Art, Artists and More Art

Another August Monday morning post on my goings-on.

When asked recently what was something I planned to do, I answered with seeing the Southwest Art Gallery in Dallas.  Well, I made it happen this past week.  Not once, but twice!

On Thursday, while in the area, I decided to check out the gallery.  I knew they were getting ready for a weekend art festival and true enough found things in a bit of disarray.  Paintings worth thousands of dollars were propped up against the walls and placed haphazardly around.  Some were in the process of being hung.

Every one was so friendly and welcomed my picture taking.  I knew that I would definitely be coming back on Sunday afternoon for the festival and art showing.  I particularly wanted to meet some of the artists.  And that I did.

Of course, my eye was drawn to the abstracts.

This friendly New Orleans native, Tony Saladino was so much fun to visit with.  He answered all of my questions and we even had a good visit remembering Houma, La. where we both had lived in 1967 and 1968.

The following pieces of art caught my eye when I first saw them and knew I wanted to meet their creator.  They are more in my style of painting.

Mark Whitmarsh is quite a character and is known as the "Texas Contemporary Art Pioneer."  The painting at the top is selling for $15,000 if interested.

I asked him about the piece where he is standing in this picture as it was wrapped in cellophane.  He told me it had been sold and was done in memory of a good friend who died several years ago because of alcoholism.  He said his friend had lived in a house with a large balcony overlooking the most beautiful spot in Colorado and yet that and all the treatment he had gone through had not been enough to defeat the demon of alcohol.  Therefore, there is both beauty and sadness in the painting.  It was titled "Water's Edge."

While I was taking his picture a couple standing near by informed us that it was their painting.  They had purchased it the day before and came back to meet the artist.  There is no telling what they paid for it because all his other works were selling for several thousands of dollars.  When I finally left the gallery, people were still taking pictures of the three of them with the painting.

 

There was not just paintings on exhibit.

I had seen this work on my first visit and found it so fascinating, so was thrilled when the artist was there on Sunday.

 

Paul Walden is such an interesting man and I probably spent the most amount of time with him.  He began painting classics and is a restorer of classic art work.  He began working at the gallery 52 years ago, and I realized he was the one hanging the art work a few days before.

His process is the most fascinating of all the artists I met because it is so different from the others and has been developed over time.  It is more of a removal after over applying.  He said an art piece is only complete when the eye of the beholder has found satisfaction and joy from seeing it.  I love that!

Seeing the works of George Kovach was my initial reason for wanting to visit the gallery.  I had found his section on my first visit and marveled at the detail of his West Texas scenes.

For some reason, this one caught and held my attention and I'm really not a western type person.  I guess, according to Paul's philosophy, the painting had become complete.  By the way, did you find the calf?

I found the real George Kovach painting a seascape in his little niche.  I had a good visit with both him and his wife.  His work is amazing.

Robert Fobear was painting a still life of two eagles when I saw him.  His wildlife paintings are almost like photographs with so much detail.  He is quoted as having said "I see God’s creativity in nature with a great sense of clarity and appreciation" and he desires that the viewer sees into the realm as well.

This one reminded me of my dear sweet friend Vicki who shares my love for Cardinals, so I sent her a picture.

Lynwood Bennett and his wife live in the Texas Hill Country and all of his amazing paintings are of that area.  You can almost hear the water rushing or flowing in each of them.

He was the sweetest man and I found him to be so delightful.  By the way, the small painting he had completed just earlier had already sold for $3,000.

I found Roberto Ugalde in a little corner painting a grove of Aspen.  I asked when was the last time he had actually seen an Aspen.  He laughed and said he spends a lot of time in Colorado and takes a lot of pictures.  So when he sees a photograph that speaks to him, he paints it.  His painting technique is very unique.

I couldn't believe the small pallets the artists there were using.  I obviously go overboard with mine which is probably a sign of a true amateur.

As I said, there is much more art in this one-of-a-kind art gallery than just paintings.

This room contains a large collection of some of gorgeous glass work.

The gallery features a different artist each month, so I will definitely be making at least a monthly trip down into Dallas and can't wait for next year's Annual Art Festival.

