L.T. Short Folkart and Fraktur
Paper
I am a self-taught artist inspired by the folk art traditions of rural Pennsylvania, specializing in hand-inked and painted fraktur and decorative furniture based on historic examples. My work reflects years of study and a deep appreciation for Pennsylvania German art, and I have been listed in Early American Life’s Directory of Traditional American Crafts since 2000.
I create reproduction representations of Fraktur drawings inspired by 18th- and early 19th-century Pennsylvania German reference materials. Each piece begins with a careful pencil sketch derived from period sources. I then outline and embellish the design using a traditional metal nib pen and India ink. For authenticity, I work on laid-finish paper that closely resembles early Fraktur examples, which I hand-antique to achieve an aged appearance. The finished drawings are painted with watercolors in keeping with historic techniques and materials.
The frames are an integral part of each work. They are handmade by a local cabinetmaker and purchased unpainted, allowing me to finish them using traditional 18th-century grain-painting techniques. This process involves applying a glaze over a base coat and manipulating it into wood-grain patterns using tools such as feathers, putty, torn paper, and other simple implements. I use two period-appropriate glaze methods: one made with vinegar and dry pigment, and another using oil paint. Some frames are further embellished with stenciling or hand-painting. Each frame requires a minimum of six layers to achieve the desired depth and character. Whenever possible, I use antique or reproduction glass to complete the presentation.
