This is a gripping tale of love & redemption, mystery & magic, set mid-twentieth century (’50s-70’s) on the West Texas high plains:
During a brutal dust storm, Corky Braun, a young cowboy, discovers a mysterious naked woman in an old farmworker’s church. With no recollection of her past, Corky gives her the name Mari and a new home and family in the Texas Panhandle.
“There will be no more sadness.”
But tragedy strikes when Mari disappears during a mysterious tornado at the local Starlite Lounge dance hall. When Corky unjustly blames his longtime best friend Luc West, Luc leaves his hometown of Nazareth, Texas, vowing to never return. For years Luc seeks refuge from the tragedy through hard-living and hustling oilfield pipe.
However, fate has other plans for Luc, when years later he finds himself back in Nazareth and forced by his own behavior to confront his past and clean up the ruins of the old Starlite Lounge dance hall, where Mari had disappeared. While doing so, he befriends Mari’s now-teenage daughter Annabelle, and Annabelle’s caretaker Rosa Santiago, and he learns some lessons from his old mentor Leroy Littlefield.
But when a handsome new preacher Paul Daniels arrives in town and sets his sights on Annabelle, Luc must choose whether to run from his past once again or risk everything to protect her.
The Devil’s Mare is a hilarious, horrifying, and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and second chances on the Texas High Plains .
Cowboys, Curanderas, & UFOs…
“This story is like if the Coen Brothers met Taylor Sheridan in The Twilight Zone.”
REVIEWS:
“I was raised around people like those in this story – hardened, hard-drinking folks, surrounded by religious nuts that want to corner you at the grocery store. But the twists and turns that followed made for real a page-turner! ‘Unexpected’ might be a good way to put it. I didn’t expect a flying saucer and a Devil! Luc reminds me of Paul Newman in Hud. I give it FIVE STARS… GREAT JOB!” –Cary Swinney, Texas singer/songwriter
“Vivid Imagery, well rounded characters…true to life dialogue. Tone of the time period is clear as a bell!” – Kenneth Wayne Bradley, Actor
“A very well done piece of Texana, the likes of which I cannot recall ever seeing before on film” –David Muñoz, Writer/Poet
New original music inspired by “The Devil’s Mare” screenplay:
The Art Gathering with artist Christopher J. Oglesby and musicians Hannah Jackson and Kenny Maines – May 26, 2022
About this event: Food, drink, art and music as you take in the stunning hill country views & captivating luxury venue that is Music Hill.
You’re cordially invited to our Texas Sized House Party!
Thursday, May 26, 2022 ; 6 pm til 10 pm
Meet featured Texas artist, Christopher J. Oglesby, as he showcases several art collections:
• Nostalgic Austin: “Austin As it Used to Be”
• Artists in Motion: “Local Celebrities Doing What They Love,” “Badass Women,” “Motion Picture as Mythology” (includes Linklater-inspired collections — Dazed & Confused scenes, Slacker Series, etc.) and other memorable scenes from TV and movies.
• “Paint Local” Still Life: Local food, drink, musical instruments and paintings of other artworks in situ
• Up Close & Personal: Conceptual dream paintings and self-portraits.
—Cocktails sponsored by Still Austin Whiskey, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Dulce Vida, Infamous Brewing + BOXT wine bar
—Raffle tickets for multiple surprise giveaways, including a personalized 16×20 commissioned painting, a signed “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air” book by author-artist, Christopher Oglesby & 2 passes to the Lake Travis Film Festival
Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs
Watch Lubbock Symphony Orchestra directed by Maestro David Cho with guest vocalist Hannah Jackson perform the fantastic DEBUT of “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs” composed by D.J. Sparr, lyrics by D.J. Sparr and Christopher J. Oglesby, inspired by the book by Christopher J. Oglesby. (video time-stamp will begin at 46:50/2:50:15)
This new symphonic performance, our “Ode to Love and Happiness“, is followed by Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, his glorious “Ode to Joy.”
press & photos (including lyrics & program notes)
News video – “Lubbock Symphony Orchestra opens 75th season inspired by Christopher J.Oglesby’s book” : KCBD News Story by Kase Wilbanks
After-part Grey Edges photo by Alicia V. Hernandez
After-part Grey Edges photo by Alicia V. Hernandez
After-part Grey Edges photo by Alicia V. Hernandez
After-part Grey Edges photo by Alicia V. Hernandez
After-part Grey Edges photo by Alicia V. Hernandez
photo credit D.J. Sparr
Educational Video
I am very thrilled that our music is part of this first-ever public educational video for elementary school students in Lubbock and beyond. Learn & enjoy!
Nov 5, 2021 – Lubbock First Friday Art Trail 20 original paintings:“West Texas Musicians & Artists.”* by artist & author Christopher J. Oglesby
Hosted by Grey Edges Studio & Gallery, operated by Lubbock artist & professor Kelly Reyna;
a new dynamic force in the growing downtown Lubbock art scene, 1614 Mac Davis Lane.
Christopher J. Oglesby’s brief artwork exhibit at Grey Edges Studio & Gallery (Nov 5-13) is in connection with the November 12th debut of a new symphony “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs,”composed by Grammy winning guitarist D.J. Sparr, lyrics co-written by Christopher J. Oglesby, which is inspired by the book authored by Oglesby. “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: Legends of West Texas Music“ about the struggles and successes of 25 artists and musicians from Lubbock and environs. The theme of the art exhibit is “West Texas Musicians & Artists.”
Artist & Composer Reception Friday November 12, 2021; 9:30pm til midnight.. Grey Edges, 1614 Mac Davis Lane
Christopher J. Oglesby, D.J. Sparr, Kelly Reyna, and Larry Simmons welcome all Lubbock musicians, artists, their spouses, friends, fans, and any various hangers-on to celebrate West Texas Music & Art with us at Grey Edges Studio & Gallery. 1614 Mac Davis Lane.
After the symphony debut, 9:30’ish/10:00 pm ’til midnight
Friday November 12, 2021
Limited numbered signed concert posters available at the reception; signed books, art, PLUS FREE Food, & LIBATIONS.
*Special thanks to Larry Simmons & his wife Heidi, founder & manager of the Downtown Farmers Market. Larry is one of the most important, hard-working, and perhaps under-recognized figures in the Lubbock art scene, a true rock star. – cjo
Lubbock Symphony Orchestra opens 75th season with original composition inspired by Christopher J. Oglesby’s book
When Lubbock native/Austin artist Christopher J. Oglesby wrote his award-winning book “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: Legends of West Texas Music,” he knew he had something special on his hands. After all, Oglesby knew the influences West Texans like Buddy Holly, Mac Davis, and Lloyd Maines had and continue to have on contemporary rock music around the world.
Little did Oglesby know that 15 years later, that labor of love about the magical West Texas music scene would inspire a musical composition of its very own: “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs,” composed by Grammy winner D. J. Sparr.
“Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air” by C.J. Oglesby
Sparr and Oglesby’s symphonic song cycle was commissioned specifically for the Lubbock Symphony’s 75th anniversary season and will premiere November 12, 2021, at the brand-newBuddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences. Tickets are on sale now.
“It will be a special night for me,” Oglesby offered, “because November 12 is also the 15-year anniversary, to the day, of when we held our legendary book signing celebration in Stubb’s in Austin, when musicians such as Jimmie Dale Gilmore and even Billy Gibbons showed up to perform. That turned into one of the epic Lubbock music jams of all time, in my opinion.”
Sparr, who reached out to Oglesby simply as a fan of the book after receiving the commission to create the piece, wrote all the original music. Sparr and Oglesby collaborated on all the lyrics. Rising-star country-western singer and Lubbock resident Hannah Jackson will be the vocal soloist.
“I have known about Chris’ book since my wife and I moved to Lubbock in 2013,” Sparr said. “I thought using Chris’ book to combine the two worlds of all of Lubbock’s great musicians — past and present, classical and country — was a perfect match for the Lubbock Symphony’s 75th anniversary. There’s never been an orchestra piece with full chorus, three added electric guitars, three percussionists, and a country-western singer!”
Oglesby also plans to hold a pop-up art show in Lubbock featuring his original work created via his Pretty Cool Art by cjo brand, Friday November 5 through Saturday November 13. The pop-up art show is hosted by artist Kelly Reyna’s Grey Edges Studio & Gallery, a “dynamic new force in the Lubbock arts scene” in downtown Lubbock, 1614 Mac Davis Lane. Theme of the art show will be “Lubbock Musicians.”
For contact info for Christopher Oglesby, click here.
For contact info for D.J. Sparr, click here.
For contact info for Hannah Jackson, click here.
For contact info for Grey Edges, c/o Kelly Reyna, click here.
I have a book that Mom gave me when I was very young of illustrated Aesop’s fables. I recently re-read the entire thing and thought I might like to paint my own interpretations of some of my favorite fables.
Aesop’s Lion & Ass
This is the first one I’ve done in that potential series. As with many of my paintings, I like this because it makes me laugh.
“Aesop’s Lion and Ass” acrylics on 12×24 canvas; completed Fri Sep 13, 2019.
My paraphrasing of Aesop: Lion is minding his own business, when this donkey wanders over from his own green pasture just to bray complaints at the Lion, about what? Who knows? Lion doesn’t speak Ass. While Lion knows he has the sheer power to instantly slaughter the annoying dumb Ass, Lion is wise and knows it is not worth his effort nor the ensuing mess to respond. So Lion continues to mind his own business until the dumb oblivious Ass gets tired and leaves the arena, where it seems he is getting in too deep for his own ass.
Moral: “It is better to ignore rudeness than to be annoyed by it.”
Gallery of acrylic paintings by cjo
Aesop’s Crab & Snake
Aesop’s Kite, Mouse, & Frog
Aesop’s Eagle & Fox
Aesop’s Dog & Shadow
Aesop’ Sow & Wolf
Aesop’s Tortoise & Hare
Aesop’s Rooster & Jewel
Aesop’s Fox & Crocodile
Aesop’s Crow & Pitcher
More Aesop’s Fables, as interpreted by cjo
Crab & Snake
Snake and the Crab:
Always honest Crab begs his deceitful friend Snake to “Straighten up and be honest, give up your crooked ways” Snake refuses to act right, so Crab strangles his hopelessly deceitful friend Snake in his sleep. Looking at Snake’s outstretched body, Crab says sadly, “This would not have happened if you had lived as straight as you died.”
Moral: Good and Evil cannot live and work together.
Kite, Mouse, & Frog
Kite, Mouse, and Frog:
Crafty Mouse & Strong Frog are fighting over who is Master of the Meadow, so intent in their struggle, they don’t see Kite swoop down to carry them away in her talons.
MORAL: Those who quarrel may easily find themselves in trouble.
Eagle & Fox
Fox & Eagle:
Eagle snatches Fox’s pup as a snack for her eaglets, Fox begs Eagle for mercy for her child, and Eagle denies it. Clever Fox finds a fiery stick, climbs the tree, and threatens to destroy the nest & the eaglets (her own pup doomed otherwise). So Eagle has no choice but to return Fox’s pup to her unharmed.
MORAL: Expect to be treated the same way you treat others.
I am pleased an honored to have participated in Tapestry Dance Company‘s Weaving Art into Life Project 2020.
I created this original acrylic painting, which i call “Dance Around Austin!”, on the reverse side of a 4×4 section of practice dance floor to be auctioned off as a fundraiser for Tapestry, a truly unique Austin Arts institution.
Dance Around Austin!
In my dance floor art project, Dance around Austin! I have depicted many diverse Austinites celebrating life through various forms of dance, literally all around the skyline viewed from south Austin’s Long Center which is home to many of Tapestry Dance Company’s performances. The title is also a command, so get get out there and DANCE AROUND AUSTIN!
Memorable scenes from popular movies and television are modern equivalents to ancient oral mythology, defining many of our metaphors for common hopes, dreams, fears, and belief systems. So following all great art traditions, I believe that these iconic scenes are appropriate subjects for paintings. Also, cinematographers and directors compose the scenes and lighting with great care, often with as much artistry as great masters of painting.
Pretty Cool Art and Painting Local
I will paint pretty much anything I think looks cool, but I usually focus on my mantra of “painting local”, so often when I choose to paint a scenes from a movie or TV, the subject has soe connection to Austin or Texas in general. Slackerand Dazed and Confused, directed by Austin Film Society founder Richard Linklater and set mostly in Austin, are popular subjects for me. Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski is also well represented. From Dusk til Dawn TV series by Robert Rodriguez, Sugarland Express, Honeysuckle Rose, Giant, and Mike Judge’s “Office Space” all are subjects, as is the hokey 4 For Texas set in some psychedelic Hollywood Rat Pack version of Texas. But my eye is not only drawn to subjects set in Texas; strong women often strike my fancy as artistic subjects, and simply well constructed scenes.
Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “Dazed and Confused“ Dir. Richard Linklater (1993).
Outside the Emporium
Dazed & Confused Boys
Deal
Woody & Slater
Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “Slacker“ Dir. Richard Linklater (1990) [NOTE: These 14 Slacker paintings are available for sale only as a set; not for individual sale.]
Always Something Bizarre Going On.
You Know About the Suppressed Transmission, Don’t You?
Band Practice in About Five Hours
Getting Down to the REAL Madonna
Next Person Who Passes Us Will Be Dead Within a Fortnight
Free Cokes
Wanna Soda?
Hey, Look at Me. I’m Making It.
If You’re Here to Steal Something, You’ve Come to the Wrong Place.
