Bradford Naugler
Artist and home:
Bradford Naugler, 117 Hirtle Rd. Middlewood, Lunenburg County, between Bridgewater and Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Telephone: 902-543-5417.
Background and Occupation:
I worked in the woods as a young man and then a painter and laborer, and a Folk Artist for the last 30 years.
Art method and techniques:
I don’t think they have changed too much. I still do Fork Art the old way, dry your wood out doors, use a chainsaw to cut it out then use a carving knife to refine, and then paint it.
Artistic Recognition:
Bradford is the only Folk Artist who has attended all of the Folk Art Festivals. He was featured in the movie Folk Art Found Me. The TV show Harrowsmith County life, and the documentary “Bazart” at his shop and at the Festival.
He carved 10 government figures, Fathers of Confederation for the Confederation Centre of the Arts in P.E.I.
In 1989-1990 his Hen and chicks feeding were on tour with Canadian Cultural Heritage Exhibition in England.
His 6 foot carved Black Bear was donated to the Canadiana Foundation in Ottawa.
He was visited by her Excellency Madame Adrienne Clarkson, the Governor-General of Canada, and John Ralston Saul, along with Dr. Richard Goldbloom and Mrs. Ruth Goldbloom.
He was also featured in the show Land and Sea.
In 2005, he painted a 7 feet lobster, called (White sails and Tall Tales) .
In 2007, he painted a 7 feet Guardian of the Sea he called (Blue Sails and Fish Tails) for the Abilities Foundation in Halifax.
In 2009, he made four small Dolphins on Parade for the Abilities Foundation. Bradford presented the to Rear Admiral Paul Maddison, Honorary Chairperson Ron Joyce, Premier Rodney MacDonald and mayor Peter Kelly on May 11, 2009 at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, NS.
In 2009 Brad carved President Obama and family and they are on display at the Art Gallery of N.S. along with other carvings.
He also made a carving of Prince William and Kate, they are in the Art Gallery of N.S Gift shop along with other carvings.
Brad was on two of the Folk Art Posters. His carving of a rooster on #4 poster and for the 20th year he did a painting (Now & Then) about the Folk Art Festivals over 20 years.