afrodiaspores:

Elder Anderson Johnson (1915-1998), by Jim Linderman, author of the blog Dull Tool Dim Bulb, ca. 1993-1995

The son of a sharecropper, eight year old Anderson Johnson was at work hoeing his father’s cornfield when he was struck by a life changing “vision of angels.” Soon thereafter he began to preach and he “taught himself to sing and play music in a highly personal deeply passionate style.” Baptized by Bishop C.M. “Sweet Daddy” Grace, the young man became an attraction on the revival circuit. He also began to draw. In the 1950’s, Johnson broke with Grace and established his Faith Mission at 1224 Ivy Avenue in Newport News, Virginia, covering the walls and ceilings with visionary paintings.

In later years, Elder Johnson gained recognition as one of Virginia’s most prominent folk artists, famous for his portraits of big eyed women, cats, U.S. Presidents, and figures from the Bible…

…At the height of his popularity, Elder Johnson continued to conduct regular Sunday services, to pray and sing spiritual music for his visitors, and to lay his hands on the sick and afflicted. He did these things without the hope or expectation of material gain.