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Woodland creatures populate this scene painted on a saw blade. this
Images (click to enlarge)
Cultural Objects, Folk Art

Painted Saw Blade

People
Maker/Creator: Selma Keith
Date
Unknown
Places
Floyd (Courthouse District)
Material/Medium

Steel Bull Saw

Specifications
  • Blade length: 48 inches
  • Length with handle: 54 inches
Description

In this painting a red barn and white farmhouse stand out against dark green hills and a grayish-blue sky. A solitary human is heading from the house to the barn as the sun rises over the hill behind him. The entire scene is teeming with life, from patches of blooming flowers, bears,  turkeys, skunks; and, of course, many deer.

Keywords
Folk art, saw blade painting
Bio Sketch

Nathaniel Selma Joe Keith (1913-1999) was the son of Andrew Jackson and Mattie Keith.  He was married to Josie Alderman.  It is easy to imagine his and his family’s delight in all the animals he tucked into this painting.