James (Buddy ) Snipes , born in 1944 , is a black American from Alabama. With little education , he earned his living for years as a dishwasher , artisan and laborer . He lived and worked in the vicinity of his friends , John Henry Toney and Butch Anthony in eastern Alabama. His works include painted assemblages of wood, roots , tin and sticks. He painted mainly rural figures or fantasy characters, which are intended to stimulate the imagination of the viewer and gave them titles such as" Mermaid Fish", " Peanut Family" or "Snuff blackbirds". His works can be found in many collections , including the town hall of Pitt View, where they hang next to works by John Henry Toney and Butch Anthony .