Outsider Artist

I first heard this term, Outsider Artist, in my first summer doing my Masters Program.  An Outsider Artist is someone who doesn't have formal training, thinks outside of the box, and steps outside the boundaries.  I qualify as an outsider artist but the first person I thought of was my Dad.  Funny enough I never considered him as an artist but someone who likes to make stuff.  Once I started looking at all the stuff he has made I quickly realized he is very much an Outsider Artist and an excellent artist at that.  I am so proud of the work he has done and I always like to show-off how great my family is so here is my chance.  A small showcase to some (very little actually) of the work my Dad has created.

My Dad doesn't wear an apron or coveralls because everyday all day he is creating something so he wears his art (or the remnants of it) everyday all day.

My Dad's garage or you could say his artist studio.

^^ This is my favourite thing in my Dad's shop.  It's an old toy accordion that we used to play with in my Grandpa's old shop.  I love and hate that my Dad holds on to everything but in this situation I am so happy that my Dad kept this toy and has it out for us to see every time we are home.

^^ Another thing I love about the shop is my Dad's writing all over his tools and equipment with small instructions on how to get the job done.  If someone were to come into the shop and not know my Dad they would think it is the messiest and cluttered space they have ever seen.  However, if you ask my Dad for one particular tool or screw he will go exactly to a small bucket with a ton of other screws in it and pull out just the one you need. 

^^ My crazy father has been hurting himself lately and a couple of years ago he lost the top of his middle finger when building in the shop.  Since then he has created some "safety" gear to work some of his machines.  He honestly hurts himself badly once a year and he wouldn't tell a soul or do anything about it however thank goodness someone has witnessed almost all of his crazy accidents.  He scares me sometimes with the risks he takes.

This was one of the coolest things my Dad and I built together.  And it has changed dramatically since we started it.  It is one the most entertaining and beautiful things he has on his property.  Everyone loves to come over feed the fish, let the koi suck on their fingers, and admire the small trinkets he has placed around the water feature.

It's hard to pinpoint when my Dad really started to take his hobby to the next level but it definitely started right around when this character was built.  I just love this dog, actually I think its one of my favourite things my Dad has created.  It's his own genuine design, he carved it out of wood, and used found objects to finish off the subtle details.  I used this particular piece to showcase the importance of outsider artists in your community and bringing them into your classroom.

^^ My Dad built this gazebo for my brother's wedding.

My Dad really got into cutting out metal.  We have this adorable wind chime he made and he really got good at it on his Western designs.

^^ He built this for his Grandkids to play in.  

^^ This is a recent build, a greenhouse, for his next hobby.

^^ He built this beautiful dump truck for Finn.  I think this toy is going to be so well used and loved.

His most recent passion has been building log furniture.  I completely forgot to capture even one of the beds he has made.  That can be for next time I guess.