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Minnie Evans: Draw or Die

Minnie Evans: Draw or Die explores the inspirational life and artistic mastery of one of the most important African-American artists of the 20th century.

Minnie Evans began drawing in 1935, compelled by dreams and later by a voice that urged her to “draw or die.” Despite her work being held in private collections throughout the USA and in major art museums, she remains under-recognized as one of the most significant self-taught American artists of the 20th century.

This documentary amplifies Evans’s unique voice through archived conversations with her friend, photographer, and art representative, Nina Howell Starr. In these recordings, Evans reflects on her divine purpose and the unrelenting drive that led her to create an estimated 3,000 works—using crayon and other media on found and donated materials. Much of her art was produced in the small gatehouse at Airlie Gardens, where she worked for 27 years.

Visually anchored in Evans’s vibrant compositions, the film weaves together archival imagery, Nina Starr’s photography, and sweeping views of the sunrises and coastal landscapes that inspired her.

  • LINDA ROYAL
    Director
    STRAWS, Bringing It Home, Love Lived on Death Row, Millworker the Documentary
  • LINDA ROYAL
    Producer
    STRAWS, Bringing It Home, Love Lived on Death Row, Millworker the Documentary
  • Beverly Evans
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Wayne Evans
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Norris Evans
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Elizabeth Penton
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Wendy Williams
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Nathan Kernan
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Bertha Boykin Todd
    Key Cast
    "self"
  • Agnes Gund
    Executive Producer
    Paint Me a Road Out of Here
  • Olympia Stone
    Co-Producer
    Always Looking: Titus Brooks Heagins, Aldwyth: Fully Assembled, Actually Iconic: Richard Estes
  • Blaire Johnson
    Cinematographer
    Burden, A Chef's Life, The Future of America's Past
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    56 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 8, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    150,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - LINDA ROYAL

Linda Royal (fka Linda Booker) directed, produced, and edited the film festival award-winning documentaries “STRAWS,” with narration by Tim Robbins, “Bringing It Home,” and “Love Lived on Death Row.” Her films have reached audiences worldwide through film festivals, educational distribution, community screenings, corporate offices, and in-flight entertainment. She has partnered with numerous organizations for grassroots advocacy and impact campaigns. Linda was the Director of Operations for the Sonoma International Film Festival in 2015-2016. She started By the Brook Productions after receiving a Certificate in Documentary Studies from Duke University in 2005. Before filmmaking, Linda was an Art Director and graphic designer for numerous publications in Florida and North Carolina.

STRAWS awards received:
• Santa Cruz Film Festival, Spirit of Action Award
• Cayman International Film Festival, Outstanding Achievement Award in Environmental Film
• Rincon International Film Festival, Best Documentary Short

Bringing It Home awards received:
• Jury Award, Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival
• Director's Choice Award- Best Environmental Film, Sedona International Film Festival
Best Environmental Documentary Award
• Chagrin Documentary Film Festival - Honorable Mention

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A 1991 Arts Magazine article described Minnie Evans’ artistic vision as “a prayer in praise of the power of love, the beauty of our own hearts, and the wonder of life.” I thought about that phrase often during the 3 1/2 years of production on this film. There’s something very mysterious and powerful about Minnie Evans, and I think we all need something uplifting and inspirational during these disruptive and divisive times.

I discovered Minnie Evans (1892-1987) and her work seven years ago, when my husband and I married at Co-Producer Liz Penton’s home in Wilmington, NC. While I got dressed and ready for my big day, I took in the art on the walls that showcased a myriad of subjects: angels, rainbows, and devils, to name a few. I wanted to learn more, and I got the chance when Cameron Art Museum screened "The Angel That Stands By Me" (1983), which is part of a series on contemporary folk artists by Light-Saraf Films. After that, I thought Minnie Evans deserved to have another film made about her so her art can reach new audiences.

Today, Evans's paintings and drawings are in the permanent collections of prominent art museums across the USA, yet she's not widely recognized. Female artists do not get the same recognition as their male counterparts, especially African American women from the South. Hopefully, sharing this film with film festival audiences will change that.

I am honored to be trusted by Minnie’s descendants to tell her story and proud of the nearly all-female film team and diverse crew that helped bring so much beauty and talent to the scenes and interviews we filmed in New York City, Washington, D.C. and North Carolina.