It's Elementary

Skittles at R Gallery

Searching Ebay in the Netherlands, we came across a Renate Muller skittle. If your not familiar with Muller (we can't find the umlaut on the computer), she used open weave jute and leather to make therapeutic toys for physically challenged children in the 60's. The use of form and material are elegant and sparse....which brought Georgia Hayes and Donald Baechler's work to mind. There is something innately attractive about the use of paired-down representation, and what we love about folk is what is brilliantly capitalized upon in the work of these artists. See for yourself:

Muller skittle on Ebay

Donald Baechler, Realists Playing Together via Bombsite

Georgia Hayes, Birthday with Midwives

Muller Goose at Quittenbaum Kunstauktionen via Liveauctioneers

Donald Baechler, Abstract Painting with Bird (Ostrich)

Muller Seal via Handmade Charlotte

Georgia Hayes, Birthday with Midwives

Muller Rhino

Muller Hippo and Rhino via Styleforum

Georgia Hayes, Hettina the Healer from Hayes' Flickr photostream