabrication

           I have found out that you do not always have to go out looking for art that may be hidden within your community… sometimes it will find you.  This is precisely what happened to me one day at the beauty shop.  As I sat in the salon chair, trying not to get dye in my eyes, my good friend’s husband, who had just recently retired as a full time veterinarian, gave her a call and announced that he had a new business – creating pet tombstones.  Seriously?  I couldn’t believe that this man that once spent his life saving the lives of animals, was now assisting in burying them.  I would have to see this for myself!

            From the moment I walked into George’s shop, located in the piney woods of northwest Louisiana, just steps from his backdoor, I could tell he was a man who loved his work.  Like a kid in a candy store, he demonstrated in detail how he could transform a plain piece of metal into objects that appeal to the eye and capture the creative side of metal fabrication.  I watched, amazed, as he programmed an image into his plasma-CAM, using skills that would make any mathematician proud.    The resulting artwork that his machine produced made it clear that this amazing piece of technology has opened up possibilities in metal fabrications that were never before possible.  George intends to expand the range of his metal work by combining plasma technology with Photoshop to create a unique style of portraiture in metal.  

            George adds his own personal flair to his welding pieces creating anything from tombstones, to signs, to portraits in an effort to make his mark on this community.  Like others who have experienced how art provides the ability to transcend the barriers of traditional language and communicate on a whole new level, George has developed a desire to create new things.   His pieces can be found dotted throughout Claiborne Parish where they illustrate identities, define realities, and record bits of history within this small rural community.

Hidden Gem in Claiborne

      

As I look around my community, I realize that there is a hidden gem that has been here for years, yet many who live here are unaware of the activity that occurs behind the antique wooden doors adorning the front of this historical treasure.  I am speaking of the Ford Museum.  As I take a peek behind these doors, I realize that this important asset to Claiborne Parish is continually working to bring the arts as well as awareness of the arts into our little community.  This tiny jewel is only open 3 days a week, but the project director, Linda Volentine, seems to work non-stop providing tours of the museum, hosting programs that promote the culture and history of this area, applying for grants, as well as encouraging artists from around the area and the state to contribute their time and energy to workshops as a means of enriching the public in the arts. 

Linda Volentine

         Linda, a native of Claiborne Parish, has worked tirelessly in her effort to increase exposure to the arts in the community as a means to form bonds between the citizens of this diverse community.  This can be seen in the diversity of the artists that have been showcased within this small museum, as well as the artists that have been selected to participate in workshops that have been offered to the public. 

         Linda makes sure that she includes the parish art teachers and students in her programs by writing them into grants, which allows both teachers and students the opportunity to participate in many unique art experiences on a first hand basis.  The teachers are invited to the workshop to learn the native skill, and take this skill back to the classroom along with enough supplies for the students.  After the completion of each project, the museum displays the art for the community.  Some of the skills that have been shared by various artists are:  folk art paintings, gourd art, pine straw baskets, reed baskets, cane carving, and mosaics.    Many of these artists are community members, which allows the students to not only learn a new skill but also develop a more keen understanding of the history of their community.

Artwork I made at several Ford Museum workshops.

         It was clear to see, through the enthusiastic way Linda discussed her job and her connection with Claiborne Parish, that she loves both.  She believes that her greatest achievement is her connection with the citizens, especially the children, of the parish, and credits this to her job, which she believes, “takes me into places I should not normally go, opens doors that I would not even think to open, and allows me to work with school children at all levels.”  

The Creative Class

     I just recently was introduced to the writings of Richard Florida.  It seems this guy has been around for a while, and is famous for initiating us to what is now termed “the creative class.” Florida defines the creative class as anyone who produces new ideas, new technology, and/or new creative content.  By creating such a broad definition, he has succeeded including people across the work spectrum, instead of those found only within the small world of fine arts.  The main difference between those within the creative class and others, seems to be that the creative class gets paid to generate a plan, while the others are paid to carry out the plan. I wonder if there are certain factors that lead certain people to these creative activities in their life? 

      I have to admit I love Florida’s idea of tapping into the creative forces that are found within a community, forming connections with these creative people, and integrating their ideas and resources into the community. This formula seems just the right medicine for rural communities that are hurting due to the recent economic decline... like Claiborne Parish!

Eger, J. (2003). The creative economy: Forging the links between art, culture, commerce, & community. The California institute for smart communities. Retrieved from http://www.smartcommunities.org/creative/CreativeCommBroFINAL.pdf