Benny Carter (1943-2014) grew up in Madison, NC, surrounded by many relatives in a family-oriented, small-town culture where tobacco farming and Baptist religion were important. A 1962 graduate of Madison-Mayodan High School, he worked for many years as a supervisor at Halstead Metal Products, Inc., in Pine Hall, N.C.

Benny began painting in 1991 after he was laid off from his job. He soon made a name for himself in the national and international art world. His paintings, decorative birdhouses, clocks, totems, metal sculptures and other works are what some people call outsider art or folk art. Benny preferred the term self-taught artist.

His works ranged from finely detailed miniatures to large yard-art pieces. He often u...