Henry Faulkner (1924-1981)
Ever heard of Henry Faulkner? Poet and artist, Faulkner was born in Simpson County, Kentucky in 1924, lost his mother 2 years later, was thrust into the foster care system (especially in Clay County) and then landed in a Louisville orphanage at age 15 because his foster dad found him too effeminate; yet, through all of that, he survived. Eventually, he moved to Lexington where he lived near downtown. He kept chickens and goats, disturbing his neighbors. Alice was his favorite goat. Alice enjoyed Bourbon and would accompany Faulkner to parties, galleries, and bars. Faulkner was flamboyant, often cross-dressed on his bike ride through downtown. One time while on a taxi ride, he suddenly ordered the driver to stop, whereupon Faulkner jumped out of the cab and ran into a field of flowers while flinging off all his clothes. After a brief floral frolic, he returned to the taxi. Cousin of author William Faulkner, Faulkner was the lover of Tennessee Williams. He died when struck by a car on Broadway (Lexington).
A colorful dude, he even introduced himself to a Palm Beach art gallery owner by saying, “My name is Henry Faulkner, and I have the gift of color.”
Indeed, his paintings are full of vivid color. They attracted the attention of many celebrities. Betty Davis, Phyllis George, and Vincent Price (known not only for his acting but his critical eye for art) collected his work. He was a prolific painter. A Kentucky bank snapped up a collection of approximate 300 of his paintings.
-Jane Pickering
