Howard Finster

When one begins to look at Howard Finster it is evident that his work is best viewed up close and personal, it is hard to convey the messages of hope and doom contained in the work of Finster thru digital means alone.

Finster was a Baptist minister in the true hell fire and brimstone genre, his messages in paint convey the ideas that the transformation of the holy spirit wrote upon his heart.

Howard was also known for his creation of the "Paradise Gardens," a multi-acre park full of his paintings and sculpture, and his folk art church pictured at top left. A true man of God, and visual artist, Howard Finsters work continues to reach out and influence beyond his death, and his importance as an American folk artist is yet to be fully relised.

Folk Art Church

Like all of Finsters work the images below contain messages to the audience. The type arrangedment tells the viewer the story of the piece and allthough unreadable here the visual can stilll be enjoyed

Finster Baptismal Service - Howard is the forth from left

Vision Of A Great Guld On Plante Hell

In his "Vision of a Great Gulf on Planet Hell", there are numerous figures falling through into a fiery pit filled with demons, a fire-breathing serpent, and what appears to be a dog wearing a Santa Claus hat. Warnings abound, including, "THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN HELL WILL WIND UP IN HELL."

Vision of a Great Gulf on Planet Hell, enamel on wood, 1980.

Visions Of Things

In this picece Howard has little to say as far as type on the work. But it is the city that is the main focus of the piece and on the first hill to the right it says "city of Clobendra" and "visions of things in other worlds my God be with you all forever." "13.000.760 works. Feb 17-1990 5:23 : pm : BY. Howard Finster from God."

Visions Of Things 1990 10 x 8
Paint and paint pens on 1/4" plywood. Feb. 17, 1990, #13,760.

Visions Of New Planets

The type on this painting says "visions of new planets eturnal life" and "they lived in the mountians in space and land and everywhere."

It seems that these references are pointing to Howards "vision" of what he thinks future worlds (or exsiting ones) will be like in some ways.

Visions Of New Planets - Howard Finster -1988 22 x 22
Paint on masonite, framed. #9829 "12:29 past midnight, Dec. 27, 1988."