‘Withdrawing in Disgust is Not the Same Thing as Apathy’
Take Scooby Doo…
I Just Read, Work Here, Sleep, and Eat.
Free Weapons Give Away
Camera Toss on Mt Bonnell
Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “The Big Lebowski“ Dir. Joel Coen & Ethan Coen (1998)
The Dude at Jackie Treehorn’s Home
Walter & the Dude
Mark It Zero
Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Honeysuckle Rose“ Dir. Jerry Schatzberg (1980)
Rooster’s Over There Hittin ’em Back
Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “4 For Texas“ Dir. Robert Aldrich (1963)
I work in Austin Texas USA, I mostly paint subjects related to Austin and Texas, and often show my work in and around Austin.So I am pleased to have been selected as Featured Artist for the 2019 Art City Austin Festival in Republic Square, downtown Austin.
This interview and article originally was published July 20, 2019 byArt Alliance Austin.
Beyond the Bio:
Featured Art City Austin artist Christopher J. Oglesby
Christopher J. Oglesby, Pretty Cool Art by cjo
Primary Medium: Painting on canvas, mostly acrylic paints but occasionally oils; pencil and charcoal drawing, also.
Tell us about your upcoming exhibition (if applicable): I show at many art festivals and markets in Texas and the southwest, predominantly in central Texas where I live and work.
What are you working on now? I am always working on a new painting, and I maintain a rather thick file of ideas for future subjects to paint. I usually spend about a week or so to complete an average size painting (for me usually 11×14” to 18×24”), and when I’m done I get another canvas on the easel ASAP.
What draws you to your medium? I believe in “painting local” scenes from my neighborhood, community, and local popular culture; and I like to tell cool stories with paint, often from personal experience. My brand name is Pretty Cool Art (by cjo) www.prettycoolart.com . I don’t focus on one particular style because I am always interested in trying something new; however, I tend to use bright abstract colors to make realistic perspective, light, shadow, and reflections.
How long have you been an artist and how has your practice changed over time? My grandfather was a professional artist and lithographer who recognized my talent at a young age. While focusing on other professional studies in school, I have always created art for my own personal satisfaction. Five years ago in 2014, I retired from a career in law and public service enabling me to make creation of art my full-time business. I was very familiar with water color and oil painting, and have always been a competent drawer; however, I have taken several continuing education courses provided by Contemporary Austin Museum at Laguna Gloria particularly in acrylic painting, which I enjoy using now in many ways; I find that I now use acrylic paints sometimes likes oil, mixed with gel mediums for thick coats of color, and sometimes as watercolors, for light colorful washes.
In your opinion, what does the Austin arts community need as the city continues to grow? This may be unrealistic in the Austin of today, but “affordable & community supported gallery space” is the answer. Something like the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA is what I have in mind here.
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER J. OGLESBY
The author of a book about creativity, and producer of more than 100 successful music events, artist Christopher J. Oglesby now creates, promotes and sells his own Pretty Cool Art based in South Austin Texas USA.
Christopher Oglesby grew up in Lubbock Texas and received his Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from Texas Tech University. He moved to Austin in 1992 where he pursued a career in law and government administration, including a stint in the Office of the Governor of Texas, and then more than twelve years managing a not-for-profit trust for people with disabilities. During his spare time, in May 2001, Oglesby created www.virtualubbock.com, a website dedicated to West Texas music, art and culture. Subsequently, in September 2006, the University of Texas Press published his book “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: Legends of West Texas Music” (UT Press, 2006), which received the 2007 Certificate of Merit for Research in Recorded Popular Music from the Association for Recorded Sound Collections. Oglesby was a featured author and speaker at the 2006 Texas Book Festival.
While promoting his book “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air” Oglesby began producing music shows, featuring many of the artists in the book including Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Jay Boy Adams, and Bob Livingston of the Lost Gonzo Band. Since then, Oglesby has produced more than 100 successful music events including South by Southwest Showcases, a weekly local music showcase in Austin, and many private house concerts.
After a lifetime of enjoying his artistic talent as a hobby, in 2014, Oglesby began his career full-time painting and selling his artworks and created his brand Pretty Cool Art by cjo. He’ll paint anything he thinks looks cool, especially local entertainers and events, food and drinks, unique scenery, pets, friends, and iconic scenes from TV & Movies. Oglesby has completed several commissioned works in private collections and gladly accepts most commission requests.
Oglesby has artwork in many juried art festivals, galleries, exhibits, and fine dining restaurants across Texas and the Southwest. Oglesby’s original artworks are in private collections in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, Denver, Colorado Springs, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Lubbock, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin.
Austin TX USA October 6-7 – Art @ The Domain Festival 2018
“Recent Austin Scenes That Don’t Look Like This Anymore”
Austin artist Christopher J. Oglesby is showing for sale several Austin-themed original acrylic paintings, including: recent Austin scenery which already do not exist; Austin celebrities; memorable scenes from Austin-related films; musicians & musical instruments; beer, wine & coffee, and more! Signed prints of select artworks also are available. Facebook Event Link – Please Share!
Art at The Domain
Art @ The Domain in Northwest Austin is a small boutique Art Festival featuring 85 fine artists and contemporary craft artists along Century Oaks Terrace, a beautiful street lined with retail shops, lofts and luxury apartments right in the heart of The Domain. This juried two-day art festival features fine art and contemporary crafts in 14 media categories. Join us for a weekend of fine art to delight your senses!
Gallery of Featured Artwork, Art @ The Domain 2018
-click on Thumbnails to view full images-
South Congress Triptych
Carolyn Wonderland in Austin TX
Dazed & Confused Boys
Willie & Family ’78
A Capitol View
Stairway from Ladybird Lake to Ann Richards Bridge
Set of Fourteen paintings inspired by still-shots from “Slacker” – Richard Linklater’s 1990 classic film about life in Austin
I have completed a series of fourteen paintings based upon still shots from the 1991 seminal Richard Linklater film “Slacker” set entirely in central Austin. The titles of each work in this series are lines from the movie spoken at that particular moment in the film or a description of the unspoken action portrayed. I have transcribed the time-stamp number from the DVD to the back of the canvases to identify the precise scene.
Always Something Bizarre Going On.
You Know About the Suppressed Transmission, Don’t You?
Band Practice in About Five Hours
Getting Down to the REAL Madonna
Next Person Who Passes Us Will Be Dead Within a Fortnight
Free Cokes
Wanna Soda?
Hey, Look at Me. I’m Making It.
If You’re Here to Steal Something, You’ve Come to the Wrong Place.
‘Withdrawing in Disgust is Not the Same Thing as Apathy’
Take Scooby Doo…
Free Weapons Give Away
I Just Read, Work Here, Sleep, and Eat.
