Howard Finster: A Man of Vision


"I never seen a person I didn't love." ~Howard Finster

As a little boy of three, Howard had his first vision while standing in the field of his Alabama home. He looked up and beheld his sister Abby descending from the clouds, steps appearing before her as she came and went... He called to her, unaware of any spiritual significance to his encounter. So began an incredible love affair between Howard and the Lord.

Howard grew up with thirteen siblings, although several left this earthly home to be with Jesus before he was grown. At the young age of sixteen, the Lord called him to preach the Gospel. He began to start tent revivals and build churches. Soon after he married Pauline and together they raised five children. They remained faithful to their marriage, their children, and above all, the call on their life to serve the Lord. As far as Howard's preaching is concerned, the story is told that one Sunday night he asked who rememberd his Sunday morning sermon... No one did! He gave up "church preaching" and set forth to reach out to the congregation of the world through his tremendous gifts and talents as an artist.

Howard Finster is the creater of Paradise Gardens Park and Museum. This amazing place is a product of and showcases his folk art. He began Paradise Gardens in 1961, fifteen years before he began to create sacred art. In 1976, while painting a bicycle with his fingers, he saw the image of a face on the end of his finger. A voice told him to do sacred art, to which Howard answered that he could not do art because he was not a professional. The voice asked him repeatedly, "How do you know?" In response to the question, Howard began painting and embarked on a journey that has not been rivaled by another folk artist since.
A visionary man who freely shared his gift with anyone who took the time to care, Howard seemed a simple man, yet his wisdom was immeasurable. Warm and compassionate, he was loved by people of all ages, with little children holding a special place in his heart. He had art showings all around the world, including the Smithsonian Institute. There are permenent displays of his work at the Library of Congress and at the High Museum in Atlanta. He taught many students in college workshops across the nation. His face graced the cover of the Wall Street Journal and he has been featured in innumerable magazines and newspapers, including Time, Life, Southern Living, NY Times, Chicago Times, Rolling Stone, and People . He was invited (and accpepted) to be on the Johnny Carson Show, Good Morning America, as well as TV broadcasts in Canada, England, and Japan. He painted album covers for well known rock musicians REM and Talking Heads. The Coca-Cola company commissioned Howard to paint an eight foot Olympic Coke bottle to represent the United States art exhibit for the Olympics in 1996. He also created a piece for Habitat for Humanity. Turner Publishing hired Howard to paint illustrations for "The Night Before Christmas" in 1996, an assignment which brought an eighty year old Howard back in touch with himself as a child full of wonder. This same year, he painted a wooden box symbolizing the C.A.R.E. package for the program's 50th anniversary. This box was presented to President Clinton.

Numerous celebreties and artists have visited with Howard, testifying to how much of an impact he has had on our society. His art is loved by all ages and has found a very secure niche in American culture. His name is synonomous with Folk Art, as any folk aficionado can tell you. Truly Howard possessed a special calling and a special talant. While it was and is his art that has drawn people to visit his exhibits and to see his Paradise Gardens, it is the message he preached that was his greatest passion. Even now, we are each blessed through Howard's living, even after his death. Truly Howard Finster was a MAN OF VISION, obedient and faithful to the Lord throughout his long life here on earth, and even now, in his chapel in the sky.

On a sign posted in the Garden....

a poem by Howard:

"I took the pieces you threw away and put them togather by night and day,
washed by rain and dried by sun a million pieces all in one."