A Natural State - Art Outside the Box - Episode 4

Kaltura

There are many definitions about what constitutes folk art. One definition by Sharon F. Patton states that a folk artist is one who is self-taught, usually makes art late in life which is tied to personal experiences and does not draw upon the conventions of formal art. According to Patton, the primary audience of the folk artist is the community, and the goal is to convey inner reality and personal vision. Using Patton’s definition, Jimmie, who likes to make people think, is a folk artist in the truest sense of the tradition.

You cannot walk across Jimmie’s property without seeing samples of his art. His ingenuity takes the visitor by surprise… Whether seemingly rooted in the ground or hanging from a tree, there is wonder all around. Jimmie truly thinks outside of the box and delights in bringing surprises to friends and neighbors.

More in this Series

Natural State / Coastal Plain | A Natural State / Jimmie Dinkins

A Natural State - Art Outside the Box 
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A Natural State
Episode 1
Jimmie is a self-taught craftsman, who initially picked up the art of fashioning vines and branches into wreaths and baskets while caring for an ailing parent. He honed his art and moved into the...
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A Natural State
Episode 2
Jimmie’s upbringing fostered creativity and resourcefulness. His joy in his family history is palpable. In his world, nothing is wasted. Every simple thing is treasured for the value of its inherent...
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A Natural State
Episode 3
Jimmie’s upbringing fostered creativity and resourcefulness. His joy in his family history is palpable. In his world, nothing is wasted. Every simple thing is treasured for the value of its inherent...
A Natural State - Art Outside the Box 
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A Natural State
Episode 5
Jimmie’s life is abundant with memories. Weaving the past into the present is a way of solidifying and unifying both. While he is an untrained artist, Jimmie understands and appreciates the very...
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A Natural State
Episode 6
Rustic furniture has been around for a very long time, often languishing in attics and barns in rural areas. Some fine examples of rustic furniture were a legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps...
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A Natural State
Episode 7
Jimmie Dinkins begins work on the side pieces. Wear sturdy work gloves when you are cleaning and flexing the branches. When using sharp tools such as pruning shears, exercise caution. Adult...
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A Natural State
Episode 8
f you don’t have access to an old picnic table like Jimmie is using in the video, make sure that you protect the surface of your work area with a large piece of scrap lumber or an old cutting board...
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A Natural State
Episode 9
Before beginning your project, look at your building materials. Try to locate nails that will work for the smaller joints as well as the larger joints. You may need to get more than one size...
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A Natural State
Episode 10
Your wood trellis will last a long time in the garden, but you can expect that it will weather a bit. You may have to add additional nails over time to further strengthen the structure of the trellis...
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A Natural State
Episode 11
Jimmie favors the old growth of the kudzu vine. He will plunge into the richness of a kudzu thicket armed with tall boots, pruning shears and a saw. He is well acquainted with dangers such as snakes...
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A Natural State
Episode 12
Remember to wear your work gloves when cleaning up the branches and vines. You can actually use willow for the spokes of your basket, and follow up with another type of vine, such as Virginia Creeper...
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A Natural State
Episode 13
What Jimmie is describing are standard weaving techniques. The first baskets were woven to collect fruits, nuts and grains. By making a basket, you are joining a long history of basket makers.
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A Natural State
Episode 14
By turning up the sides of the basket, you are creating a bowl shape. The higher you build the sides, the deeper the bowl, and more you can put into the bowl. If you don’t work the sides upwards, you...
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A Natural State
Episode 15
In this video, you can see just how tough these kudzu vines can be. If you are using other vining materials to build your basket, you will use the same techniques that Jimmie uses to add vines and...
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A Natural State
Episode 16
Don’t worry about small mistakes in your basket. They will just make your basket unique.
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A Natural State
Episode 17
To prolong the life of your basket and to give the basket a soft sheen, you may want to brush or spray the basket with a coat of wood sealant like you would use on a deck. If you choose to do this, do...