And should you be looking for an original piece of art, let me know and I'll be happy to shop for you.

In the meantime, I am inspired and will be getting out my easel in the days ahead.

It's All In The Family

Thank you Joyce for taking time out from your sweet family to give us some  family questions to ponder this week.

1. What's something you would say 'runs in your family'?

The travel bug

2. A book, song, tv show, or movie you love that is centered around family. 

I am still working my way through "Heartland," and it is all about family for sure.  In fact, an ever expanding one.  I'm not sure the way they deal with issues is to be emulated, but I am learning the art of being patient.

3. Family matters, family ties, family tree, family man, family fortune, black sheep of the family, family values, one big happy family...choose a 'family phrase' that applies to your life currently and explain. 

I am currently working on my mother's side of the family tree.  I learned there was erroneous information out on my grandfather that needed to be corrected.  That led to compiling an accurate historical picture of who he really was.  I used old newspaper clippings from as far back as 1909 and numerous others from the early 1900's as well as stories shared and passed down.  These paint a much different picture and one that truly tells the legacy of this man of faith, who died much too early.

4. Last thing you fixed for a big family dinner? If you're not the cook, last thing you were served at a big family dinner?

We don't have many big family dinners.  The last time we were with our daughter and her family, we had an assortment of salads.  This is an easy and delicious way to entertain. 

5. What are three words you would use to describe your family. 

Spending Eternity Together

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I attended the memorial service of my dear cousin Jackie last week.  It was such a sweet service and so very appropriate  for her.

We renewed our friendship several years ago and have remained in touch ever since, even though we lived a distance apart.

Jackie was known for her sweet nature and giving spirit.  One of the things the minister said about her was, "Jackie relished her role as a servant of Christ and her fellow man.  All of us were touched in some way by the generosity of her time, her love, and her talents."

I personally witnessed her servant heart, love, and generosity in many ways through the years, but especially when she offered to share her wedding dress with me exactly one year after her wedding.  That was nearly 57 and 56 anniversaries ago.

"So when tomorrow starts without me

Don't think we're far apart

For every time you think of me

I'm right here in your heart."

David M. Romano

We had Ava Grace for the weekend.

She informed us that her summer quest to find the best hamburger had been accomplished with this huge "Walk-On's" loaded burger.  And yes, she ate the whole thing!  She was even game for trying some fried alligator.  Love this girl!

Beauty Without and Around

It is a rainy Monday morning at my house right now, meaning I chose to not go to the pool, or the park, or the gym.  It also means I instead chose to spend the early morning in my sunless sunroom reading Bible devotions and other words of inspiration such as the following:

"Never lose an opportunity for seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting --- a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dick and I were blessed as we left our church last Sunday evening.  Truly, God's art work is always on display if we only take the time to look.

Our reason for being there at that time, was this young lady and her 350 + co-choir members.  They did the most amazing job in their end-of-choir-mission-trip concert for the church.  Truly, this performance was Broadway worthy.  The talent among these young people and their leaders is unbelievable.

Another beautiful blessing this week was seeing the faces of these two beauties enjoying the sunshine in Northern Indiana.  Mary-Elizabeth is heading back to Xavier University in Cincinnati to begin her Junior year in Nursing School.  Savannah is working remotely in her full-time HR position before moving to Indy this fall.  Nothing but bright futures ahead for these two granddaughters.

Now, have you seen happier faces than these?  A group of 14 ladies from our Life Group met at "Rise Soufflé Restaurant in Dallas for lunch last Friday.  They are some of the most delightful, friendly ladies and such a joy to be with.

Not to be left out, Margaret and I took our own selfie.

Of course the Spinach and Bread Pudding Soufflés deserve their own picture too.

On a totally different note, let me recommend this to you.

Since I have my own little herb garden, I added some fresh ground basil and parsley to some of this prepared pesto.  Delicious and can be used in so many ways, especially with chicken.

That's it for this NOW sunshiny Monday morning.  This afternoon will be fodder for another blog post.

Enjoy the rest of your day!