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10.23.01 / Tribute to Reverend Howard Finster
Images & thoughts about the late, but never forgotten, Reverend Howard Finster.
Howard Finster went to be with the Lord Oct. 22, 2001. Visitation was at Erwin & Petitt Funeral Home Tues. Oct. 23 from 6-8 PM. The service was Oct. 24 at 2.00 PM.
He is with a Band Of Angels, his arms are open wide and he has the most beautiful smile on his face. He is more alive now than he ever has been. He is coming back with those angels to get us. So be ready to go. He will always be alive here and in our hearts. Remember one thing about him, "He never met a person that he didn't Love."
Finster Folk Art Gallery represents folk art originals of over 50 regional folk artists. Come see what we have and roam Howard Finster's 2 1/2 acre folk art park called, "Paradise Gardens." To learn more about Howard Finster's life here and his Paradise Gardens, go to the bottom of the page and visit all the Website. directories. Directions to get here are at the end of the Paradise Gardens page. We are open daily from 12-5 and Howard Finster's spirit is always here.
www.finster.com
"Thanks Howard for sharing your vision and for showing all of us the way"
-Miz Thang
EARS OF JOY AND SORROW HAVE BEEN FLOWING HERE IN OUR GARDEN FOR THE LOSS OF THE GREAT HOWARD FINSTER. HE HAS BEEN DREAMING OF BEULAH LAND FOR MANY MOONS AND HIS REWARD HAS COME. THIS OLD WORLD LOST A GOOD ONE FOR SURE AND NOW SAINT HOWARD IS IN HEAVEN INTERCEDING FOR ALL US OUTSIDER ARTISTS. THIS BACKSLIDER IS A BETTER CHIEF FOR KNOWING HIM FOR SURE. HE LOVED EVERYONE HE MET ALONG THE WAY AND WAS ALWAYS WANTING US TO KEEP THE FLAME ALIVE. HE WANTED US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER ALONG THE WAY. THROUGH HIS FRIENDS AND PAINTINGS HE WILL LIVE ON IN THIS WORLD AND FOREVER IN HEAVEN. I'LL BET HE HAS A COKE BOTTLE PAINTING IN THE WORKS. I GONNA PUT MY REQUEST IN NOW FOR ONE. STREETS OF GOLD AND WALLS OF JASPER AND A MANSION ON A HILL WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITH OUT A VISION FROM SAINT HOWARD.
GOD BLESS YOU,
BIG CHIEF
How sad. What a great loss for the art world. He was really one of a kind.
-Allison Lee Merriweather
Howard was a dear friend to me a teacher and lover of all that is good in the world. I can say in big letters HE CHANGED MY LIFE - Howard was so supportive of my early steps in Art- he told me that my talents were good for the world that my love for God's creation was in my paintings- we talked about life with God and the role artists can play in the view of good things to come. Most recently he told me that he was ready to be with God and urged me to be prepared for my time as well.. He was very special to Sandy and I he was a special friend to Bongo our Dog and on several occasions played banjo while Bongo struck a happy tune on his little piano. He wrote the following words on top of Bongo's piano "Bongo you bless the people far and near We hope to see you in Heaven You are my favorite dog who plays for me -Howard Finster"
Howard truly had a love for all God's creatures and made room for so many in the Garden. On several afternoons we were able to spend time talking while he worked- these are among my favorite times so open to all who took time with him. On August 12 1994 he wrote the following on back of one of my favorite paintings we live with " TO THE LAND BEYOND OUR ROSES WHERE LILIES NEVER DIE. NOT ONE TEAR FALLS FROM AN EYE. WHERE THE LIGHT OF GOD'S GLORY OUT SHINES THE SUN WHERE MANS WORK IS ALL DONE. GOLDEN STREETS MANSIONS HIGH NO MORE WARS WHERE PEOPLE DIE. HOLY MANA FOR ALL PLENTY TO GO AROUND NO HUNGRY ON GODS HOLY GROUND I JUST COMPOSED THIS -HOWARD"
HE IS NOT MISSED BY ME as I know we will be together again a promises through Howard from God. The world was blessed by him and our prayers are with his entire family and special blessings to Pauline in this time of her earthly loss.
Love your friend
Peter Loose Hull, GA USA
P.S.
Sandy and I will attend the service tomorrow and carry an Angel painting from Annie G Wellborn to Beverly which reads "I know the Angels are with you now"
Love Annie W
I'm very much saddend by the passin of howard, although we are all here to go, we still miss the physical presence of those we know and love,if i could say anything of howard in terms of a memoreium, he was one of my hero's in the sense that, he was someone who inspired you to be not like him, but to be more like yourself,he was the greatgrandfather i think every-kid should have, he was one who listened and heard the angels that speak to us everyday,opened that door in the slip-stream of consiciousness where most are afraid to go,one that followed a path, set out, preached the good word, from another time,a modern day shaman,visionairy like the old testament prophets,he had that fire in his eyes that conviction and faith that allows one to see way far beyond this temporal plane,i think a good thing about art in one sense is that when the maker is gone the art remains as a testament to the life lived.i think and know that howard touched countless lives, and for those who got the chance to spend a little time listen to him speak, watch ,can testify to the wunderful intensity of an inspired life, lived to the brim of it's capacity,coming from an esoteric deep south line of reveler's, preacher man,seen these people most of my life, i think he was one that was touched,and in turn touched those around him, with his art,his deeds, and his life, it was truely truely truely a beautiful and inspiring thing to witness.i know he will be dearly missed on this planet,and it'll be good to see him in the next, but nonethless, he was like some tibetian monk in a sense, that he seen this life as a steeping stone to the next, and as he said heaven is worth it all,hence he is in the place where he wants tobe,after a job well-done,much love and respect, adois.