Camera Toss on Mt Bonnell
Nostalgia
This series of fourteen paintings will be appreciated by fans of the movie “Slacker” and long-time Austin residents. Austin is a much different town today in the 21st Century than it was in 1990, much more crowded and busy now than the simple slow life which the film’s title implied of those times. Anyone who lived in Austin during the ’80s & ’90s recognizes that much of the Austin portrayed in “Slacker” has gone with the wind. Slacker is filled with scenes evoking fond memories for long-time Austin residents.
The Slacker Series is intended to be a unified work and will be sold only as a Set of 1 Paintings; the individual paintings are not available to be sold separately.
Chronological Scenes
I’ve always intended for this series of paintings to be viewed in a serial manner somewhat like the Stations of the Cross. While some scenes I chose to use what might be considered more obscure, I tended to be interested mostly on each scene’s particular lighting & composition. However each of the thirteen scenes seems to me as representative of many of the basic themes of the movie, when viewed as a whole.
Here is a brief summary of each scene in the series.
“There’s Always Something Bizarre Going On.” (01mins:42secs) Title is line spoken by man in the back seat of the cab, who is played by director Richard Linklater. The character is telling the cab driver about a weird dream he just had on the bus ride into Austin. The eighth I painted, April 22, 2016.
“You Know About the Suppressed Transmission, Don’t You?” (14mins/03 secs). The title line is spoken by the man with the Bloody Mary drink in his hands. He has followed the young man out of Capt. Quackenbush’s Galactic Coffee Co. on to the Drag. He is speaking about transmissions from the Apollo astronauts on the moon. The third I painted, October 14, 2015.
“I’ve Got Some Band Practice in About Five Hours So I Figured I’d Mosey On Out.” (24mins/04 secs) The title line is spoken by the man at the bottom of the stairs. Notice that he wears no watch on the wrist he is looking at. The second I painted, August 24, 2015.
“Getting Down to the REAL Madonna” (27mins/57secs) This is perhaps the most well-known scene in the movie; the woman in the hat is showing the woman with her back to us what she claims is Madonna’s PAP smear.
“The Next Person Who Passes Us Will Be Dead Within a Fortnight” (31mins/58secs) Title line is spoken by the woman in yellow. The strutting man on the left has no idea what these ladies are saying, and we never find out in the scope of the film what happens to him but he does have some bad luck in the following scene. The first I painted, August 19, 2105.
“Free Cokes” (37mins/55secs). This free-enterprising youths have figured out how to get free sodas from the machine, as many of us did when we were children. The diet sod seen in the following seen was sold to the frowning man in the next scene. The fifth I painted, February 23, 2016.
“Wanna Soda?” (41mins/48secs). The frowning man bought the soda from the kids in the previous scene, then gave it to the woman who promptly says the title line when offering it to a beggar on the Drag. The sixth I painted, March 1, 2016.
“Hey, Look at Me. I’m Making It.” (55mins/50secs). Title line is spoken by the man with two cigarettes being interviewed on camera. Notice that the woman with notepad appears to be writing but does not hold a writing implement. They are standing outside Les Ami, an old Austin landmark. The eleventh I painted, July 29, 2016.
“If You’re Here to Steal Something, You’ve Come to the Wrong Place.” (59mins/04secs). Title line is spoken by the gray-haired man on the right who has just returned home to find the man with the gun, who was there to burgle the house but was caught reading the fascinating historic documents near the window. The seventh I painted, April 14, 2016.
“It Says, ‘Withdrawing in Disgust is Not the Same Thing as Apathy’.” (1hr/11mins/42secs). Title line is spoken by the man in the hat, involved in the burglary ring with the armed man in the previous scene, who has just drawn a random card with affirmative statements printed upon them, offered by the woman in sunglasses. The obscured woman in the background is creating a demonstration of her menstrual cycle. The tenth I painted, June 29, 2016.
“Saturday Morning Cartoons is Just a Bunch of Values and Junk Thrown at You; Take Scooby Doo…” @1hr/15mins/03secs. Line is spoken by the man in glasses. Best I can tell, this scene appears to be in the original Trudy’s bar in north campus area? The ninth I painted, June 14, 2016.
“I Just Read, Work Here, Sleep, and Eat.” (1hr/30mins/03secs). Title line is spoken by Austin performance artist & musician known as Wammo, the cross-armed man. He has just read a script by the woman at the bar and is commenting on the value of creating art. The fourth I painted, December 16, 2015.
“Free Weapons Giveaway Program” @ 1hr/34mins/00secs. Title line is spoken by the long-haired man, who is shouting into a microphone attached to a speaker on the roof of his car. He is encouraging everyone to violently kill each other. Passersby point and laugh. The twelfth I painted, August 17, 2016
To purchase this series of 14 paintings, click here.
Watching Slacker, Then & Now
My Austin Slacker Cred
Having lived in Austin for almost twenty-five years, Richard Linklater’s seminal film “Slacker” is one of my all-time favorite movies. But the first time I ever saw Slacker, I hated the film. However, like Austin, everything changes with time.
I had spent the summers of 1990 & ’91 working and playing in Austin, then after graduating Texas Tech a leaving Lubbock for a brief sojourn in Washington DC, I returned to Austin in August 1992 as a mostly permanent resident. I had less than $30 in my pocket and no car but lifelong friends from Lubbock offered a futon in their living room, and I quickly landed a minimum wage job working at the front desk of the Driskill Hotel on 6th Street.
I had many friends in Austin, most with an advanced degree or two and everyone either under- or unemployed; many were aspiring writers, artists, dancers, musicians & entrepreneurs. My friends mostly congregated in an un-air-conditioned pre-war frame house on East 35th street owned by the father of some friends from Amarillo, so the rent was low for the 3 or 4 people who were always living at the two bedroom house.
We spent a lot of time listening to records, reading books, writing & singing songs, swimming in the creeks, and scrounging up enough money for beer and other diversions, such as video-tape rentals from Vulcan Video. So we had all heard of a cult movie made in Austin a year or so before, the name of which seemed to be hanging on everyone we knew, “Slacker.”
Vulcan Video on the Drag
It was probably Sally Milton who went to the trouble to rent the videotape from Vulcan Video, so one afternoon we sat down to watch the locally-made film everyone was talking about.
When the movie was over, I arose from the dog-haired covered couch and announced that was the worst movie I had ever seen because a movie should be a diversion from one’s own life and that movie was EXACTLY the way our life was at that time.
Those exact same crazy people were wandering in & out of our living room initiating the same inane cosmic conversations, so I felt I had in no way been taken away from my current situation and so that was a waste of my time.
By the way, one of those friends ten years after the making of Slacker was named by the Austin American Statesman as the first runner-up in a contest searching for Austin’s truest Slacker; I told him that because he came in second place, he actually won because what true Slacker wants to win a contest?
Slacker Today
I now own the Criterion Collection Director Approved Special Edition Double-Disc Set of Slacker, which also contains documentaries about the making of the movie and locations in the movie which no longer exist as they were, interviews with the actors and original screen tests, etc.
