A Man of Vision
Howard Finster is the undisputed grandfather of modern American Visionary art. From his humble birth in 1915 in Valley Head Alabama to his passing in 2001 as one of the most celebrated and prolific artist of the last century, he retained a down home charm and deep devotion to a God given call to communicate the Good News. Howard was converted to the Christian faith at 13 years old and began his ministry at 16. From his early days of woodworking and "chalk talk" Bible studies Howard was a born communicator. His love for people inspired the motto for which he has become famous "I never met a person I did not LOVE"
Moving to Trion Georgia, Rev. Finster worked in the local mill, repaired bicycles for children, repaired small engines and pastured over 10 churches in 40 years. Throughout this time he engaged in evangelistic tent revivals in the Eastern U.S. and produced a weekly radio program and two newspaper columns. The remarkable range of achievements is even more profound in light of his 6th grade education as one of 13 children raised on a rural farm.
Upon his arrival in Georgia Howard had begun a recycled art garden which was later moved to nearby Pennville, Georgia .Through the Garden Howard garnered national attention and his surreal botanical world was dubbed "a Garden of Paradise" from which the name Paradise Gardens evolved. In 1976 the vision of a face in a paint smudge on his finger directed Howard to "Paint Sacred Art". Nearly 50,000 paintings later Rev. Finster’s vision has placed his artwork in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the American Folk Art Museum in NYC, the Library of Congress and major museums and collections around the world.
Through the years music groups like REM, Talking Heads U2, Blackhawk and The News Boys have utilized Howard’s art as covers on albums/CDs and some have filmed music videos in Paradise Gardens. Howard has achieved icon status among three generations of artists and art fans from the broadest spectrum of American culture any artist has ever enjoyed. His humble and honest personality, genuine charm and fascinating artwork continue to captivate a new generation. Paradise Gardens hosts visitors from around the globe and is undergoing a major restoration and preservation. Of his recycled art creation Rev. Finster boasted: "I took the pieces you threw away put them together by night and day washed by rain and dried by sun a million pieces all in one."
