Alfred “Big Al” Taplet

Big Al Taplet first began painting old pieces of slate to advertise his Jackson Square shoe shine stand in New Orleans. Big Al would hang his signs on the fence and in the trees surrounding his stand to attract customers. His bold, colorful graphic signs with humorous sayings began to attract folk art collectors as well as the intended shoe shine customers. Big Al Taplet, along with his lighthearted creations, is listed in “Comtemporary American Folk Art, A Collector’s Guide” Rosenak and “Self-Taught, Outsider and Folk Art”, Betty-Carol Sellen.

Big Al is currently doing well and living in Texas - the following pieces are being offered on his behalf.

 

 

“Big Al's Professional Shoe Shines”
35 1/2" x 12"


This is Alfred's original shoe shine sign (paint on wood)- he hung it on Jackson Square each day when he "set up shop". It is pre-Katrina, very weathered, has a great look - also a great history !

$410

“A Dirty Shoe is a Miserable Shoe”
14" x 10.5"


Dated 2004

On Slate - Pre Katrina piece

SOLD

 

 

 

“Beignet and Coffee”
12" x 12"

Paint on wood

Post Katrina - 2007

$195

 

“Creanmy Red Beans and Rice”

10" x 10"
paint on slate

Not dated but definitely pre-Katrina

$170

“No Money No Grits”

10" x 7"

Paint on wood

Post Katrina

$75

 

"No Money No Beer”

5" x 10"

No date but pre-Katrina

Paint on slate

$75

“No Runny No Eggs"

12" x 7"

paint on slate
Dated 2000

Pre-Katrina

$115

"No Money No Eggs No Grits

10" x 10"

No date but pre-Katrina

Paint on slate

SOLD

"No Runny No Eggs"
14" x 10"
paint on slate
Dated 2004 this is a piece slavaged from his home in New Orleans after Katrina. The chipped right corner is storm damage.

$195

"Big Al's Boots"
16" x 12"
paint on slate
This is a pre-Katrina piece although it is

not dated

$195

"If You Touch This Art"
15 1/2" x 11 1/2"
paint on slate
Dated 2002

$195

“Walkin To New Orleans”
16" x 10"
paint on slate
This is a pre - Katrina piece - it is unsigned, but Big Al will sign it on the front or back for the buyer

$195

“For Your Valentine”
16" x 12"
paint on slate

an old pre-Katrina piece not dated

$195

“Oh Lord... ”
17" x 13"
paint on corrugated tin

Dated 2001

Double sided

SOLD

southern visionary folk art artwork works artworks artists artist gallery galleries online gallery southern visionary folk art artwork works artworks artists artist gallery galleries online gallery southern visionary folk art artwork works artworks artists artist gallery galleries online gallery southern visionary folk art artwork works artworks artists artist gallery galleries online gallery southern visionary folk art artwork works artworks artists artist gallery galleries online gallery folk art artwork works artworks artists artist gallery galleries online gallery tramp art haitian art pensacola florida images paintings mixed media buy view orderjimmie lee sudduth mose tolliver rudolph bostic big al taplet purvis young r.a. miller ra r a howard finster w.c. rice wc w c caludio tortorelli macon butch anthony buddy snipes chris calrk lonnie holley eric legge woddie long michael banks lamar sorrento ab the flagman reg k gee ruby c williams john cornbread anderson gazbo vic genero rufus clementine hunter todd shannon vilardi missionary mary proctor david kontra crsytal fuller kevin orth gloria mother smith z.b. armstrong zb z b annie tolliver kubra holley steve keene d finley