Not sure where I first saw Bebo Folk Art. All I know it is that it reached a critical mass in my brain because there were these primary-colored happy "critters" adorning the walls of Nashville's popular Calypso Cafe, Shimai Pottery & Gifts at the Loveless Cafe Motel Shops and Rumour's Gallery formerly co-owned by Nashville beloved creative ex-patriot Whitney Ferre. Eventually, I learned we had mutual friends. The coolest of friends. And, when I began seeing him entertainingly hawking his wares at our dear Franklin Farmers Market, I knew I had to have some for my new covered porch:

Pardon the mess, I'm still unpacking.  (Vintage glider found and rehabbed by Ginny Speaks of All is Well.) But Bebo can't wait for me to get my porch in order. I must tell you now to go see this fun guy's show at the gorgeous Ensworth High School. If only Metro Nashville Public Schools could be blessed with an drop of that wealth. Of all those years of driving by and gawking at the copper roofs, it was my first time I'd been on that stunning campus. The drama and art teachers there were gracious and explained to my art-adoring-curious self that Dr. Benjamin Caldwell and family's art collection had been donated to the school, including several–gasp: William Edmondson sculptures that Caldwell had requested be displayed out on the school grounds. Wow. The school's Theater Gallery is home to  Bebo Folk Art through September 23. Fun guy, Bebo is also showing right now at Montgomery Bell Academy's Fall Art Show through September 30. If you miss these shows, you can also find him with a smile and ready with a wacky comment most Saturday's at Franklin's stellar Farmer's Market. (Apologies for late posting this this week and this month as there was lots of competing events!)

Here's what Bebo has to say about his work, below. This dude's special, as illustrated in his artist statement. I am blessed and inspired by his words:

"I am an outsider artist. I make my art out of sawmill lumber and other found materials. I sculpt the wood with my saw and sander into shapes of fish, snakes, gators and other critters, flowers, butterflies, etc. I make all sizes from a few inches to 15 feet long. I paint them using enamel paint so that the pieces can be hung outside if you want to. I also make angels and signs with inspirational messages on them. I paint them to remind me how to live. I am a musician [this is Nashville, you know] and I love the blues, so I make “Bluesmen”, too. God has blessed me through my art.

"It makes me smile and laugh making all my artwork. When people buy a piece of my art, the main thing they say to me is,  'It makes me happy, it makes me smile.' I try to give people a sense of hope. If I can do it you can too. I wake up in the morning and ask God to help me that day, and at night I thank him for helping me. He hasn’t let me down. I hope that I can inspire others to enjoy life and live in peace.

"I first started making art in 1993. Since that time I have met so many people and made so many friends. My art has blessed me and my hope is that my art can be a blessing to others."

It has…Bebo: It has. 

What art has blessed you? And, have you seen Bebo Folk Art?