The Blowing Rock Man… thats what we used to Call it. When me and Dad would door knock the base of the mountain we would find this twisted root folk art and the word “Blowing Rock, NC” is all it said. When we took it to the auction we yelled out… “another piece by the blowing rock man!” Thanks to LA Ryan’s hard work and discoveries, now we know the blowing rock mans name is Charles Dobbins. Hundreds of these folk art clocks, lamps, desk ornaments, and trinkets are out their waiting to be discovered. Most are signed Blowing Rock by either a stamp, or pencil scribed in cursive on the bottom. The first clock my dad picked from door knocking it was 6ft tall and over 2ft wide… he gave $100 for it and 2 days later it sold for $3,000! That’s when we woke up on the Blowing Rock Man! The first lamp in the photo I have seen 4 examples identical in form. The root obviously isn’t the same bend but the form and overall presentation is there. These are wonderful pieces of folk art from Blowing Rock NC sold to tourist as they entered the mountain. Blowing Rock Folk Art by Charles Dobbins. For some reason I always want to call him Richard Dobbins but I guess I can always remember he has the same first name as my Grandfather Charles Ledbetter. Did he ever go by Charlie Dobbins???
