Book Description
for Art from Her Heart by Kathy Whitehead and Shane W. Evans
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
“The art that poured from Clementine’s heart and mind gives us a window to her life on the plantation. A window we would have missed if Clementine Hunter had waited for a perfect time to paint.” A self-taught artist, former slave Clementine Hunter began painting in middle age, using leftover supplies and scrap materials from the artists she served at Melrose plantation. Modest about her work, Clementine gave her paintings away and later sold them for twenty-five cents. Her paintings were eventually recognized not only for the cultural scenes they captured but for the context in which they were created. The folk artist’s fame spread, and paintings that were once clipped to the clothesline were later displayed in prominent galleries. Clementine Hunter’s story is well framed by the author and suitably illustrated with mixed media. Images of Hunter’s works, as well as a bibliography and author’s note, conclude this picture book biography. (Ages 5–9)
CCBC Choices 2009. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2009. Used with permission.