Remembering Artist L.V. Hull: A Legend in Her Own Time

In a guidebook for German tourists visiting Mississippi, her white frame house on Allen Street in Kosciusko was listed #2 just below Elvis’ birthplace. And for tourists and locals alike, she unashamedly relished her title: “L.V., the Unusual Artist”. From the brightly painted shoes of all shapes and sizes on sticks greeting you in her front yard to the jungle of one-of-a-kind objects inside -hubcaps, telephones, television sets, necklaces, and her bejeweled “plaquets” embellished with pithy sayings-that formed somewhat treacherous paths snaking through the dwelling (even more treacherous with space heaters in winter), L.V. held court. “Jesus is coming to Kosciusko, MS 39090”

My friendship with L.V. began so long ago that I can’t remember when I didn’t know her. And she had me pegged from the start. “Dr. Hartness, I got some new pieces you just gotta see (translation “buy”).” I can still hear her unmistakable laugh coming from those lips painted fire engine red. And she wasn’t one to mince words-or opinions. I was blessed to stay on her good side as far as I knew. “Nothing is Dirt Cheap Anymore”

L.V. was invited to exhibit her “unusual art” at Mississippi State alongside works by the chair of the art department and other artists. I always took it as a sign of our friendship-and her trust-that my wife and I were asked to coordinate her venture from selecting objects for the exhibit to transporting her there and back to setting up her display once we arrived.

Imagine our surprise on exiting the formal program in Lee Hall Auditorium to find that L.V. had sold almost all of her pieces to students captivated by her “unusual” talent. Can you say entrepreneurial? “Beware of the Half Truth…You may have got hold of the Wrong Half”

As President of the Kosciusko-Attala County Chamber of Commerce, it was my joy to honor L.V. with the President’s Medal of Honor at our annual banquet. Wearing a particularly festive outfit accented by that signature red lipstick, L.V. was seated at the head table next to our minister who had given the invocation. All of a sudden L.V. holds her twicebaked potato laden fork in the air and exclaims, “I don’t know what this is but I want some more of it!” “Face Powder may get a Man…Baking Powder will keep Him”

When fellow GAZETTE columnist Dr. Dwalia South was serving as MS State Medical Association President, she was scheduled to visit our component medical society meeting in Kosciusko. It occurred to me that an L.V. creation would be an ideal thank-you gift, and she was more than happy to accommodate.

Several days later, this message (along with those of patients) appeared on my desk: “Your package is ready. Bring me two pieces of Kentucky Fried Chicken and a biscuit.” Yes ma’am. “Sit Down…Shut Up…God Loves You”

At some point I decided that our grandchildren’s small yellow table and two chairs could use L.V.’s special touch, and she was more than happy to oblige with my request for “ G r a n d c h i l d r e n - W e Should’ve Had Them First” on the tabletop. It seemed that I hadn’t gotten home good that she was calling to say she was finished. The now one-of-a-kind table and chairs immediately caught my eye as I entered her house only to read “GRANDCHIL-DREN-WE SHOULD’VE HAD THEM FRIST”! Did I have her redo it? Not on your life! That just made it even more special. “The Straight and Narrow Path Has No Traffic Problems”

L.V. passed on to Glory in 2008. I’ll bet she’s conned Saint Peter into letting her paint those Pearly Gates her favorite cobalt blue. In 2023 the L.V. Hull Home and Studio was listed on America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Portions of L.V.’s environment saved by Friends of L.V. after her death will be on view at a new facility in Kosciusko called the L.V. Hull Legacy Center scheduled to open in 2026. Remembering Artist L. V. Hull: A LEGEND IN HER OWN TIME BY STANLEY HARTNESS, MD, GAZETTE NATCHEZ TRACE CORRESPONDENT THE KOSCIUSKO ARTIST L. V. HULL--- Called by many the “Unusual Artist,” L. V. Hull is highly regarded by an international audience for her original art and its creative use of language. This week, GAZETTE Natchez Trace Correspondent Stanley Hartness remembers his long friendship with her.