Q & A | www.canarsiecourier.com

Q: Can you provide me with any information on a black folk artist known as "The Bride Of Christ" as well as Joseph Yoakum who was another black folk artist? Also, where can I find examples of their work? Marjorie Clark, Northbrook, IL

A: The black folk artist to whom you refer is none other than Sister Gertrude Morgan, who was an itinerant street preacher, musician, and gospel singer in Montgomery and Mobile, Ala., as well as in New Orleans. She was born in Lafayette, Ala. in 1900 and died in 1980. She claimed to be the "bride of the Father and the Christ," and wore only white clothing and surrounded herself with a white decor. She also ran the Everlasting Gospel Mission from her New Orleans home, in which she delivered sermons while seated in a white chair behind a white table. Sister Getrude told folks that God talked to her and moved her hand to paint religious pictures to be used as gospel messages. Her paintings, which she combined with written text or "teachings," are especially prized by folk art collectors. Sister Gertrude Morgan’s paint-ings measuring more than 12 x 20-inches are rare, and would be particularly valuable.

Joseph Elmer Yoakum’s works were inspired by what he called "the force of a dream." The Lord gave me instructions" he said. "My drawings are a spiritual unfoldment." His drawings were not only a spiritual unfoldment, they were also the touchstone for a long, restless, and adventurous life.

Though he was Black, Yoakum’s life began on a Navajo reservation. He married twice, and lived in locations all over America including Missouri, Flo-rida, California and Indiana. Ultimately he settled in Chicago, and at the age of seventy-six, he began to draw at the urging of a compelling dream. Yoakum’s work is focused on a remarkable vision of the landscape with fantastic forms to encompass the range and sweep of his imagination. Working with ballpoint pen, and colored pencils, his pictures of great mountains expand and grow, opening up and out, punctured by pockets of trees, forests and rivulets, whereas his later pictures of great seas and oceans he must have traveled on, are wonderfully and magically alive, imbued in a radiant and luminous light

Another of Yoakum’s colorful works is a huge ranch type house amid lush gardens, grasses, flowers, trees, and pretty paths inscribed by Yoakum in black ink at the top titled The House of Great Joy. Palms Springs California by Joseph E. Yoakum. It is currently on on exhibition through November 8, 2003 and can be seen in all its colorful glory, at JOSEPH YOAKUM - The Magic and the Wonder of the World exhibit in conjunction with The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art on view at The Carl Hammer Gallery (presented in their second floor gallery space) at 740 North Wells Street, Chicago, IL 60610 to where you may write for information, or call 312-266-8512. Or to buy or sell folk or outsider art, e-mail: HAMMERGALL@AOL.COM Or visit: www.hammergallery.com I must say, visiting Ham-mer’s gallery is an unforgettable experience that’ll enrich your life inside, outside, and upside toward the heavens leaving you spellbound.

For more information regarding the wonderful spiritual and moving works by Sister Gertrude Mor-gan and Joseph Yoakum as well as countless works by other outsider artists, check out the fabulous book "Contemporary American Folk Art - A Collector’s Guide" by Chuck and Jan Rosenak available in a thick 320-page edition with color photos of the artworks, and black and white photos of the artists with their biographies, for $29.95 plus $4 postage from Abbeville Press, 488 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Or phone 1(800)-343-4499 toll free to order. You’ll love this book that’ll surely raise your spirits, and whose authors will tell you how to evaluate such art, and where it can be seen for sale.

Q: My boyfriend has an interest in antique canes. Where can he possibly find presidential-related examples? Sharon Phillips, Green Bay, WI

A: Send for a copy of the Oct. 4, 2003 SKINNER European Furniture & Decorative Arts Auction Catalog Sale 2223, featuring Fine Canes from the Collection of Ambassador Josiah H. Beeman which includes outstanding, and overwhelming American presidential and political examples that can be seen

Continued on page 27

mated values one can bid on, available for $32 postpaid from Skinner, 63 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. Phone 617-350-5400 to place absentee bids. Or visit www.skinnerinc.com to view the lots online and leave bids.

NOTE: Speaking of auctions, gorgeous full-color catalogs for Leslie Hindman’s Sept. 28, 2003 first antiques auction in her new gallery, officering 751 exceptional lots, are $15 postpaid and not $35 as previously stated. To order the catalog phone 312-280-1212 immediately or Fax 312-280-1211. Or visit www.lesliehindman.com

Q. Where can I find information regarding the value of antique maps found in the attic among my grandfather’s possessions? Lee Johnson, Decatur, IL

A. Write George Ritzlin Antique Maps & Prints, 473 Roger Williams Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035-4704. Enclose an accurate description of the maps and their condition, or e-mail: maps@ritzlin.com Or phone George (who buys, sells, and deals in antique maps prints and books) at 847-433-2627 to map it all out. Or visit his website: www.ritzlin.com

Q. Our friends recently move into a beautiful new house. Some years back you mentioned a sampler stitched with meaningful words that you said hangs in your kitchen, and that would make a perfect house warming gift. Could you please repeat that information? Marina Saunders, Virginia Beach, VA

A. The sampler stitched with the words in red and turquoise on an off white linen cloth mounted in a pine frame, dates from the thirties, and says:

COME DEAR FRIEND

COME HERE AND REST

YOU’LL ALWAYS BE

A WELCOME GUEST

Other meaningful words dating from the early 19th century titled

"HAPPINESS FROM HOME LIFE" says "TO OBTAIN ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME ENJOYMENT SOMETHING MORE IS NECESSARY THAN A HANDSOME DWELLING, GORGEOUS LAWNS, SHADE TREES, AND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS.

FAMILY QUARRELS, AN ABSENCE OF POLITENESS, POOR BREEDING AND ETIQUETTE, WOULD TURN THE LOVELIEST HOME INTO A HOUSE OF MISERY. IF WE WERE TO FURNISH OUR HOME WITH ALL THE ELEGANCIES WHICH THE UPHOLSTER’S ART AFFORDS - TO CULTIVATE THE GARDENS WITH THE UTMOST SKILL - AND ALLOW OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO REMAIN UNCULTIVATED, ROUGH, UNCOUTH AND UNCIVIL, IT WOULD AVAIL US NAUGHT.

Any portion, or all of this advice from long ago, can be applied to our lifestyles today, and one can pick or chose whatever lessons they particularly like to be embroidered on cloth as a sampler, or printed on cards, to be given as gifts.

Write Anita Gold, P.O. Box 597401, Chicago, IL 60659. Enclose a self- addressed stamped envelope with a copy of this column and the name of the paper in which it appears for a reply.