Woodie Long, well-known local artist, has passed away

[Eileen West]

Knowing Woodie

Knowing Woodie has brought joy to me for many years, long before he began to make art, back when he was a banjo pickin' house painter. Potter Brown, another local avatar who left us too soon, introduced us too many years ago.

As Woodie's star rose in the art world he remained real as rain. He would call artists who were having a rough patch and offer his help without waiting to be asked.

His beloved wife Dot has taken such loving care of him all these years, my heart breaks for her in her loss.

The pictures are from my gallery opening in May 07.

See you on the otherside, Woodie.

 

[Romeosmydog]

This guy...this local legend. He was more than a painter. More than a artist. More than a philanthropist. He was a force. He was a fierce friend, loyal husband, devoted dad, proud pa-pa.

Woodie loved. Really loved his friends. If you were fortunate enough to know him, to sit in his gallery surrounded by the beauty of his art, and the warmth of his smile, the happiness in his heart then you know that you were loved by him. Every single solitary time when I hear Dread sing the line "Ain't got nothing but love" I think of Woodie and of Dot.

Hardly anyone I know owns just one Woodie Long creation. If you met him and purchased a painting, you instantly became a collector...wanting more and more. The simplistic beauty of his art was only a half of the experience. We all wanted some of the joy, innocence, serenity that came from the artist. (I always wanted more black beans, brown rice and garden greens..all served up with a warm smile from his beautiful wife and life partner Dot that always accompanied a visit to the gallery)

Our girls have lost one of the most prominent figures in their childhood. Our son has lost an opportunity to know the way it feels to be loved by such a great man...and our community has lost one of the most beautiful and loving men to ever grace us.

In the end I hope that the angels that took him home were just like the ones he painted. Stark white against brilliant blue skies, smiling down, arms open full of hope for a better place.

 

[For The Health Of It]

South Walton (and the planet) has lost a good soul. What an incredible illustrator of the simple life. Woody and his incredible artwork will be missed. I will never forget the "gator's gonna get you" ... those that have lived here a while will understand that one! God bless Woody, his beautiful art and his wonderful life! My condolences to Dot and family.

Woodie and I talked a lot over the years about the "Gator's gonna get you" task. That was an interesting time and Woodie and Dot gave so much for that cause. They hung in there with us till the end. That was a true time where the whole community came together as one. Woodie was a huge part.

 

[Kurt]

Local folk artist Woodie Long dies at 66 | rosa, artist, santa - News - Northwest Florida Daily News

Local folk artist Woodie Long died Monday night. He would have turned 67 on Oct. 19. When Long first picked up a paintbrush in 1987, he was 45 years old and had never painted anything smaller than a house. He had no formal training.


The paintbrush belonged to his wife, Dot, a portrait painter who was out of the house taking a class at the local university. When she came home, Long had finished three paintings.


She saw something in them. So did her art professor, who offered to buy them for $30 each.


Long kept those first paintings, but had his first show three weeks later. He brought 38 paintings and sold all but two, taking home $1,800.


CLIICK HERE to see photos of Woodies' studio.


Thirteen years later, his work was hanging in more than a dozen museums across the country and he estimated that he had sold 10,000 paintings.


His wife never painted again. Instead, she is her husband's bookkeeper and the one who sets the prices. The works of this former housepainter have brightened the covers of more than 30 publications and even the simplest of his paintings sold for hundreds of dollars.
"People come in," he said in a 2000 interview with the Daily News, smile lines wandering back to his hair. "They say, ‘Your works are expensive.’ I say, ‘Have you bought a van Gogh lately?' "


Artist Curtis Weatherall remembered meeting Long three or four years ago. He found Long sitting in his studio singing and playing a piano.


“He was a character, a great guy,” Weatherall said. “And he will definitely be missed.”
Long was one of 12 children born to a Plant City, Fla., sharecropper. He could not read or write very well, since his father didn't believe in school.


"I'm nothin'," he said. "I'm just a housepainter. The good Lord touched my hands and made me an overnight success.


"That's why they're goin' to put me in jail. For impersonating an artist. But they ain't done it yet."

 

[Eileen West]

Woodie always said "I Love You" instead of Good-Bye.
I Love You Woodie.

 

[Bobby J]

Woodie always said "I Love You" instead of Good-Bye.
I Love You Woodie.

So true... Not many men are man enough to do that. I love you Woodie.

