A native of Campton, Kentucky, Earnest Patton began woodcarving in his late twenties. The nephew of renowned woodcarver Edgar Tolson, Patton was influenced by Tolson’s biblical scenes in addition to the scenery of the rural life he led. Patton began carving animals and human figures, but eventually moved on to create a series of animal and human hybrids based on mythology. Most often Patton used poplar or linwood, finishing with machinery paint.

 

Related artists in KMAC's collection:

Garland Adkins, Minnie Adkins, Ernest Baker, Linvel Barker, Minnie Black, Marvin Finn, Denzil Goodpaster, Tim Hall, Larry Hamm, Alma Lesch, Erma "Junior" Lewis, Tim Lewis, Lloyd "Hog" Mattingly, Carl McKenzie, Donny Tolson

 

Click to view an archival list of all artists in the collection.

 

Recurring themes:

Agriculture, Class, Domestic Life, Spirituality

 

KMAC exhibitions:

Hollers and Harvests

 

Reference material:

Swain, Adrian. Local Visions: Folk Art from Northeast Kentucky. Morehead, Ky.: Morehead State University, 1990.