The Texas Artist - A New Painting Every Week

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

This original painting is from a photograph that I took a few years ago of the old church that use to stand at Bulcher, north of Saint Jo. The first time I remember seeing it was about 35 years ago when my friend Spuds Carver and I were out exploring the area on our new Hondas (no, not Harleys) and it was in pretty bad shape back then. Olivia and I were out driving a few months ago and we couldn’t find it. It has apparently been demolished or simply fell in where we couldn’t see it from the road. Even in its state of rustic decay, I still thought that there was a sense of beauty in its design and probably many stories to be told of how the gospel was once proclaimed from its old wooden pulpit.

Upcoming shows:

Oct. 14 - Nov. 21 Breckenridge Fine Arts Center - “A Load of Texas . . . and Then Some

(You are invited to the artist reception Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, to visit and get an early preview of

of the art. I will be showing with my Southwestern artist friend Billy Joe Jay from Sweetwater, Texas.

Call the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center to confirm times at 1-254-559-6602

Oct. 27 - 28 Huffhines Art Trails - Richardson, Texas

Dear Reader,

This week’s post probably should be called “Postcards from Georgia.” The last week has been a whirlwind for my family. With an all day art show in Sherman last Saturday and a two day outdoor art show in Wichita Falls yesterday and today, we also managed to squeeze in a quick 2 1/2 day trip back to Georgia for an artist reception for my exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville. It was splendid.

The folks at the Booth are extraordinary. I owe a ton of thanks to Laura and Nikki and Jeff for making my exhibit come together in such an attractive and professional manner. The reception was outstanding. If I never get another opportunity to exhibit my work on such a high level again, at least I can proudly say that I exhibited 19 of my original paintings at the Booth. You might say it was a dream come true. If you are EVER near Cartersville (a short distance north of Atlanta) you owe it to yourself to visit this world class western art museum. www.boothmuseum.org.

Thanks to all of you who have visited our recent art exhibits at Sherman and Wichita Falls, made purchases and been willing to share your e-mail addresses with us. We never share them with anyone else.

Thanks for all your comments on the “postcards” and for the generous offers. It is my desire that you will enjoy them now and they would be worth the money you pay for them and of even greater value in years to come.

Happy Trails,

Larry G. Lemons

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

The Colors of Texas

6″ x 8″ original oil painting on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

Over the last few years, I have painted many Texas flags and several longhorn skulls, but I thought I would try a different approach to this painting. As you can see, the colors are on top of the skull, instead of the skull being on top of the colors. It’s just one of those things that came to mind and I had to express it. Hope you enjoy it.

Wednesday of this week, Donna, Olivia, and I will be flying to Georgia for the long anticipated artist reception to recognize our exhibit at the Booth Western Art Museum (www.boothmuseum.org). This has been 18 months in the making and we’re pretty excited. Nationally known abstract western artist Carrie Fell will be honored, as well. I am humbled at the opportunity to be a part of this reception with such a creative and successful artist. I can’t say enough good about the folks at the Booth, who have been so helpful and accommodating to make my show a success.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

TX Mail

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

Occasionally, I see a mailbox similar to this one as we are traveling around the state. What other folks would paint a mailbox with their state flag? Only in Texas. This one probably contains a letter from Publisher’s Clearinghouse or a pre-approved credit card from Capital One.

Upcoming shows: Sept. 15 - Sherman Art Fair on the courthouse lawn

Sept. 20 - Artist reception Booth Museum Cartersville GA

Sept. 22, 23 - Art Affair on Kemp Square - 1300 Lamar - Wichita Falls

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Private

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

This week’s original painting was inspired by a pencil sketch that I did some years ago. I suppose I have always been fascinated with the door as a metaphor for what’s between us and the unknown. Some doors are easy to walk through because we know what’s on the other side. Some are more difficult because of the uncertainty beyond and the fear of failure, while others probably should be left alone. Anyway, this is my Texas version.

