The Texas Artist - A New Painting Every Week

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Heavenly Sunlight - Mission San Jose’

6″ x 8″ oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

On a trip to San Antonio some years ago we made it a point to follow the Mission Trail, not only to search for subject materials for future paintings, but to relive some of the history of our state. After our visit to Mission San Jose’, as we were standing in the parking lot, I looked back and saw the profile of this wonderful old historical church. It was broad daylight and there was all kinds of stuff going on in the foreground including a tour bus and people everywhere. But the profile was what caught my eye. This is not the image I actually saw that day, but it is the image I saw in my mind and in my heart. I hope you enjoy it.

The Downtown Nocona Christmas Celebration was a great success. The weather was great and many folks showed up to enjoy the evening. I sincerely appreciate all who viewed and made purchases of my art and subscribed to my “Postcards.” Your support and encouragement makes what I do all the more enjoyable and worthwhile.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

A Face in the Crowd

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

Did you ever get the feeling that, though everyone else was focused on the task at hand, you had your mind on something else? I’m often guilty. I thought this image captured my feelings pretty well. I think that may be the blessing (and perhaps the curse) of having an artist’s brain. We see lines, shapes, colors, textures, composition, patterns, feelings, and a story, and we simply have to convey this to the rest of the world in one form or another.

A Face in the Crowd was painted from a photograph that I took a few years ago while visiting a piece of property owned by my late friend, Ron Lilley. He had invited me out to try to get some pictures of wild turkeys. We saw the turkeys, but we never got as close to them as we did to the cattle. When that white face looked up, I clicked the shutter.

(Weather permitting) Friday evening Dec. 7 I will have my art booth set up in downtown Nocona for the Christmas Celebration.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Texas - America

6″ X 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

I was listening to a talk show one day about various radical elements in our country talking about their states seceding from the United States. I’m sure its crossed the mind of many Texans on occasion to wonder just what if. Remember the “nutty professor” who holed up out in the Big Bend area a few years ago? Then it struck me just how great our country is because of Texas and just how great Texas is because of great folks from all over the world who have come to call Texas their home.

This small painting is a study for the possibility of painting a wall size one somewhere down the road. It will still be a one of a kind as no two originals can really ever be painted exactly alike (at least by me!).

Dec. 7 (weather permitting) I will have my art booth set up at the downtown Nocona Christmas celebration.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Yes, I agree. The armadillos have gotten out of hand! I hope you can appreciate the humor, even if the art is a little suspect. :-{) If you are familiar with the children’s song that includes the line “red and yellow, black and white” you may be able to appreciate this image even more.

Next outing: (if the weather permits) Dec. 7 Christmas celebration downtown Nocona

Other shows for next year are in the application process and will be announced at the appropriate time.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Inspired by the phenomenon that we lovingly call NASCAR . . . need I say more? If you love racing, whether cars or armadillos, you probably have your favorite. In this case “Lone Star” pulls ahead of the pack just in the nick of time to cross the finish line first. No, I don’t think there will be a “Lone Star, Junior.” (But who knows?)

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

As a “non-dipper” I had mixed feelings about painting this picture. But you will have to admit, it is a pretty familiar Texas icon that lends itself to a certain amount of conversation. I have noticed in most of the jeans I wear, the back pocket wears out first. I have a wallet imprint on most of my jeans . . . then the fabric begins to fray. All of a sudden, my once good jeans become one more pair of “paint jeans.” When you see me wearing jeans with the back pocket worn out, you’ll probably see paint drips on them, as well.

The Breckenridge Fine Art Center’s exhibit “A Load of Texas . . . and Then Some” featuring Billy Joe Jay, Thaw Malin III, and Larry G. Lemons continues through Nov. 21.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Armadillo Production

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

A nostalgic look at the past, this small painting is inspired by the oil businesses in and around our part of the country. Over the years, fortunes have been made and lost in the oil patch. Lately, it looks like some are being made. An old truck like this has probably hauled many a hand and maybe even the boss. Hope you enjoy this image.

When you read this, I will have just returned from the Huffhines Art Trails two day show in Richardson. Let’s hope there was a fortune made (rather than lost) in the “art patch” over the last two days. lol

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Texas Jack (or Jenny?)

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

This small painting is from a photograph that I took while traveling to an art show a few years ago. I came upon a corral full of donkeys who were all willing to pose for me. I believe they are beautiful animals in a curious sort of way. I added the star in keeping with my Texas theme. Hey, it could happen! Did you ever see the Mickey Mouse outline on the side of the cow at Disney World?

The three artist show is still going on at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center. Hope you get a chance to visit it, if you’re in the neighborhood.

I spent a big part of Saturday as a volunteer face painter on the square at the Fall Festival in Saint Jo. No, it’s not exactly what I had in mind when I decided I wanted to become an artist, but it sure seems to make little kids happy. I think it helps them see that artists are real people, too. I also had an all too short visit with nationally noted cowgirl artist, Donna Howell-Sickles, who is a resident of Saint Jo.

Next outing: Oct. 27, 28 - Huffhines Art Trails at Huffhines Park in Richardson

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Texas Guitar

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

This painting is a small tribute to Texas music. I suppose almost any kind of music that you might enjoy can be heard somewhere in Texas. You probably won’t find it that hard to believe that I was in a couple of rock and roll bands when I was in high school. In 1969, between our sophomore and junior years, two of my friends and I even rode a Trailways bus from Nocona to attend the three day long Denver Pop Festival in Denver, Colorado, two months before Woodstock. Fortunately, my musical tastes have mellowed a little since then.

Just a few hours ago, Donna and I just returned from the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center. Van Moore and his faithful volunteers had a wonderful reception to honor our exhibit along with fellow artists Billy Joe Jay and Thaw Malin III. If you get a chance to visit Breckenridge, be sure to stop by the art center at 207 N. Breckenridge Ave. Hours are Tues.-Fri. 10:00 - 5:00 and Sat. 10:00 - 3:00. The show will be up through Nov. 21. There is no admission charge.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Gridiron Rivalry

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

If this doesn’t make you smile, at least a little bit, then you’ve missed the point of most of my art. I began thinking about this painting about a week ago anticipating the upcoming UT-OU game. Yesterday’s outcome reminded me of just how unimportant the outcome of the score really is in the scheme of life. Sure, there’s a lot of school pride and state pride on the line, at least for a few hours pre and post game. But in the end, friends and family who may be cheering for opposing teams will still be friends and family. If they are not, then they are way too serious about something over which they have absolutely no control. These armadillos could represent whomever or whatever you wish. We all have our battles to fight, our rivals, our enemies which we must face head on if we are ever to overcome them.

May I personally invite you to attend an artist reception at the Breckenridge Fine Art Center in Breckenridge, Texas, Sunday afternoon, October 14. The art of Billy Joe Jay of Sweetwater, Thaw Malin III of Cresson and Martha’s Vineyard, and Larry G. Lemons of Nocona will be on exhibit from Oct. 14 through Nov. 21. Billy Joe Jay and Larry G. Lemons will be in attendance at the reception.