ol' Roff's blog

Good Sunday Morning Kathy

I woke up early this morning thinking about this. I so very much appreciate the conversation I had over the phone with you.

I have been buying and trying to sell folk art since the early 1980s. My gallery is located in a town where a Thomas Kincaid print is considered a masterpiece and a Clementine Hunter piece is a joke.

I started doing Folk Fest in Atlanta in 1996. I became a regular in the show (their Western gallery) for 6 or 7 years. It wore me and my pickup out. I traveled the deep south buying. Much of the time I had my young grandson, Brandon with me.

We got to know Jimmy Sudduth well–also Bernice Sims, Buddy Snipes, Rev Finster, and others. (I have stayed at the Slotins’s home)I think they loved my grandson so darn much. I could tell so many stories.

The one thing I never quite overcame is the friendly old country boy gallery versus the sophisticated big city
gallery. In fact, one of my major customers was in New York or Chicago at a gallery and he mentioned me. The gallery owner kind of sneered and replied something to the affect that I was way beneath her. I believe my customer’s daughter had a kind word with her in that regard.

I now have the greatest customers in the United States (I do not sell abroad). I have renowned authors, doctors and attorneys, preachers, teachers, and many others. I truly care for each. I will place my “Country Postage Stamp”
gallery along side of any big city gallery and let my customer choose!

Now regarding the two long narrow paintings you are looking at, there is no question about them being Sudduths.
The question is”will they better your collection”. If you already have good Sudduths, then I would probably forget about filling a long narrow space and concentrate on a great Sudduth for my collection. It is your choice.

I so much appreciate your phone call. I don’t think I have ever written this long of a letter to a potential customer before.

olRoff

I have repeatedly stated that I would not add another artist but after several hours studying the Espressionist work of
Vanda Hawkins (VanHawkArts)I decided to jump right in with another. I think her Gypsy paintings hooked me. I could write a book about my Gypsy dealings as a State of California Investigator.

Anyway, take a look. I have a feeling that Vanda will be with us a long time.

It was this time of the year about 15 years ago when I decided what was to become one of the best periods of my life. I had just sold a small ranch and had a little money.

I had (and still have) a grandson whom I adored. He was 12 years old and I was 61. With his parents blessing and with my wife, Arleney’s blessing, Brandon and I started traveling.

We left Sacramento at midnight, flying to Atlanta. He had never tasted coffee. What a kick! He couldn’t understand it why people like it.

And he asked me if the stewardess
usually give back rubs. It so happened that he and I were in the back of the airplane and the stewardess gave me a back rub. He thought that was quite unusual and jokingly told me he was
going to tell grandma Arlene

After landing in Atlanta we rented a car and headed for the first flea market.I can’t remember the name of it. There I purchased two small face jugs by Marie Rogers. I probably paid too much as I had no idea of the actual value.

We attended another larger flea market then headed north to potters’ country. The first potter visited was Bobby Ferguson. Bobby, Mary, and I became friends instantly. At Ferguson pottery, Brandon was was introduced to pottery making by the great potter, Roger Corn (Roger was employed by Bobby Ferguson).

From there we went “over the hill” to the home of  Michael Crocker. What fun. Michael insisted of taking us to eat. We enjoyed his companionship as well as wonderful Southern cooking! Michael gave us a Fire Fox book and told us about Chester Hewell.

Now Chester was something else. He roars like a lion and is as gently as a lamb. His gruffness scares the heck out of you until  you get through that layer and meet this truly great potter. What a great family! Chester also gave us a book about Southern Potters, “Brothers In Clay”.

Then we went to Wilson’s pottery and met young Brian Wilson! —A sweet young man! He was such a young gentleman!

Brandon and I were 100 percent sold on the great potters, the marvelous Southern hospitality and the irrestible, fattening Southern cooking. We were hooked beyond belief!

—continued again soon.

Welcome! Joe Lenzo, the 13 year old son of Peter Lenzo will soon have a face jug for sale in our galllery. Joe has been making face jugs since he was five. Peter is tremendously proud of him. Now folks, here is an investment chance!