Helen La France (Kentucky, 1919-2020) oil on canvas (laid on board) country landscape depicting an active tornado scene, including a man driving a horse-drawn cart on a dirt road in the foreground trying to outrun the twister, figures to the left foreground entering an underground earthen dugout for shelter and a large black tornado in the background with a glimpse of its path of destruction and debris in the sky. Signed lower right. Housed in black painted wood frame. Sight: 17 5/8" H x 31 3/8" W. Framed: 18 3/4" H x 32 3/4" W. Biography: "Self-taught African American artist Helen LaFrance was born on a Kentucky farm and began painting in her 40s. She is known for her "memory paintings" drawn from her recollections of life growing up in the rural South. Several museums and private collectors, including Oprah Winfrey, own examples of her work." (Source: "Helen LaFrance Folk Art Memories" by Kathy Moses). Helen LaFrance died November 22, 2020 in a Mayfield, Kentucky nursing home at the age of 101.

Overall very good condition. Canvas has been wrapped and laid on board. A couple of very slight pinprick areas of paint void, paint imperfections.