Who painted this whirligig picture?

June 2, 2015 5:32 AM

This painting of a whirligig (with the sun behind it?) showed up in a Kid In the Hall episode a couple times. One of my friends saw it and recalled that her (now-deceased) Mom had once owned a print of it and she loved it. I'd love to find out who the artist is so I can track down another print for my friend as a wedding gift. Any idea of the artist? Many thanks!
posted by ktoad to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

This looks like the wicked witch in the opening scene of the Wizard of Oz.
posted by samthemander at 7:39 AM on June 2, 2015

Response by poster: Hmmm, that's an interesting take. I hadn't thought about it, but it could be a photo.
posted by ktoad at 7:47 AM on June 2, 2015

I also think it is a photo. Tried searching Google with a number of combinations but without luck. This will be a tough one...

If you cannot find the original, you could have an artist (e.g. from etsy) repaint it for you. The idea is definiutely sweet and it will be a very personal gift.
posted by Fallbala at 7:49 AM on June 2, 2015

According to this auction listing for the whirligig in the picture, the artist is Claus Hoie, although I couldn't find any link to the print itself.
posted by AzraelBrown at 9:03 AM on June 2, 2015 [1 favorite]

More information from this enormous XML file which doesn't actually have the image:

<row _address="http://communities.socrata.com/resource/kuyy-z4tz/928" _position="928" _uuid="86AD01A4-72A9-4E6D-AFC6-2A6147A8EA27" _id="928">
<id_number>1986.100.11</id_number>
<category>PRINTS</category>
<title>Whirligig</title>
<maker>Claus Hoie</maker>
<maker_bio>American (b. Norway), born 1911</maker_bio>
<culture>American</culture>
<date_made>1979</date_made>
<earliest_year>1979</earliest_year>
<latest_year>1979</latest_year>
<century>20th c.</century>
<materials>color lithograph on Arches paper, 24/300</materials>
<measurements>mat: 26 x 33 in.; 21 x 29 in.</measurements>
<description>Printed by Transworld Graphics.</description>
<legal_status>PERMANENT COLLECTION</legal_status>
</row>

Trying to track down Transworld Graphics might help you in your quest, too.
posted by AzraelBrown at 9:24 AM on June 2, 2015

I think AzraelBrown is probably right. I note a Google result for an expired ebay auction for "Claus Hoie Whirligig Bicycle Poster 1986 Folk Art" (no image, unfortunately, or even a cache that shows the original eBay seller).

This page mentions that "The Helen and Claus Hoie Charitable Foundation is based in East Hampton, NY," with contact information, [e-mail]. They would be the best ones to verify if it's his and if it's available anywhere, I imagine.

Also, the East Hampton Town Marine Museum has a permanent gallery, the "Claus Hoie Gallery of Whaling"; the link has a phone number you could try to see if they can help with any suggestions or contacts.

Good luck!
posted by taz at 12:47 AM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]