Saint George & the Dragon, Carved Out of Section of Plank - Painted c. 1938

Majel G. Claflin made this carving of Saint George and the Dragon out of a section of plank and paint. There's something so charming about folk art's directness; the way it’s so in touch with process. Look at how the wood grain is allowed to show through the paint, and how the carving marks remain visible, creating a lively surface texture. It’s not about hiding the labor, but about celebrating the making. The colours are muted, almost faded, giving it a timeless quality. The dragon's eye is a simple dot, yet it conveys so much. This carving reminds me a bit of work by Elijah Pierce, another folk artist who used wood carving and paint to tell stories. Both artists share a similar sense of playfulness and a commitment to their materials. There's a raw honesty in this kind of work, an invitation to see the world through a different lens, one that values simplicity and direct expression over technical perfection.