Slacker now is recognized as a seminal film affecting a generation of do-it-yourself filmmakers including Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarrantino, Kevin Smith, Wes Anderson, etc.
I Love Slacker
I have seen Slacker dozens of times now. For the exact same reason I hated watching the VHS tape almost 25 years, I now cannot get enough of it because Slacker does accurately reflect what our life was like in Austin Texas then: slower moving, more deliberate, less to worry about – in short: nostalgia.
To purchase this series of 14 paintings, click here.
Always Something Bizarre Going On.
You Know About the Suppressed Transmission, Don’t You?
Band Practice in About Five Hours
Getting Down to the REAL Madonna
Next Person Who Passes Us Will Be Dead Within a Fortnight
Free Cokes
Wanna Soda?
Hey, Look at Me. I’m Making It.
If You’re Here to Steal Something, You’ve Come to the Wrong Place.
‘Withdrawing in Disgust is Not the Same Thing as Apathy’
On Thursday September 15, 2016 after the Walk of Fame induction, we will celebrate the 10 year anniversary at Tornado Gallery (1822 Buddy Holly Ave) with a book signing reception featuring live music by some of the artists in the book including Cary Swinney, Wade Parks, and other unannounced special guests.
I the author will have copies of the book for sale to sign, and guests also may bring their own copy to be signed.
I donated my research materials to the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University earlier this year, and the Southwest Collection will have a display on site at Tornado Gallery commemorating the book’s publication.*
When the book was published we had a book signing party at Stubb’s in Austin and many musicians featured in the book showed up and performed. Perhaps the highlight of my book signing party at Stubb’s BBQ in Austin on November 12, 2006 is captured in this moment. Jay Boy Adamsis one of the musicians featured in my book, an incredible southern rock guitar player who had two albums on Atlantic before mostly retiring from performing in 1980 when he started a tour bus outfitting company which transports many of the biggest music tours on the road: Springsteen, ZZ Top, Shania Twain, Ringo Starr, etc. For many years, the Jay Boy Adams band was the opening band for ZZ Top on tours and after his set at each show, Jay Boy was Billy Gibbons personal guitar tech, keeping BFG’s guitars strung and in tune.
So the night of my book signing party, Jay Boy shows up with a full band in one of his buses, parks right outside Stubb’s. After many amazing performances that evening, murmurs go ‘round that Billy Gibbons is in the room. Bob Livingston, who was running the stage, said Gibbons wanted to get on stage and play. I said, “Let him.” Gibbons borrowed Lubbock guitarist Steve Lotts’ Strat and played one blues number with the band . I was sitting on the side of the stage dumbstruck. Jay asked me afterward what I thought; I said that, other than when I got married, it was the greatest moment of my life; truly amazing moment.
If you don’t believe it happened, here is some video from that night:
Here is a gallery of more West Texas Art by Christopher J. Oglesby that are inspired by West Texas Music:3333
Stubb’s Cadillac
Stubb’s Original, East Broadway
Colin Gilmore House Concert
cjo with Cary Swinney
Kent Mings, 11-12-2006
Billy Gibbons & Jay Boy Adams, 11-12-06
Paul Bullock, , 11-12-16
Rt 1 Acuff Studio
Diptych: Dixie Chicks
Cassie & Robin Griffin
Outlier
Amanda Shires Band at Cactus Cafe
Hayden Huse Walk Across Texas
Butch Hancock & Prairie Scholars
Waery Blues: Ryan Bingham
Crimson Rose Through Chainlink Fence
Folk Rock Session
House Concert Gear
The Strip
South Plains Fair
Storm Over Slaton
ell Llano dedse el Cielo
* The Crossroads of Music Archive, located in the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University, is proud to announce the opening of the exhibit: Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air by Christopher J. Oglesby. The exhibit honors the upcoming tenth anniversary of the book—Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: Legends of West Texas Music by Christopher J. Oglesby. Curated by the archivist for the Crossroads of Music Archive, Curtis Peoples, Ph.D. and fabricated by Lyn Stoll, the exhibit is a small collection of snapshots highlighting some of the artists found within the book. Some of these artists include Tommy Hancock, Terry and Jo Harvey Allen, Joe Ely, Kimmie Rhodes, and others.
The exhibit happened after Chris Oglesby donated his research materials for the book to the Crossroads of Music Archive earlier this year. While processing and inventorying the collection, a decision was made to construct an exhibit to showcase the book. During the selection of materials, Chris informed Curtis that the tenth anniversary is September 1, 2016. Chris and Curtis are now working together to plan an event to celebrate the tenth anniversary release of the book; the date is Sunday September 15, 2016. A smaller traveling exhibit will be featured at the event along with live music. More details about the event will be forthcoming, so stay tuned.
The fixed exhibit is located in the Coronelli Globe Rotunda at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library located on the Texas Tech campus at 15th and Detroit.
My wife and I host house concerts as part of our continuing effort to encourage appreciation of local live music, beverage, and food. Many of my paintings have been inspired by these events or by the musicians who have graced our living room with their fine performances. You can click on any of the images here to view or purchase.
We fully support the house concert concept and encourage you to do so, also. Please try to enjoy some live music at least once a month and pay the artists like any other fine artisan. We are fortunate to have some of the best music around performed right in our living room.
If you would like to attend a future Oglesby Hose Concert, send me a message, either email or through social media, and I’ll supply you with details.
View Pretty Cool Art at a House Concert
I have around one hundred of my original paintings hanging on the walls of our home, most are for sale. Our house concerts are a good opportunity to see Pretty Cool Art up close, and you might find a good deal.
Many of you probably have attended some fine house concerts but for the uninitiated, here is what you can expect at your first house concert.
Unique Intimate Music Performance
A House Concert is an intimate live music performance held in the privacy of the host’s home. Usually, the crowd is smaller than a public music venue, and guests have received private invitations. The audience is seated in a comfortable home environment, rather than a noisy crowded bar or club, and the audience is expected to be seated and pay attention during the performance, as in a seated auditorium. This is a great opportunity for performers to communicate directly and intimately with an audience who will respectfully appreciate the performance.
Cover Charge?
Guests are expected to pay a cover charge gratuity, a donation, with the money going directly to the performer. Most “true” house concert presenters do not operate with a profit motive. House concerts are a safe and fun way for a performer to make money for their performance by dealing with an appreciative host and audience rather than worrying about the traditional business hazards of dealing with public live music venues and promoters. Believe it or not, some venues do not have the musicians’ best interest at heart. We LOVE our artists and give them the respect they very much deserve!
Most house concerts feature food or a meal. Many house concerts are “pot luck” with guests bringing dishes to share but often the host will provide light food and drink. Alcohol is either provided for no cost by the host or guests may BYOB. When the artist is not performing, guests are encouraged to socialize and enjoy themselves as at any other private party.