- elegge. x.xxIII. 01.
mircales and blessins abound.
Met a great and wonderful angel down here, and I, Missionary Mary Proctor would love to walk in the shoes and carry the message the Howard carried down here on Earth. He is home right now, and that gives me great peace. Bless you.
-Mary Proctor
Howard Finster was always the consummate preacher by word, music and art, and he will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him. Howard never met a stranger. He was always gregarious and outgoing, and the conversation, often one sided, tended to a stream of consciousness that always turned to sin and redemption. Yours and his!
Howard a “Man of Visions” began to paint in 1976 after an image appeared on his thumb while he was painting a bicycle, which he interpreted as a sign from God. His paintings, which are crowded with lushness, much as “Paradise Gardens” are not limited to images, but are intricately, embellished with Biblical texts and sermons. Howard never saw a surface that wasn’t fit to be painted on.
To call Howard Finster an “Outsider Artist” is a misnomer, unless one is referring only to the fact that he was not of the mainstream art world. Howard was very much a member of several “communities”, but most specifically he was a Southern Baptist evangelical preacher, who had a flock to tend. Howard Finster belonged! Just like Bill Traylor, Martin Rameriz, and Henry Darger, Howard was a product of his culture, his time and his place. Howard Finster belonged to all of us, and his art was his way of gathering people to him so he could preach the word of God.
Over the years I had the opportunity to meet Howard Finster many times, mostly in the presence of large numbers of people, but on a few occasions I was lucky enough to encounter him in situations that allowed me the opportunity to visit on a one to one basis. The first time such an occasion arose was at an annual “Re-cycling Children’s Art Fair” at “Paradise Gardens”. With plenty of children and helpers Howard and I were pretty much left alone. While the children and the helpers worked so did Howard, and while he worked with paint pens on primed board, he talked about the pieces he was working on, and demonstrated how he worked and how every space needed to be filled in. The painting was full of “highways” to heaven, towers, angles, trees, and the back of the piece (24 x 18) was filled with the message that sinners will be redeemed by God. It was a wonderful opportunity to see and hear how he worked, and how the art was the stick to get your attention so that you would not miss the message that God was the redeemer. Howard’s work was didactic.
Another opportunity that I had to visit with Howard “alone” was at the “Virginia-Highland’s Summer Fest” in Atlanta. While the “crew” was setting up for the “Fest” Howard was sitting on a set of steps leading up to a large house where I joined him. At that time he had perfected an analogy between an electric motor and God. As Howard explained it the electricity which ran the motor could not be seen but the work that the motor performed could, and while we couldn’t see God we could see the work that his influence performed. Faith was the answer. We talked about family, life, the problems in the world and it was a very pleasant way to start the day.
The last time I saw Howard was in New York City. He had been the invited speaker at the Museum of American Folk Art, and had been escorted by his daughter Beverly. After the talk a “party” adjourned to a restaurant for diner, and I enjoyed both Howard’s and Beverly’s company. After diner I walked with Howard and Beverly back to their Hotel about four large blocks. It was cold and the progress was slow, but we all made it in good stead. We all said good night, and went our separate ways.
Howard Finster touched thousands of lives in many ways over a long period of time. He never saw a soul that could not be saved, and his art will carry that message for centuries to come. I was my pleasure to know and spend time with this very gentle, very sincere “Man of Visions”.
-Tim Flinn
Our dear friend, preacher, teacher, and now our special angel. He lived by Christ's example, taking time to be holy, in the simplest and most profound ways; with kind words of encouragement, sound advice or a strong sermon if needed, with his good humor to lighten our burdens, with a song on the banjo to keep us and the kids entertained, giving us the plain message of God's word in his art, and by always giving just a little extra--like when he gave you his autograph he also gave you a special guarding angel. And never once in all our many visits with him did he ever fail to offer us something to eat. (Hebrews 13:1-2, "let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for
thereby some have entertained angels unawares.")---he was a doer of the word and not just a sayer only He worked day and night and made his life a living testimony of what one simple man can do with God's help if he works hard and walks in faith.
During his long life there is no telling how many souls he saved or people he helped during his years as a tent revival preacher and jack of all trades. And on his last day of life when he was asked if he was hurting, he said "no ,I'm just tired" Rest, in perfect peace Howard, you deserve it.
What Howard did in the art world was to blow open the door like a breath of fresh air and he kept the door open wide for a whole generation of people to fully express themselves. He lifted and encouraged others, and promoted his vision, and God's word tirelessly.
Personally he was a bright white light in our lives. In our darkest hours of grief and confusion, he prayed with us and helped us to see the promise of God's plan for us. He was the first person to encourage us in our art and to give us an opportunity to share it with others. Simple gifts from the heart that that did no less than completely save us and show us purpose and meaning. And as we also began to walk in faith , we began also to see the miracles that God can work.
And Howard's spirit lives on in this world in the art he left behind and the countless lives he touched. Many of us that looked to him for guidance, realize that now we have step forward. Howard did his part. With this old world with all it's pain , we've got to continue the work to lead others to God.
After Howard's funeral we walked through Paradise Gardens. God's presence was full in the trees, and the birds and the creatures, and Howard spirit was speaking from the signs and sparkling sidewalk messages. For death can't claim those who believe in God. And Jesus cares for his children now with the help of a very special angel.
With love, and gratitude,
Grace Kelly and C.M. Laster
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