Folk art is a term that describes the work of self-taught artists.

The origins of folk art can be traced back to ancient times, when people created objects for their own use or as gifts to family members and friends.

These early works were often made by hand using only simple tools like knives and hammers.

Today, folk artists continue to find inspiration in traditional techniques while incorporating modern materials into their work – a combination that makes them uniquely suited to tell us something about ourselves as individuals and communities today.

History of Folk Art

Folk art is an umbrella term for a wide range of traditional arts and crafts. It encompasses many mediums, including painting, sculpture, weaving and jewelry making.

Folk art encompasses both functional objects (such as pottery) and non-functional ones that are purely decorative in nature.

The term “folk” refers to the fact that these objects were created by ordinary people rather than artists trained in schools or academies.

Types of Folk Art

There are many different types of folk art. Some examples include:

  • Traditional Folk Art, which is usually created by people who live in rural areas and use traditional materials to make their work.
  • Examples include quilts and pottery made from clay that has been molded into a shape by hand.
  • Religious Folk Art, which often involves artwork inspired by religious stories or beliefs.
  • For example, one could create a painting of Jesus Christ or Mary Magdalene using only paint on canvas (or other surface).
  • Cultural Folk Art refers to any type of artwork that reflects the traditions, customs and beliefs of a particular culture or community–for instance an African American artist might create paintings about slavery using acrylics on canvas;
  • whereas someone else might use watercolors instead because it’s easier for them!

Folk Art In Different Cultures

Folk art is a very broad term that encompasses many different types of art.

To put it simply, folk art can be defined as any form of visual expression made by an untrained artist or artisan.

This includes paintings on canvas or wood panels, sculptures carved from stone or wood and even decorative items such as quilts and pottery.
The term “folk” refers to the people who created these forms of visual expression;

they were not trained artists but rather ordinary people who made their own unique pieces for personal use or for sale at local markets.

Contemporary Folk Art

Contemporary Folk Art is a style of art that incorporates traditional folk themes, materials and techniques.

It’s often created by artists who grew up in rural areas and have a deep connection to their cultural heritage.

Contemporary Folk Art can be found all over the world, but it has become especially popular in America since the 1960s when many people started moving from rural areas into cities.


Some examples of contemporary folk art include quilts made from recycled materials:

  • paintings on wood panels depicting scenes from daily life,
  • sculptures made from discarded objects like bottle caps or tin cans,
  • beadwork jewelry based on Native American designs,
  • woven baskets made with natural dyes such as indigo (a blue plant dye) or walnut hulls (a brown plant dye),
  • pottery decorated with animal motifs such as rabbits or deer tracks – these are just some ideas for how you could incorporate your own personal style into this genre!

Preserving Folk Art

Folk art is an important part of our cultural heritage.

It reflects the history, traditions and values of a particular group or community.

In order to preserve this form of expression, it is essential that we take steps to ensure its survival.

Fortunately, there are many organizations around the world working hard to do just that!

For example: The National Trust for Scotland – This organization was founded in 1931 with the aim of protecting Scotland’s natural beauty as well as its historic buildings and monuments.

They also work on projects related to folk culture such as promoting traditional crafts like knitting or spinning wool into yarns while also helping people learn more about traditional dances like Highland Fling.

Folk Art As a Career

Folk art is a wonderful way to make a living, but it takes time and effort to learn the craft.

If you’re interested in becoming a folk artist, consider looking for an apprenticeship with someone who is already established in the field.

The best way to do this is by asking around at local festivals or fairs where artists tend to congregate.

You could also check out local art galleries and museums; many will have information about upcoming events where you can meet fellow artists from around town.

If there aren’t any opportunities available locally, try searching online for schools that teach folk art skills like painting on glass or woodworking techniques such as carving faces into pumpkins (a popular Halloween tradition).

These types of classes are often offered through community colleges or private institutions such as The Folk Art School of New York City.

Folk Art and Technology

Folk art is a great way to express yourself and connect with others.

The internet has opened up new ways of sharing your creations, whether you’re posting them on social media or hosting them on your own website.

Here are some tips for getting started:

  • Use an app like Instagram to share photos of your work with other artists and fans around the world.
  • You can also use apps like Snapchat or Facebook Live to create videos of yourself painting in real time!
  • Create an account on Etsy if you want people from all over the world who love folk art as much as you do access to buy prints of your paintings (or even original paintings).

Folk Art – Wrap Up

Folk art is a term used to describe works of art that are created by people who are not professional artists.

They can be made by individuals or groups, and they often reflect the culture of their creators. Folk art can be found all over the world, but it’s especially prominent in countries where there is little access to museums or galleries.
Folk art has had an enormous impact on society because it allows people from different cultures to share their stories through visual means.

It also helps us understand how other cultures live and think about things differently than we do here in North America–which is always nice!