A little folk art carved mouse – got cheese?

There’s something so charming about folk art. Whoever we are, whatever we do, the overwhelming desire to express ourselves runs deep. For many, that expression takes the form of folk art –objects created by untrained people as a form of whimsy, for a gift, for pleasure, often with a little pun thrown in. 

I confess to an unrelenting passion for folk art. My grandfather whittled in his spare time – carving tiny baskets from peach, and even cherry, pits. Care, patience and love went into each piece. His need to whittle was as great as his need to breathe, yet his objects served no function other than self expression. It was from him that I learned to appreciate the beauty in the ordinary, the possibilities in the mundane, the treasures at our feet, if we just open our eyes to see through a different lens.

Which is a long way of getting to this charming little carved mouse. He's not "art" - he's far too crudely made for that. But he does have a wonderfully expressive face, feet and tail carved for detail; he is a perfect example of folk art. I haven’t quite figured out the irregularities of why the base was carved as it was. One theory is that he was made to prop open a lightweight door – a tongue in cheek reference to a mouse getting in the house maybe? Whatever the maker’s intention, he’s (she’s?) created a delightful little piece I thought I’d share with you. Find him in our Etsy shop - Sophisticated Florida.

Go have some fun today!