Willie Massey was born in 1910 in Brown, Kentucky. He worked on the same farm for nearly 70 years from the age of 18 until he grew too old and ill with rheumatism. The land owner gave him a house in which he lived through out his adult life. He died in 1989 from complications from injuries received during a fire in his home. Massey started making folk art after his wife died in 1955. It grew from a way of keeping busy to a way of life, especially after he "retired". Massey constructed delightfull bird houses and other crudely sculptured art objects which he painted with bright colors. He also painted animals that closely resembled alligators, monkeys, lions and such, but had surreal charteristics. His bird houses and other objects while crudely made were charming and bright. He often used painted aluminum foil or wood and buttons to adorn the sculptures. Whether large, as some are three feet tall, or small his art is highly regarded and quite collectible folk art objects.

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