Artist Weymon Miller
Weymon Miller was a lifelong resident of Greene County who wove baskets, chair backs and seats until well into his 90‘s. He was proud that he made his own splints for the baskets. He formed each basket from the ribs to the rim. Not too long after his wife Hattie reported that he “took to his bed,” he departed this life leaving a beautiful legacy worthy of the finest artisan.
My granddaddy learnt me most of how this will do. When I was a boy, about fifteen years old, my granddaddy live with us. He made mule collars, baskets and bottom chairs. I didn’t have nothing else to do, so I set around and look at him. I looked at him till I learnt. I wish I could learn somebody else, but they don’t pay it no ‘tention.
Been fooling around with it about forty years. Done got tired of it, but I want somebody jus to learn. I don’t want to put it down and nobody not just learn it.”
First you got to do the splits. You take a piece, affixing to get the split, and get a little cut with your knife or edge and you go from there. I curl a little down with the knife until I get the split and then do it—split the oak—white oak. Got to be smooth bark. Rough bark won’t do no good. Rough bark brickly. Smooth bark you can work most any way you want it.
My granddaddy learnt me most of how this will do. When I was a boy, about fifteen years old, my granddaddy live with us. He made mule collars, baskets and bottom chairs. I didn’t have nothing else to do, so I set around and look at him. I looked at him till I learnt. I wish I could learn somebody else, but they don’t pay it no ‘tention.
Been fooling around with it about forty years. Done got tired of it, but I want somebody jus to learn. I don’t want to put it down and nobody not just learn it.”
First you got to do the splits. You take a piece, affixing to get the split, and get a little cut with your knife or edge and you go from there. I curl a little down with the knife until I get the split and then do it—split the oak—white oak. Got to be smooth bark. Rough bark won’t do no good. Rough bark brickly. Smooth bark you can work most any way you want it.