Geronimo - Apache Medicine Man

First painting from my “Legends and Heroes” series

18″ x 24″ original oil on canvas - $775 framed

(Price on this original will increase to $850 on Jan. 1, 2008)

18″ x 24″ signed and numbered limited edition - $129

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

Remember the small brown tone “Boot and Bouquet” painting from a few weeks ago? I asked for your feedback to see what you thought about it and I listened to your input. From this, I have begun a major series of original oils that I will call “Legends and Heroes” using mostly raw umber and white paint with a few strategically placed spots of color for added interest. I expect to paint 15 to 20 different subjects within the next 12 months. This is a far cry from the colorful Texas paintings that I have been identified with for the past few years. In no way have I given up on these and will continue to do them, as well. However, I wanted to challenge myself to improve my painting skills by relying more on drawing and shading and relying less on splashy colors to produce my work. I believe that with this self imposed “restricted palette” I will become a better artist resulting in higher quality and value to all of my work.

Col. David Crockett is already in the works. If you have any suggestions on legends and heroes that I have not already thought of, please feel free to share them with me. With only a few possible exceptions, I am looking for deceased folks whose present persona is greater now than when they were alive and who have a Texas connection.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week

Texas Rest Stop

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

Sometimes ideas just come to mind that I can’t resist. I probably should, but I don’t. There is something almost surreal about this image. Is it three dimensional or two dimensional? It may be both. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the “potty humor.” It might make a nice addition to your bathroom, or as I like to think of it as “the study.”

Look for a feature about my “Postcards from Texas” in the upcoming September issue of Texoma Living! magazine published in the Sherman/Denison area.

A word about my weekly original paintings:

Each painting that is sold must be dry to the touch before it is sent out. That can often take a week or more. Even then, the paint is not fully cured. If you receive your painting wrapped in bubble wrap, that is only for protection during shipping. You should unwrap it so more air reaches it and it has time to cure. In my research I found that art museum conservationists believe that it takes an oil painting 60 to 80 years to completely dry where all the molecular bonding of paint pigments takes place. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait that long to enjoy them.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Lily

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

The great thing about doing these postcard paintings is that it gives me an opportunity to try some things that maybe I have never done before (even if every other artist in the world has). This lily was growing across the street from Legend Bank in Nocona. Now every time I see a lily I think of our precious granddaughter, Lillian Dawn, who paid us a visit this past Wednesday. It was her first trip to Nocona. In addition to inviting friends and family over to the house to see her, we made sure she got to go to Tres Ninos and the Dairy Queen to get maximum exposure! Happy four months birthday, Lilly. Granddad loves you.

Did you catch today’s (Sunday) Wichita Falls Times and Record News? Lana Sweeten-Shults wrote a very flattering article about my art entitled “Colors of Texas.” Thank you Lana for such a nice article. You may be able to find it on line at www.trnonline.com in the arts and entertainment section.

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Evening Run

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

This is just a fun image that combines elements of some of my early Texas Wild Thangs series . . . purely an artistic impression of a truly unusual little bird. If you look closely you will see a little bit of O’Keefe, Nieto, and Lemons in this work (maybe even a little bit of Warner Brothers!). It’s a one of a kind. No prints are made from the Postcard images.

We just returned from the Salado Art Fair. Thanks to all who visited our booth and signed our guestbook.

Look for features about my art in Texoma Living! magazine September issue (Sherman-Denison area) and in the Wichita Falls Times and Record News within the next few weeks.

Next outings: Sept. 15 (our 34th wedding anniversary!) Sherman Art Fair

Sept. 20 artist reception Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville, Georgia

Sept. 22 - 23 Art Affair on the Square, Wichita Falls

Postcards from Texas(A Painting A Week)

Trees West of Blue Mound - Montague County

6″ x 8″ original oil on canvas panel

Larry G. Lemons - Copyright 2007

This scene has always fascinated me and is probably familiar to most local folks who have traveled between Nocona and Saint Jo. At first glance you think there are only five trees, but count the tree trunks. There are actually six.

Thanks to the many who commented on the brown tone “Boot and Bouquet” painting last week. Some liked it the way it was, but quite a number suggested some selective color somewhere in the image to add a stronger focal point and increase interest. The favorable comments have boosted my enthusiasm for pursuing this style of painting for a number of larger works to be produced over the next year. I sincerely appreciate the comments and suggestions.

Show Reminders: July 31 - Sept 23 Booth Western Art Museum Borderlands Gallery - one artist show

www.boothmuseum.org

August 4-5 - Salado Art Fair

September 15 - Sherman Art Fair

September 22-23 - Art Affair on Kemp Square - Wichita Falls