Oglesby House Concerts
If you love original music by Texans with heart and soul, or if you simply have wanted to see the Oglesby’s living room which has been called the unofficial Lubbock Music Consulate to South Austin, then y’all come on over and see us, kick off your shoes and enjoy a night of South Austin magic. Feel free to BYOB and to share your favorite potluck dishes!
Meet the artists & enjoy drinks and appetizers at Hyde Park Bar & Grill Monday November 16, 2015; 5:00 to 7:00 pm
From October 25 to December 6, 2015 we are very pleased to be displaying Pretty Cool Art by cjo at Hyde Park Bar & Grill on Duval Street. This art exhibit features twenty-four original acrylic paintings of Austin personalities, Austin music scenes and other notable Austin scenery, as well as several of my “cubish” beer, wine and cocktail paintings.
Please join us Monday November 16 at the Art Party to celebrate Pretty Cool Art by Christopher J. Oglesby.
Christopher Oglesby Art Party Monday, November 16, 5-7pm Hyde Park Bar & Grill 4206 Duval, Austin, TX 78751 512 458 3168 complimentary appetizer buffet, drinks at happy hour prices
Please join the artist Chris Oglesby for happy hour to celebrate this show. A great opportunity to see in person several of the paintings featured on prettycoolart.com, and several all-new paintings never before seen will also be featured. CLICK HERE to view the 24 pieces of art on display for sale.
Also on display are several pieces by Austin artist Ann Seago.
October 25-December 6 Twenty-four original paintings by Christopher J. Oglesby are on display for sale
at Hyde Park Bar & Grill, 4206 Duval, Austin TX 78751, 512 458 3168
to purchase any painting from Hyde Park show, please contact Anne Ducote, 512-422-7643, anne.ducote@att.net
click on thumbnails to view each entire image.
“South Congress Triptych”
South Congress Triptych
Three 16×20 acrylic canvases,
black frames (not sold separately)
This work hangs over the fireplace in the central barroom at Hyde Park, 10/25-12/6. Because Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, this view of the heart of the South Congress Avenue tourist district, looking toward downtown, is already a bit dated. The skyline has broadened and deepened, businesses have come and gone, signs change, the weather and trees, etc. In this triptych we see such landmarks as the San Jose Hotel and Jo’s Coffee, The Austin Motel, The Continental Club and Amy’s Ice Cream as well as sites only in the past such as Zen asian restaurant, the Southside Tattoo sign and parallel & front-end parked cars. This is a triptych set, not sold separately.
“House Concert Gear”
House Concert Gear
24×48, no frame
This painting hangs by the front door at Hyde Park, 10/25-12-6.
My home has long been known affectionately as the Lubbock Music Consulate to South Austin. My wife and I have hosted about a dozen public house concerts in our living room, and the common theme has been all the artists have been from Lubbock or have some association with Lubbock music. Our first house concert was Amanda Shires with Rod Picott in 2009; that night I declared Amanda would be the Next Big Thing From Lubbock (which is always a thing) and that has since proven true with a big career in Nashville and her marriage to Americana music hero Jason Isbell. We’ve hosted Bob Livingston of the Lost Gonzo Band; Colin Gilmore & Jon Notorthomas; Lubbock legend Junior Vasquez and his daughter Tori Vasquez (who I’d venture to say is the new Next Big Thing From Lubbock); and many more excellent musicians and storytellers right there in our living room, which is a treat like no other which everyone should experience.
My brother-in-law David is an excellent amateur photographer with a great eye for composition and light, and he regularly takes pictures at our events. This large painting is inspired by one of David’s photos of musicians’ gear before our 7th house concert on Feb/12/2011, which featured The Prairie Scholars aka Andy & Jessica Eppler, Lubbock natives who are now firmly ensconced in Longmont Colorado, and our good friend Doug Haines aka Doctor Skoob, of Lubbock via Texas Tech who is now a master of literature in North Carolina.
This piece was the featured work in the April 2015 exhibit at Tornado Gallery in Lubbock.
“Dale Watson & his Lone Stars”
Dale Watson & His Lone Stars
18×24, black frame
This painting hangs by the front door at Hyde Park, 10/25-12-6.
Dale Watson’s is hailed as a savior of traditional country music and his “Ameripolitan sound” has become synonymous with Austin music. Any visitor to Austin must visit Ginny’s Little Longhorn salon on a Sunday and experience Dale Watson’s afternoon show and Chickenshit Bingo. This painting is inspired by a show at Gruene Hall, the oldest operating dance hall in Texas near Boerne south of Austin.
“Stefan’s Studio”
Stefan’s Studio
20×20 acrylic
This painting hangs by the front door at Hyde Park, 10/25-12-6.
My friend Stefan is a sound technician, a very important job in Austin Texas “The Live Music Capital of the World.” Stefan has worked sound for many music events I have produced and is a consummate professional, never lets me down, always does great work. This image is based on a shot posted by Stefan of his home music studio in Austin Texas.
“Aaron Franklin at the Pit”
Aaron Franklin at the Pit
16×20 Acrylic, black frame
This painting hangs over the doorway to south room at Hyde Park, 10/25-12-6.
Austin Texas has a reputation of being a city with great restaurants and central Texas is known for outstanding Barbecue. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue is one of the most recognizable figures in the worlds of Texas Barbecue and Austin restaurants, having recently won a James Beard Award and having been featured on cable TV as a barbecue judge and in his own PBS series “Barbecue with Franklin”. This image is based on a still-shot I made when pausing an episode of “BBQ with Franklin” on Austin’s KLRU PBS channel. Fair Warning: Franklin Barbecue is so delicious you must wait in line between two and three hours just for the opportunity to buy it! Celebrities such a President Barack Obama and Jimmy Kimmell sing the praises of Franklin Barbecue from Austin Texas.
“Austin Rollergirls (Holy Rollers v. Rhinestone Cowgirls 3/19/06)”
Austin Rollergirls (Holy Rollers v. Rhinestone Cowgirls 3/19/06)
22×28 acrylic on canvas, black frame
This painting hangs in the southeast corner of the main barroom at Hyde Park, 10/25/-12/6.
Based on a photograph taken by my brother-in-law David when he, my wife and I enjoyed an excellent bout of Austin bank-track roller derby on March 19, 2006: Rhinestone Cowgirls v. Holy Rollers featuring Sister Mary Jane. I’ve been to several roller derby bouts but this was our first time. By the way, i happen to own the DVD boxset of 2006 A&E series “Rollergirls” featuring both these teams set in a very familiar Austin Texas.
“Crimson Rose Through Chainlink Fence”
Crimson Rose Through Chainlink Fence
18×24, black frame
This painting hangs near the restroom entrance at Hyde Park, 10/25/-12/6.
