Featured Very naive (primative?) paintings - sell or trash?

My cousin developed dementia and was in a nursing home the last few years of her life. She did paintings as part of the activities program. I've had them tucked away and have to decide what to do with them. They are all on artist board. Is there any reason to think there'd be any interest in listing them? A couple have naive charm - like the red barn. Maybe offer them as a lot for $20.

 

I like the boats and the Christmas trees, I’m sure others would too. Outsider art is how it is known here in U.K.

 

Theres a sweetness to them , what a sad story though .

 

Very much like the boat, white house, red barn but my favorite by far is the staircase!

 

She was eight years older and took care of me a lot. My mother couldn't always care for me so I spent a lot of time in other homes until I was 12. My mother didn't want me home alone in the summer so Sylvia would pick me up on Sunday night and return me on the following Friday so I'd have some time at home. My mother and stepfather spent a lot of time in the tavern so I was still alone a lot. We would drive up to Montreal or Quebec, the White Mountains, Portsmouth. She was always a little 'different'. No ties. In a way, I was her slave. Did laundry, ironed, washed dishes, but it was a whirlwind of adventure. We went to the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York both summers. I'd like to keep them, but I'm in the process of decluttering and downsizing because we will inevitably need to move to a smaller place in the not too distant future. My kids don't want most of my own stuff, much less an older cousin they didn't really know. I was her guardian after she was diagnosed. She lived for ten years. The nursing home was a really good one and she was well cared for.

 

That one and the house by the lake are my favourites. Yes, they are charming.

 

Maybe keep one?

 

I have two that are of places I recognize. I think they may have given the residents images to copy. Sylvia took a painting class before she got dementia and I have one of a covered bridge and another of her house in NH that I kept. I gave the rest of her early pictures to her friends after she passed.

 

What I find fascinating is that is how she saw the world through her eyes. Beautiful!

 

I think they are very charming in a primitive way. Would the nursing home have any interest in them? I would think they would appeal to folks.
If you decide to offer them for sale, you could offer them as outsider, primitive or naive art. I would write a message when sending them out, giving the artists name, location, time frame and situation.
Good luck whatever you decide to do - an interesting and lovely story.

 

I think they’re charming too and think you should list them individually at a low starting price that covers your shipping (or has the shipping paid by the buyer) and let them ride. Agree with using Outsider, Naive and Primitive. Some may surprise you and you can then decide if the profit is an inheritance or something that you want to donate to those who cared for her.

 

Hi Bev,
I love the two red sailboats for some reason. Do not know why but they are really enjoyable. No one can give you advice, it has to come to you what to do with them.
greg

 

That's sad, Bev. I like the sailboat one and think there might be a market for them... it might be a nice way to honor your cousin's memory.

I have works by family members as well as ones my mother or I picked up over the years that aren't the highest quality, but have some appeal. I'm thinking of taking a stab at listing some.

 

love the barn!