FRANCE M. FOLSE
(1906 - 1985)
by: Paul Edelstein
France Folse was born in Raceland, Louisiana in the early part of this century. Raceland is located in the heart of Lafourche Parish on Bayou Lafourche. This time and place provided Folse a rich source of subject matter from which to draw. Her paintings typically offer a historical sketch of the people of Lafourche and the surrounding region.
Folse was born the only child of Eusebe N. Folse (1876-1959) and Alida M. Folse (1879-1966). She was left with a crippling Arthritis after a lengthy fever as a young woman. She was not able to complete a formal education as there were no accommodations for the handicapped. Folse lived with her parents and was dependent on them. For a time she worked as a writer and bookkeeper for the Lafourche Life Insurance Company, where her father worked.
Folse taught herself painting through correspondence courses, which she began in 1938. In 1946, Folse visited, Robert Field, the director of the Art School for Newcomb College in New Orleans with the hope of going to school there. She brought along several of her paintings to show him. Field was so impressed with her work that he advised her not to take lessons so as not to spoil the individuality of her style. In 1944, Folse met the prominent art collector, William Groves, who purchased her paintings and encouraged her to begin showing her work. Folse first exhibited in the 1947 Spring Fiesta Art Show in Pirates' Alley in New Orleans.
Groves had told Folse to enter but not to expect anything because of the lack of recognition for primitive art. However, Folse received her first praise and recognition as a result of the show.
Albert Collier, Art Critique for the Times-Picayune Newspaper wrote the following about the 1947 Spring Fiesta Art Show: "The majority of the work shown belongs to the nonprofessional group and the quality is definitely mediocre. However, there is one exception; The paintings of France M. Folse, which fall into this group are among the most pleasing things in the entire exhibit.
Miss Folse is a true primitive. Her color and her designs are delightful and the flat tones of her paintings are laid on with loving care. Everything she displays, except for one conventional religious chromo, show a lively imagination and an untutored talent that should be encouraged."
Over the period between 1947-1961, Folse entered numerous shows where she won many prizes. In 1971 Folse published, "Gems in a Kingdom", a book of prose and poetry.
Around the late 1950's, Folse began teaching art classes out of her home in Raceland as an employee the Lafourche Parish School Board. These classes were open to adults. Her students included Libby Ayo, Mary Boudreaux, Dolores Legendre and Neola Barrios, all noted Lafourche Artists.
Folse encouraged her students to venture away from academic painting and explore the primitive style. Folse's influence is seen in Mary Boudreaux's miniature naive plantation scenes. Folse may be considered the mother of the "Lafourche School" of painting.
Paul Edelstein - The Paul Edelstein Gallery - Memphis TN.