​Essie Ann Treat Ward (1902–1981), often hailed as the "Grandma Moses of the Ozarks," was a self-taught folk artist from Searcy County, Arkansas. Born on October 20, 1902, in the Nubbin Hill community, she began drawing during her youth and continued to create art throughout her life without formal training. In 1922, she married Jesse Ward, and together they managed a small farm near Marshall, Arkansas, raising seven children. Following a cancer diagnosis in 1959, Essie was advised to reduce her physical workload, prompting her to focus more intently on her art. ​

Ward's paintings vividly depict the everyday life and culture of the Ozarks, often featuring fictional characters like Miranda and Hezzakiah. Her work is characterized by its primitive style, capturing the humor and simplicity of rural life. In 1970, her talent was nationally recognized when she participated in the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. Today, her paintings are held in various public and private collections, serving as enduring representations of Ozark heritage and folk artistry.