Acclaimed folk-artist returns to Warwick with fifth annual Trunk Show

WARWICK — On Saturday and Sunday, November 7-8, folk-artist Billy Jacobs returned to Warwick to celebrate his fifth annual Trunk Show and signing at Frazzleberries County Store on Main Street.

Jacobs, who lives in Navarre, Ohio, is best known for his extensive collection of watercolor landscape paintings depicting scenes of farms and homesteads throughout the American heartland.

The artist has enjoyed a long-standing friendship with Frazzleberries' founder Marybeth Schlichting, herself a self-taught folk artist and painter.

In 2009, after nearly 20 years of professional acquaintance, Schlichting suggested that Jacobs visit the Warwick area.

"He was instantly inspired by the town's beautiful farms and its 19th Century architecture," said Schlichting. "Billy spent a considerable amount of time during that visit and subsequent visits, taking photographs that he would later transform into rich watercolors from his Ohio studio."

Beginning in 2010, Jacobs would release a series of works that feature iconic Warwick locations such as the Buckbee and Wisner farms in Bellvale.

For the last five years, Frazzleberries has hosted Jacobs for an annual pre-holiday event.

"For over a decade, Billy has been at the forefront of American folk-art. His landscape paintings have an almost universal appeal to the small town in each of us," said Jerry Schlichting, general manager and partner. "We are honored that Billy has found the Warwick Valley so inspiring and we know how inspired our customers are by his work."

- Roger Gavan