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by Arlene Wright-Corrrell 

Writing this column is not only fun it is truly educational. Every week I have the opportunity to learn something new and this week is no different when I went to interview local artist Donna Seymour.

A native of Barren County, Donna and her husband Randy returned here after working and living in Tennessee. They live in Upton and own and operate Roundstone Native Seed which is your local source for native warm season grass seed and prairie restoration services.

Donna is an artist of many, many talents and all of them done really very well. She is a watercolor artist, quilt maker, doll maker and a creator of the age old tradition of floor cloths.

When I asked Donna how she got started making floor cloths she said about 4 years ago she and a few friends got together to make some. When they were finished her friends ended making them and she has continued.

Donna says, "The use of painted canvas floor coverings, also known as "oyl cloths" dates as far back as the 14th century in Europe. When people came to this country they were looking for ways to reproduce some of the furnishings they were used to back home. Resources were limited, but worn sails from ships provided them with a base to paint and cover the floor with American primitive paintings which often depict subjects standing on boldly geometric floor cloths." This writer had heard of floor cloths and later learned that William Burnet, Governor of New York and Massachusetts during Colonial times, had floor cloths listed in his household inventory; and later, George Washington ordered floor cloths for his Mt. Vernon retirement home. Canvas was more readily available than other rug and carpet supplies, and the ease of cleaning made floor cloths particularly desirable. Placed over wide boards, the heavily painted canvases cut cold drafts from below, and were cool underfoot in summer.

Donna says, "Over time floor cloths proved themselves to be one of the most durable forms of floor covering used. Centuries-old pieces still remain intact, with the pattern clearly visible." Today, Donna’s floor cloths are made from the same 100% cotton heavyweight canvas (with a sewn hem and mitered corners). Environmentally-safe, water-based paints and finishes are used in place of yellowing varnishes and slow-drying paints of years ago. Each of her floor cloths is put through a series of steps to ensure a finished piece which will lie flat and maintain its shape, colors and finish for years to come. First she paints the canvas with Gesso to give it body, and then she paints her pictures on it. Finally, with 3 to 6 coats of extremely durable (yet still flexible) polyurethane protecting each painted piece, Donna’s floor cloths will stand up to the most demanding traffic- from children to dogs, heavy furniture to sloppy eaters. Her last step is to wax them with Johnson paste wax. She says, "Just damp mop with a mild cleanser and apply a floor wax to restore the finish from time to time." I learned that smaller pieces can be adhered to the floor with poster adhesive or double-sided carpet tape. Larger pieces can be unrolled and used without any particular installation." Donna teaches a workshop on making floor cloths.

Donna then showed me the magnificent dolls she makes. The faces and limbs are made of polymer clay, usually a brand called Scumpy. The faces start out as a ball of foil and then the polymer clay is laid over it and molded into a face that is usually personalized. The bodies are a wire frame and she makes all the clothes including the fur coats from clothing that her friends have given her over the years. She uses all natural fibers, leathers and furs. The hair and beards are mohair fibers. Her dolls can be special ordered and run in price from $150.00 to $350.00.each. She has been making them for about 15 years and they sell quite quickly.

Donna says, "As to my watercolor paintings, I am a self taught painter who usually works in my kitchen. I have taken some watercolor workshops through the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and I once took a basket making workshop at Arrowmount in Gatlinburg, TN."

Donna has the ability to weave memories into her work. This is quite evident in the handmade wall hangings she has made of her mother’s general store and one she made of when her 3 children were little and all used to pile into their parents big bed.

You can order a floor cloth or a handmade doll from Donna Seymour by calling 270 531 2353.

(Contact Arlene Wright-Correll at 270 524 9567 or email her at askarlene@scrtc.com  if you want to be next week’s column of Who’s Who in KY Art’s and Crafts©)