In this episode of House of Folk Art, host Matt Ledbetter welcomes back Cher Shaffer, a self-taught folk artist whose work captures heritage, instinct, and raw emotion. Raised in Georgia with Cherokee and Melungeon roots, Cher has spent over 55 years creating visionary paintings, pit-fired pottery, sculptural dolls, and face jugs, each infused with personal and cultural storytelling.
This time, Cher shares the deeper meanings behind her most personal pieces, the pushback she faced from the art world, and her latest body of work: The Day the Mountains Cried, a series inspired by the devastating Halloween storm in Ashe County, NC.
From the prophecy of her three thumbs to the spiritual process of seeing paintings before they emerge, this episode dives into the unshakable urge to create and what it truly means to be a visionary artist.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction: Cher Shaffer Returns
02:30 - The Family Prophecy: Three Thumbs and a Calling
06:15 - The Art That Sees Itself: Visionary Painting Explained
10:40 - When Art Dealers Tried to Stop Her
14:20 - The Day the Mountains Cried: Documenting the Storm
18:30 - The Emotional Toll of Capturing Loss in Art
22:00 - Finding Strength in the Mountains
26:40 - The Future of Cher’s Work: What Comes Next
30:15 - Final Thoughts: Why Folk Art Matters
The Family Prophecy: Three Thumbs and a Calling
Cher opens up about a family prophecy that shaped her artistic destiny. Born with three thumbs, her Cherokee grandfather declared, “She will do something great with her hands.” Though one was removed as a baby, Cher believes this early sign was a mark of fate, guiding her toward a lifetime of creation and storytelling.
The Art That Sees Itself: Visionary Painting Explained
After a near-death experience in 1985, Cher’s painting process transformed. Instead of sketching, she began seeing shapes and figures appear on the canvas before she even touched her brush. This intuitive, almost hallucinatory approach became her signature style.
“It’s like stepping into an in-between world—between dreams and visions.”
However, not everyone welcomed this shift.
When Art Dealers Tried to Stop Her
In the 1990s, Cher’s dealer—who represented her work in New York and Beverly Hills—insisted she stop making visionary paintings, saying it would alienate her audience. But Cher refused to conform.
Lesson: A true artist follows their vision, even when the market pushes back.
Today, those once-rejected visionary paintings are some of her most sought-after works.
The Day the Mountains Cried: Documenting the Storm
Cher’s latest series, The Day the Mountains Cried, captures the destruction of the Halloween flood in Ashe County, NC. Entire homes, ancient trees, and landscapes were swept away overnight.
“It’s like the mountains themselves were mourning.”
Her paintings reflect the loss, resilience, and spirit of the land, ensuring that the story of the storm won’t be forgotten.
Finding Strength in the Mountains
Cher describes the emotional connection between folk artists and their environment. Living deep in the Appalachian Mountains, she feels that the land guides her work, shaping not just her art but her entire way of life.
“People who aren’t strong don’t last in the mountains. You have to belong to them.”
The Future of Cher’s Work: What Comes Next?
With thousands of pieces already created, Cher is still pushing forward. She hopes to show The Day the Mountains Cried first in North Carolina, then beyond.
Final Thoughts: Why Folk Art Matters
Folk art isn’t just about craftsmanship—it’s about history, identity, and survival. Cher’s work is a living record of tradition, emotion, and the human experience.
Whether you’re an artist, collector, or just someone who loves a great story, this episode is a must-watch.
📢 Do you own a piece of Cher Shaffer’s work? Drop a comment below!
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