Part IV of the Voma Visionary Tour is a very special post. The destination pictured below, Howard Finster’s Paradise Garden, was the catalyst for the entire trip. A few short years ago, after I discovered the Reverend Howard Finster’s artwork, I became really interested in visionary artists and folk art environments. Upon researching Paradise Garden, I came across a very important and helpful website, www.narrowlarry.com, run by Larry Harris. Just like how I cannot express the feeling I get when I look at Howard Finster’s work or hear his voice, I also cannot express how invaluable of a resource Narrow Larry is to the public- it makes the obscure, out of the way, secluded, backroad, middle of nowheresville, art and artists obtainable. Larry is as committed to documenting environments and artists as the artists themselves are/were to their own work – and without even the slightest hint of pretension or reticence – with maps and directions to the sites that are clear as the day is long.
Thank you Howard Finster and Larry Harris for opening my eyes.
The entrance to the late Reverend Howard Finster’s home in Summerville, Georgia.
The World’s Folk Art Church
Howard’s woodshop
Howard’s Cadillac given to him by a Professor from Wake Forest University
According the groundskeeper, Howard built this entire chapel without a measuring tape – instead he used two “sticks” of the same length.
Fan art
Bike Tower
Whenever I’m on the road, I do everything in my power to not succumb to the convenience of fast food chains, and instead seek out local restuarants – you know the ones that just say “Family Restuarant” or “Rick’s,” or what have you. That’s where you find the real chiggin.’
Nightfall heading up Lookout Mountain in Georgia.
Thanks for looking.
–William Gaynor
