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Gene Flowers, a retired school teacher, has lived most of
his life in Christopher, a small town in southern Illinois, and now resides
in Sesser. Growing up during the depression years created a love of nature and
the simple life of rural America. This inspired him to capture some of our past
and present culture. Many feature articles about Gene and his work refer to
him as a naturalist and a romanticist, as well as a Grandpa Moses.
Thousands of his prints now hang in homes, offices, malls, businesses, motels, gift shops, restaurants, and galleries throughout America and other countries. Dealers in many states also sell his work. Having such a large volume of sales has allowed him to keep his prints so modestly priced.
An original drawing may take from 45 to 100 hours to complete. His eye for detail and self demand for accuracy forces him to do such things as count the rows of bricks in a building or chimney, the number of boards and sheet metal on an old barn, and the petals on a wild flower. Thousands of strokes are used to show the leaves on a tree, the hair on a squirrel, or plants covering a field.
Gene's work has been featured on the local PBS and ABC Television affiliates. Several times it was used as the centerfold in Springhouse Magazine, the front cover of Southern Illinois Country, Hill Calendars, book-covers, brochures, real estate pamphlets, and special events at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Recently a surgeon, Dr. Fox of West Frankfort, Il. used 5 of his scenes in both softback and hardback books titled "Working Without A Net". After featuring Gene and his work on the ABC affiliate, the program ended with of one of the commentators saying, "Gene is a poor man's artist... His prints are so fine yet, so affordable.
Recently, The Associated Press did a full page feature article on his work and life. From the response he has received, the article has flooded every state in America.
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The Art of Gene Flowers Copyright © 1996 - 2007 |