 

[MommaMia]

Watermelon friendship

About ten years ago, I was in Woodie's studio and saw this two dimensional piece -- a new form for him. I bought it as a birthday present to myself and smile everytime I walk past it. Thanks, Woodie, for creating art that will live on and continue to make people happy.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I never owned a "woodie," but everytime I saw one hanging in a friends house, it seemed to strike an emotion in me, not of jealousy for not having one myself, but of love for knowing Woodie, and the deep connections he made with people, many who also are my friends. I remember pedalling over to Woodie's place when I first moved to South Walton. We were neighbors, and I had heard about his art. I went over as a neighbor, but also with interest in seeing his art. The gallery was empty, so I wandered around looking and hoping to see my new neighbor (I was new, he was my neighbor.). I found Woodie out back, and introduced myself. Within two minutes, we were standing at the edge of his large garden, and he was giving me gardening tips for NW Florida, showing me his huge Okra plant, and talking about the winter greens which were next to be eaten. I'm not sure that we ended up looking at any of his art that day, at least what most of us think about as art. Woodie's true art was right there in his back yard -- a lush vegetable garden, and his love of nature, growth, and self-reliance. It was a true work of art.

Woodie, my friend, you took a little piece of each of us when you left, and you also will live a little longer in each of us whom you touched in your life. It has so much more to do with love and friendship than art, but your art will be a reminder of you, everytime we see a piece. Just two weeks ago, when driving through Andalusia, I smiled from ear to ear when I passed your gallery, after seeing the two murals on the outside. Your kindness and love will live forever.

 

[Bobby J]

I never owned a "woodie," but everytime I saw one hanging in a friends house, it seemed to strike an emotion in me, not of jealousy for not having one myself, but of love for knowing Woodie, and the deep connections he made with people, many who also are my friends. I remember pedalling over to Woodie's place when I first moved to South Walton. We were neighbors, and I had heard about his art. I went over as a neighbor, but also with interest in seeing his art. The gallery was empty, so I wandered around looking and hoping to see my new neighbor (I was new, he was my neighbor.). I found Woodie out back, and introduced myself. Within two minutes, we were standing at the edge of his large garden, and he was giving me gardening tips for NW Florida, showing me his huge Okra plant, and talking about the winter greens which were next to be eaten. I'm not sure that we ended up looking at any of his art that day, at least what most of us think about as art. Woodie's true art was right there in his back yard -- a lush vegetable garden, and his love of nature, growth, and self-reliance. It was a true work of art.

Woodie, my friend, you took a little piece of each of us when you left, and you also will live a little longer in each of us whom you touched in your life. It has so much more to do with love and friendship than art, but your art will be a reminder of you, everytime we see a piece. Just two weeks ago, when driving through Andalusia, I smiled from ear to ear when I passed your gallery, after seeing the two murals on the outside. Your kindness and love will live forever.

So true SJ. Back when I had Collaborations people would often come into my store and say they did not "get" Woodies art. My next question was always, have you ever met him? Every time their answer was, no. Once you had the pleasure of meeting this amazing man it all made sense. His work was colorful, simple, happy, and playful. These are all the things we lose as we grow older. Woodie still had that. That special something we all wanted a little piece of. Something that we all yearn for but we just don't really know what it is. I would often stop by when stressed out and Woodie and Dot would always bring me back to my senses. They made me relax and smile.
I remember the first time I visited his gallery. I was also trying to figure out his artwork. I carried it. I was not in love with it at this time. It sold so I wanted to carry more. Simple math for me. I began to wonder about this stuff and went for a visit to see if I could figure it out. Woodie was out back painting. I watched for a few moments and he looked up at me as he finished and smiled. He said it was magic. I could tell he was as proud of that painting as any he had ever done. His simple joy made it all come together for me. It was not the art it was the person. He put a little bit of Woodie in all of his art. A little bit of Woodie made you want some more. My hope today is that Woodie knows he impacted and changed the lives of many people. I am very fortunate to have known this man and have 10 plus pieces as a constant reminder of how I should live my life. Once again, Woodie thanks for the memories. As Beverly once said, it looks like heaven needed a paint job.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Bobby J, people like Woodie, who live each day to the fullest, with nothing but love to share with others, surely know the impact they have on others. That is why they do what they do. Lots of love makes the world go around, and I am talking about many kinds of love. Love for all creatures, great and small, and not just love of living things, but of experiences and relationships, whether it is a person with a new face, or a close family member. People who live each day to the fullest, consider every day to be a bonus day in their lives. From what I know about Woodie, every day was indeed a bonus, to be treasured and shared.

Lots of love to Dot, who probably misses Woodie more than all of the rest of us combined.