These pages are dedicated to Corean Roberts, my Grandmother (1909-2000). The background of this web site is one of her works. From the 1950's to the 1970's, she painted landscapes, still life and a few other experimental works, using mostly oil on canvas, but a few with tile, wood, and watercolor.

Often, especially in her landscapes, a man is present, but rarely seen. His cabin, camp, boat, or cattle are seen, but the man is usually absent. One feels like they are standing next to a very lonely style of life. Growing up with her, I never felt lonely, but rather, I could see her loneliness: that of a small-town mother of 4, married to a man with two jobs and who is also a circuit pastor, gone every Sunday, every night, every year. Perhaps the man in her paintings is her husband, the late Rev. Arthur George "Pete" Roberts (1907-1996), or perhaps her small brother of long ago who died at age 5, probably in the 1918 flu pandemic.

Local country artist or undiscovered master? You be the judge.

The entire collection is privately owned by surviving members of the Roberts family.

Some of the works are titled and/or signed, most are not named but are signed. Some are named by where in the house they hung (a convenient convention because I remember the locations; I grew up in this house.)

It is estimated that over 150 paintings were created; at least 100 are accounted for. This small online collection of 24 works is presented here. More photos, and retakes with better quality, will be posted at a later date. The person holding some of the paintings is my sister, Mrs. Crystal Brown.

I find my grandmother's subtle and hard-boiled wit showing through in many of her paintings. Here and there, shadows are aligned "where she wanted 'em", humorous details float in soft surroundings, and water reflections are bent seemingly by will of perspective. She was a powerful and determined woman, and the force of her personality and sense of humor is everywhere in her work. Enjoy the gallery and please feel free to contact me (Jody Roberts) at astrojr1@tx.rr.com

Living Rm. Above Couch    Den above Divan             Front Bedroom        Camp 2
                                                                                                            (Bedroom)

Den Above TV Camp 2 Creek 1 Den Above Stove

                Lake 1                      Lake 2              More Light          Back of More Light
                                  (Living Rm. above Chair)

Mountain Morning       Rare Cows                 Waterfall 1                Ten Mile Hole
                                                                                                                                (Den Above Shelves)

TILE #1 TILE #2 TILE #3 6 TILES

    Back of Tiles                Waterfall 2          Back of Waterfall 2       Waterfall 3
(Living Rm, by door)

Winter Town Creek

Note: There is a painting signed "C. Roberts" which is NOT one of my grandmother's paintings. This same painting was painted several times. Many people have contacted me asking if this was painted by my Grandmother. I do not know this C. Roberts but it was not my Grandmother as far as I know. Her C's were different in the signature and it wasn't quite her style. Plus, we never saw one of them in the houses growing up. This is what the painting looks like: