Remembering Woodie Long, 1942-2009.

To me, one of the most rewarding aspects of social media is its ability to shine a light on the often-overlooked corners of our world. In this vein, one of the projects I'm most proud of is the series of YouTube videos we created to feature Alabama's incredible artists and musicians.

Not to play favorites, but the person I always think of from that time is folk artist Woodie Long, who I'm sad to report died yesterday after a lengthy illness. He was 66.

After years as a house painter, Woodie accidentally discovered his ability relatively late in life while playing with his wife's art supplies. It's estimated he sold more than 10,000 paintings, often to celebrities ranging from Tommy Lee Jones to Bryant Gumbel.

Woodie might have been one of the most charming people I ever met. He had an innocent spirit but a strong confidence in his untrained talent. He also had an invaluable resource in his supportive wife, Dot, without whom he never could have had the freedom to devote his life to painting. My heart goes out to Dot and the rest of Woodie's family in this tough time.

In his memory, I've posted a few of our interview clips at the top and bottom of this post from The Year of Alabama Arts, in which Woodie was one of the state's featured artists (he split his time between southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle). I hope these clips at least give you a sense of what a fascinating person we all lost yesterday.