25.+Howard+Finster

1. Birthplace and Dates of Birth (and Death, if appropriate)
He was born on December 2, 1916 in Georgia, and lived to October 22, 2001.

2. Art movement (for example, Abstract Expressionism)
He was in the Abstract Expressionism movement.

3. Where did they study or who did they apprentice with?
Howard Finster did not apprentice anyone; he started his art career at an early age.

4. Who or what influenced their work?
Howard said that God spoke directly to him through his visions, and that is what inspired his paintings.

5. What made their work unique? Describe their style of artwork.
Howard Finster saw himself as a visitor from another planet. This made his paintings have a different perspective than many other aritsts. His painting were often cartoon versions of people and animals.

6. Is there any interesting story of their life you can share?
Howard Finster is the creator of Paradise Gardens Park & Museum, a product of all his folk art and Chattooga County's largest tourist attraction. He began this Paradise Gardens around 1961 before he had a vision to do sacred art. In 1976 he was rubbing paint on a bicycle with his fingers and saw the image of a face on the end of his finger. He had a vision. A voice told Howard to do sacred art. He replied that he could not do art because he was not a professional. The voice asked him repeatedly, "How do you know?" The Reverend Howard Finster has followed his vision and the image of the face on his finger has become known as his "Resting Souls" figures in his art. Hundreds of visitors come each week to wonder through the park and Howard is still there in heart and in spirit. Paradise Gardens is a image of abstract, symbolic sculptures and structures. The presence of the sculptures, their lessons and The Reverend Howard's messages from God pervades throughout the Gardens and Chapel. The Garden Chapel that he built, now awaits to be refurbished with old magazines, and books on Howard and his art. Up the winding staircase are drawings, paintings, sculptures and many of his unusual collections. Howard Finster was truly a visionary man who shared his unique gift freely with anyone who took the time to care. He seems a simple man, yet his wisdom cannot be measured, he was a warm, compassionate man with a story to tell. He is loved by people of all ages and by little children were special in his heart.

7. Include a quote by or about the artist.

 * "I NEVER MET A PERSON THAT I DIDN'T LOVE"**

9. Images of 3 most famous works (with title and date of work)






10. Citations of Research
http://www.finster.com/HFBiography.htm http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/8993259 http://alumnus.caltech.edu/~dacrotty/finster.html