Wanda Teel is a self-taught artist who was born in
Montgomery Alabama and grew up in the South. She is a member
of a female folk art family whose work is known nationally
and includes her sisters and mother. Wanda's parents were
both from poor rural farm families who were bewildered at
Wanda's obsession for drawing on things. Her father scolded
her to "stop that foolishness" and instead put her mind on
real things that would help her earn a living. It was only
after she married and was living in Virginia that she began
experimenting again with her art. She secretly worked on a
painting that she entered in an art show and it won first
place. In the early 1980's in a chance meeting with an art
dealer she ended up showing her work. Her paintings quickly
sold out. Shortly thereafter Wanda moved North and she put
her paints away. In 1999 after experiencing a number of
personal hardships, Wanda began painting again. She said it
was like she had bottled up her spirit for so long that it
had to come out no matter what or she would burst. Wanda's
work is dynamic, colorful and imaginative. It encompasses an
eclectic range of subject matter drawn from her memories,
experiences, spiritual beliefs and "imaginings". Once she
has an idea about something, she carries it around in her
mind until she can express it is some form. The idea
"empties out" in her artwork and makes room for other
thoughts. The Fayette Art Museum held a one-person show of
her work and it was one of their most successful. Her work
is in their permanent collection as well as the Mennello
Museum of American Folk Art.
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Mermaid 32 x 12 framed acrylic and mixed media on panel $350 |
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Bathing Beauties 32 x 12 framed acrylic and mixed media on panel $350 |
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SOLD |
Eye on the Sparrow 20 x 16 framed acrylic on canvas board $250 |
