Purvis Young & Mary Proctor

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

Sometimes you can find art in the most unusual places.

While on vacation in Chicago a couple weeks ago, my husband and decided to stop by the House of Blues for a night cap.  We had spent all day out-and-about and we weren’t quite ready to head back to our hotel.  Plus, since we have both here in Orlando, I like to visit the tourist traps, the House of Blues and the Hard Rock Cafe, when I am visiting another city.

Upon entering the building I was immediately overwhelmed by their art collection.  Nearly every square inch of wall space was covered in the most epic collection of artwork by self-taught artists.  As I expressed my astonishment to the staff – who were incredibly friendly and obviously proud of their collection – they allowed us to explore the entire building so that we could see all the artwork, including spaces reserved for a private event.

As we wandered, something caught my eye – a large piece by Mary Proctor, an artist based out of Tallahassee, FL (her artwork is on the far left of the image attached to this post).  This made me wonder if there were any pieces by Purvis Young, an untrained artist with work currently on view at the Orlando Museum of Art.  My hunch was correct and I eventually found two pieces by Purvis Young.

This discovery was the perfect surprise to end a wonderful day in the Windy City.

For more information on Mary Proctor, please visit…

https://www.jtfolkart.com/mary-proctor

For more information on Purvis Young, please visit…

https://omart.org/exhibitions/purvis_young_and_his_angels/

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I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.