By way of Facebook, our attention was drawn to this amazing “folk art” painting by Lynchburg artist Fay Harris. Fay graciously offered to donate the original piece to the Cemetery, and it is now on permanent display in the Mourning Museum. OCC is also selling notecards with this image.
Harris’s ability to capture the many facets of Old City Cemetery in such a creative and beautiful way is nothing short of incredible. Thank you Fay!
P.S. Can you find Arthur the Cemetery Cat?
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In her own words Fay describes how she became a painter:
As a young woman I was totally in awe of my Aunt Lora. She was so vivacious, talented, and involved in the lives of her family members and friends.
Aunt Lora was an accomplished artist. I would just marvel at her artwork. She would tell me, “Now Lora Fay, you can do this.”
At the time I was very busy raising my children and had little time to take art lessons, but I kept my Aunt’s words tucked away in my mind and heart. In 1987 my youngest daughter Teri started Elementary School. I found I had some time to myself. I signed up at the Lynchburg Miller Park Center for art lessons. The art instructor was a gentlemen named Buck Tyree. I took several sets of classes from Buck and also some classes under art instructor Betty Leary.
I enjoy painting what I like to call “American” stories of people and times in Central Virginia as told in Folk Art. As a matter of fact, that is the title of a book I composed and self-published with the help of my daughter Teri and daughter-in-law Samantha. I use acrylics for this style of painting.
Birds and flowers are also a favorite to paint. I use water base oils for this artwork.
