Helen LaFrance (Kentucky, b. 1919) oil on canvas painting depicting the interior of a bedroom in an African American home, with vivid floral wall paper and two large and colorful quilt-covered beds, one containing three boys, awake and the other containing two girls, asleep; a woman, presumably their mother, is visible ironing clothes through a doorway to the left, and a kitchen with an old fashioned oven can be seen through a doorway to the right. Signed lower right and housed in a simple wood frame. Sight - 17 1/2" H x 35 1/2" W. Framed - 21" H x 38 5/8" W. American, late 20th century. Biography: Self-taught African American artist Helen LaFrance was born on a Kentucky farm and began painting in her 40s. She is known for her "memory paintings", drawn from her recollections of life growing up in the rural South. Several museums and private collectors, including Oprah Winfrey, own examples of her work. Now 100 years old, she resides in a Kentucky nursing home. (source: "Helen LaFrance Folk Art Memories" by Kathy Moses). Alternate spelling: Helen La France. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)