Olivia Thomason's Folk Art Flower Pots (Christmas Gifts!)

Olivia Thomason, hailed as "Georgia's Folk Art Queen", enjoys a distinguished forty-year career creating self-taught, visionary art that captures the essence of Southern life and childhood memories. Her latest original creations, hand-painted flower pots, are being praised as perfect Christmas gifts for their unique charm and whimsical designs featuring nature motifs.

A Distinguished Career in Folk Art

A native of Hendersonville, North Carolina, Thomason's self-taught style is rooted in her childhood memories in the Blue Ridge Mountains and her experiences in urban Atlanta. Her work is characterized by bold colors and intricate storytelling, prompting the late Dr. Joe Perrin, former Dean of Georgia State University's College of Art, to compare her to legendary memory painters like Grandma Moses.

Her influence on the Atlanta art scene is significant. For over a decade, she owned and managed her renowned gallery, The Primitive Eye in Decatur, which won "Gallery of the Year" awards multiple times from Creative Loafing and other publications. Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious galleries across the country and is held in private, corporate, and professional collections nationwide, including the Atlanta History Center. One notable painting by Ms. Thomason the historic home of Poet Laureate Carl Sandburg in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

In Stone Mountain Village, where she maintains her home studio, her art is a visible part of the community, including a mural overlooking Main Street at the village pavilion.

The Charm of Her Painted Flower Pots

Ms. Thomason's latest endeavor transforms ordinary terracotta pots into extraordinary works of art. These one-of-a-kind, protectively glazed pieces are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and serve as more than just containers for plants; they are expressions of creativity and cultural heritage.

Each pot is a "riot of colors" and features a variety of charming, hand-painted motifs, including:

• Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds: Capturing the beauty and whimsy of the natural world.
• Angels, puppies, and kittens: Evoking feelings of warmth, family, and pets.
• Starry nights and cheerful sunbursts: Adding a magical touch to the designs.

Esteemed Atlanta historian Dr. Richard Funderburke, who regularly refers to Thomason as "The Queen of Georgia Folk Artists," praises these creations as "amazing and so original," making them particularly appealing as unique Christmas gifts for gardeners and home decorators.

Beyond the Canvas

In addition to her painting, Thomason is a published author and illustrator of children's books, including The Great American Pie Contest (Austin Macauley, New York, 2022), which was selected by Scholastic US for availability in schools across the country. She has also shared her passion for art by teaching children and seniors in her community, further cementing her legacy as a beloved and visionary artist.