I like the idea of illustrating song lyrics as a source of inspiration for work, and Lubbock native songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore has written many image evoking lyrics. The opening line of Gilmore’s “Where You Going” is: “I’ve seen crimson roses growing through a chainlink fence.” To me, that line evokes the idea that roses are both wild & beautiful, and though often tamed roses cannot be restrained by human culture. It also means we can free our minds from any apparent constraints by following our own nature, which i tried to depict in this painting.
Slacker movie still-shot paintings: #1, #2 & #3
Slacker series #1: “Next Person Who Passes Us Will Be Dead Within a Fortnight”
Slacker series #2: “I’ve Got Some Band Practice in About Five Hours so I Figured I’d Mosey On Out.”
Slacker series #3: “You Know About the Suppressed Transmission, Don’t You?”
Slacker movie still-shot paintings: #1, #2 & #3
Three 11×14 canvases, black frames
This set of paintings is displayed together in the northeast front room at Hyde Park, Oct 25- Dec 6.
They can be purchased individually or as a set of three.
Richard Linklater’s seminal 1991 film “Slacker” defines an era for many us who have lived in Austin since those days. Much of the scenery has changed in the past 24 years, the city is taller and more crowded, traffic is worse and business is booming in Austin. I’ve seen the movie probably a dozen times. I hated it the first time i saw it in 1992 because it was not an escape at a;l from my real life, that was what life was pretty much like in Austin then, the same crazy people coming in and out of our living rooms. Now i adore watching Slacker: for the brilliant, prescient conversations (global warming is treated as a fringe conspiracy theory) and the nostalgic views of an Austin long-gone. The titles of each of these Slacker paintings are essentially the lines that are being spoken by the characters in that scene at that moment.
“Stairway from Ladybird Lake to Ann Richards Bridge”
Stairway from Ladybird Lake to Ann Richards Bridge
16×20, light pine frame
This painting hangs in the big north room at Hyde Park, Oct 25-Dec 6.
This is a view I see almost every weekend when my wife and I run the 5 mile course around Ladybird Lake in Austin. I now often feel as if I am running through my painting when we get to this spot on the trail, north side of the river, just below the Radisson Hotel & the restaurant now known as Chavez. The bats can be viewed from here as well.
“Inclined Plains (Dream Last Night)”
Inclined Plains (dream last night)
22 x 28, black frame
This painting hangs by the doorway into big north room at Hyde Park, Oct 25-Dec 6.
Most of my paintings are inspired by photographs. Seldom do I make up an image in my mind and base a painting entirely on that. However, as this title suggests, I had an intense dream one night that I should paint this image and call it Calcined Plains, which is a very dream-like pun. The angle approximates that of the Great Pyramid of Giza and the measurements of the cells are related in a Fibonacci Sequence. The images themselves are repeated renderings of the flat arid farm landscape around my hometown Lubbock Texas.
“Chris Mosser with Beer”
Chris Mosser with Beer
16×20, black frame
This painting hangs in the big north room at Hyde Park, Oct 25-Dec 6.
Chris Mosser is a popular morning deejay on KVET FM radio in Austin. He also happens to be originally from my hometown Lubbock and one of many talented musicians I interviewed for my book and website about west Texas musicians; I consider him a friend and fellow Red Raider. I often find inspiration from photos posted by my friends on social media and that’s where this one started, when Chris was enjoying a vacation in Fort Worth.
“Jenny & Elizabeth at ACL Fest 2014”
Jenny & Elizabeth at ACLFest 2014
20 x 20
This painting hangs in the big north room at Hyde Park, Oct 25-Dec 6.
Jenny & Elizabeth are Austin friends who volunteered as bartenders for music shows i hosted at a local brewery. But that gig was over and it had been awhile when we ran into each other at Austin City Limits Festival 2014. Jenny had admired my paintings (via my facebook posts), and she issued a challenge as she snapped a selfie with Elizabeth, “Paint this.” So eventually i did. A fun painting of some real fun ladies.
“Never Give Up”
Never Give Up
16×20, black frame
This painting hangs in the big north room at Hyde Park, Oct 25-Dec 6.
My friend Donny is young, adventurous and has a really keen photographic eye. Donny frequently finds himself in interesting situations and places and often will send me copies of his fine photos. This painting is based on a photo Donny took while kayaking on Ladybird Lake with our friend Stefan (that’s Stefan in the kayak in this painting). You might recognize the iconic Pac-Man graffiti and NEVER GIVE UP slogan on the MoPac train bridge crossing from south Austin into downtown.
“Wildflowers at Caprock Canyons State Park”
Wildflowers, Caprock Canyons State Park
12×12, black frame
This painting hangs in the big north room at Hyde Park, Oct 25-Dec 6.
My first show at Tornado Gallery in Lubbock officially began on Friday April 3, 2105 and I had to be in Lubbock that Wednesday to install the work. So with Thursday wide open, my wife and i made the drive to Caprock Canyons State Park to explore the hiking trails. That hike may have been one of the most physically taxing trails I have ever been on in a state or national park, but the temperature was mild, we had plenty of water and the the scenery was uncanny after an unusually wet spring in west Texas. I took many photos, including several of the beautiful wildflowers thriving along the dusty trail. I painted this based on one of those photos; i believe this flower is called a Purple Ground Cherry.
“My Neighbor’s Sofa”
My Neighbor’s Sofas
14 x 18, black frame
This painting is displayed in the northeast front room at Hyde Park, Oct 25- Dec 6.
On Suburban Avenue in South Austin, our eager neighbor placed out their unwanted sofas a couple weeks early for large trash day last summer. It was my wife’s idea for me to paint a picture of them, she slowed the car down while i snapped the photo that inspired this painting. I really enjoy finding beauty in mundane things nearby me, and I get a kick out of this iconic South Austin image.
“Diptych: Dixie Chicks”
Diptych: Dixie Chicks
Two 11×14 canvases, black frames.
(Not sold separately)
This work is displayed in the northeast front room at Hyde Park, Oct 25- Dec 6.
Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, and Emily Robison are the Dixie Chicks: top-selling all female band of all times, thirteen grammy awards, and still the biggest selling country group ever in the US. They took on Sony, then they took on the military industrial complex and the President of the United States. Fearless, talented, and beautiful, the Dixie Chicks remain heroic figures.
These are two paintings with black frames, top & bottom, and are sold only as a set, not separately.
“Big Turbine”
Big Turbine
12×12, black frame
This work is displayed in the northeast front room at Hyde Park, Oct 25- Dec 6.
Texas has plenty of wind and plenty of space to develop alternative fuels such as electricity created by wind-driven turbines. When we drive from Austin back to see family in Lubbock, my wife and I are always astonished by these beautiful, grand and efficiently designed machines.
Various Paintings of Beers & Beverages
The
The Three Beers
Beer Tray
Eight Craft Beers
Cubish Beer Pints, No Blues
Famous Ivy Gimlet, Santa Monica
to purchase any painting from this Hyde Park show, please contact Anne Ducote, 512-422-7643, anne.ducote@att.net
click on thumbnails to view each entire image.
