My Story

My name is Mavis and I am a folk artist. Here is how it all happened…

I was born October 30th 1959 in Butler, Ga., but my first 9 years were spent in Americus, Ga. While living in Americus, several things came together to influence my life and make me an artist.

When I was 7, there was a Street Fair. So important was this event that the street was closed off. At this event was Eddie Martin, a folk artist, ahead of his time and an honest to goodness hippie. He wore his colorful dashiki, and I so wanted just to touch him. The next day, all the kids in school were talking about him and I wanted to be like him. And so I discovered my passion.

Soon after, my mother and her friend started knitting. They let me play with some scraps of yarn and I created a beautiful afghan. The adults were stunned that I had achieved this. It was during the time Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. So then I had my medium: yarn. One small stitch for a child, one giant leap into my future.

I knitted, crocheted, embroidered everything for everybody. Then when I was 15 my cousin suggested I sign up for a festival. People gave me money for my work. That was it… I had my career!

I feel I am called by a higher power to do what I do. My work has taken me places and introduced me to people that are beyond any dreams I could have ever had. I am humbled to live such a wonderful life.

My life has taken many geographical turns that have landed me in Buford, Ga. I am very proud to be a part of the arts community here.

I live in a magic cottage with my dog and a bird… and a whole lot of yarn just waiting to tell someone’s story!