O'Kelley, Mattie Lou (c. 1908–1997)

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O'Kelley, Mattie Lou (c. 1908–1997)

American folk artist. Born in Georgia, c. 1908; died in Decatur, Georgia, July 1997.

Self-taught folk artist, took up her paint brush at age 60 and created a memoir of canvases depicting rural Southern life in early part of 20th century; produced autobiographical paintings with such titles as Papa Feeding the Stock at 4 a.m., Bringing in the Night Water and Mattie in the Morning Glories, which document the hard work and simple pleasures of her youthful days in Georgia countryside; work is included in a number of museum collections, including American Museum of Folk Art.

See also Mattie Lou O'Kelley: Folk Artist (Bulfinch, 1989); and Women in World History.

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O'Kelley, Mattie Lou (c. 1908–1997)

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