October 25-December 6 Twenty-four original paintings by Christopher J. Oglesby on display for sale
at Hyde Park Bar & Grill, 4206 Duval, Austin TX 78751, 512 458 3168
I grew up making and appreciating art. I visited and watched my paternal grandfather in Oklahoma who was a lithographer and prolific regional painter & sculptor. Growing up in Lubbock, several accomplished artists lived within walking distance of my home, including Glenna Goodacre, Hugh Gibbons, Clarence Kincaid, and Dick Cheatham, and some allowed neighborhood kids to watch and learn. These are some reasons I grew up fascinated by local artists. I took art classes into high school and college, and I drew often with pencils and pastels, painted when the desire approached me, usually in watercolors. I moved to Austin in the early ‘90s, those Slacker days, where many of my friends were artists.
Classes at Laguna Gloria / The Austin Contemporary
When my wife and I got married in 2002, she bought me as a wedding gift an easel, a set of oil paints and canvases in exchange for my promise to use them (I gave her a pair of cowboy boots for a promise that she dance with me). Shortly thereafter, I began taking painting classes at Laguna Gloria, now known as The Contemporary Austin. I learned a good deal about oil painting in the early classes I took at The Austin Contemporary Art School. Last year (2014) I decided to learn acrylic paints because I felt I could work faster using the quicker drying medium and produce more work. In the past year, I have enjoyed and learned from a couple of classes at The Contemporary Austin with instructor Phillip Wade: “Marvelous Acrylics” and “Painting Large.”
I learned much from the classes I have taken at The Contemporary Austin, and I also produced some pretty cool art in those classes. Usually the instructor allows us to choose our subjects and style and then merely gives tips and instruction on how to best approach the work, a “learn while you do” approach, which I like.
“Painting Large” March 21 – March 22, 2015
click to purchase
Instructor Phillip Wade explained that the “Painting Large” class was not so much about how to produce big paintings but more about learning to loosen one’s technique by not obsessively working on minute details. A week before class, I purchased a 24”x48” canvas which the instructor suggested we sketch out before coming to class.
For the Painting Large class I chose to work on this image, from a photo my brother-in-law took at one of the many house concerts my wife and I have hosted in our home. The class was eight hours over one weekend. I mostly completed this painting during that class, just a few highlights suggested at the end of class were added at home later. I was pleased when class ended that instructor felt I could sell a lot of work in Austin. I’m pleased to say that is coming true. “House Concert VII” was the featured painting in my April 2015 exhibit of sixteen paintings at Tornado Gallery in Lubbock, Texas.
Monday 7/14 – In my first acrylics class, our exercise was to paint a greyscale black & white landscape. I found this interesting because Instructor Wade did not include black paint in our supply list. He wanted to teach us to blend simple paint colors to make the greyscale, and we used burnt sienna and aquamarine to make the black, which was new to me. It found it fun working with a medium that dries fast and is more forgiving than watercolors. Acrylics were exciting to me, and I had never done a completely grey-scale monochromatic painting before.
I had brought my own photo (taken 6/28/14) for my landscape image, and the instructor used my image as his example to show on his own canvas how we should start, which was helpful in starting my own. After instruction, we had about two hours to work with the techniques he showed us. The next day at home, I added some color washes over the buildings.
Wednesday, July 16 -Our second acrylics lesson was to do a landscape in color. We laid down a warm wash of burnt sienna on the canvas before starting, then sketched the darker tones with a violet base before adding color. I had always laid down base color but I’d usually use a color similar to what is going on top instead of a contrasting dark shade. While a basic concept I suppose, this was kind of a revelation to me; also, so was getting used to layering the acrylic colors, which go down differently from the oils.
I did “Dead Horse Point” in about 2 hours during that class, my first attempt to paint a full-color acrylic landscape. The image is from a photo which I took in July 2011 during a jet-boat tour of the Colorado River in southeast Utah, near Moab & Monument Valley. The big butte is called Dead Horse Point.
“Dead Horse Point, Colorado River SE Utah” 16×20, NOT FOR SALE.
Still Life & Pallette Knives
click to purchase
July 21 – Week two was two different still life projects. Monday was an exercise in color. We primed the canvas with all black to give the image depth; then the exercise was to mix proper colors using only primary colors & white. The instructor laid out several items of fruit and glassware and we could paint from any point of view and focus. “Blue Pitcher & Fruit,” 12×16 with black frame.
click to purchase
July 23 – Wednesday’s lesson was to paint with palette knives for texture. While I did use a brush for some shading washes and a few details at the end, this painting “Guatemalan Pitcher & Pear” was done almost entirely with palette knives. The pitcher had a Guatemalan village scene painted on it which was trying to abstract using just knifes, not easy! The teacher said he liked my technique, and said I seem to have some natural talent. “Guatemalan Pitcher & Pear,” 12×16 with black frame.
Texture Gels & Abstracts
click to purchase
July 28 – Monday, I painted the Big Apple, an exercise in using acrylic gel to prime to canvas to give texture. We were to spread the gel on the canvas in a stucco-like manner and allow to dry before class. We then primed the canvas with a light sienna wash, creating shadows and dimension. The actual painting only took about an hour to do. I like the stucco effect the gel gives to the texture. I also got a lesson in transitional colors between shade & light.
July 30 – Next class we were to attempt any kind of abstract painting. I really wanted to practice with textures using palette knives and also try laying down masking tape as stencils to create some sharp contrast lines. I didn’t really have an image in mind for the end product but I worked on it until I liked what I had. I finished after class, late the next night. After it was done, it reminded me of the Davis Mountains in West Texas near Alpine so that is how named it. The Davis Mountains/Transpecos area of West Texas is one of my favorite places on earth.
August 5 – The main lesson of this penultimate acrylics class was in using stencils and other supplemental materials to apply paint. The instructor then let us free to paint whatever we wanted. I decided to see if I could execute a small landscape entirely with palette knives, as I was growing fond of using them. This 8×10 is the first rendering of Prada Marfa I attempted. Later, one of the first paintings I sold was a 16×20 rendering of a similar scene later in the evening. I have since painted another Prada Marfa Sunset, which is also available for sale. “Prada Marfa,” 8×10 with black frame
click to purchase
August 6 – Our assignment for the final class was to bring in one of our earlier paintings for a lesson on finishing touches, making just the right highlights and creating focus features. So in order to have something to “finish up,” in about 45 minutes on that afternoon before class I commenced to paint the initial form of these wildflowers based a photo I took on May 29, 2014 near the Barton Creek Zilker trailhead. In class, the instructor said it was mostly finished and all I needed to do was darken the background a bit to highlight the colors, which I did. “Wildflowers on Barton Creek Trail,” 8×10 with decorative gold frame.
fantastic DEBUT of “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs” composed by 
