Texas Stax
Why did you decide to pursue a career in the Visual Arts?
I come from a family of painters and art enthusiasts. I grew up around the smell of oil paints and freshly gessoed canvas. I’ve always maintained a prowess for sketching and attempting shifting techniques in charcoal and pencil. Ultimately I branched into several media off shoots including sculpture and painting. I am self taught and self challenging with a heavy influence from vintage escapism art. I do my art because I must.
What inspires you the most?
My grandmother was a very skilled realism artists from Marshall, Tx. She had more to do with my pursuit of art as a young man than anyone. I developed my interest and love of art from her. She would talk with me at length about the great masters and as president of the town’s art guild she took me to several art showings. She carried the love of art around like candy in her pockets. She constantly challenged herself in her oil paintings. I saw it then and it inspires me now.
Artist Statement
Art should compel us. Art at its best is powerful. My art should remind you of another time. Simpler for some, fantasy for others, intrigue, entertain and move you.
Your specialties?
I love portrait work especially dynamic work. I strive to capture not only the correct likeness but the exact emotion of the person. It’s can be a subtle thing. Fragile and hard to capture but this is where I feel I shine.
What inspires you the most?
My grandmother was a very skilled realism artists from Marshall, Tx. She had more to do with my pursuit of art as a young man than anyone. I developed my interest and love of art from her. She would talk with me at length about the great masters and as president of the town’s art guild she took me to several art showings. She carried the love of art around like candy in her pockets. She constantly challenged herself in her oil paintings. I saw it then and it inspires me now.
Favorite subjects and why?
History & Hollywood! I grew up with a b&w tv in my room that I kept locked on the classic movie channel. Films by men with names like Ford, Hawks, Mann, Kubrick, and Wilder.
I have a rolodex memory of classic films and it is a heavy influence on my work. The art of Western Pulp has always held a special place for me as well. Not always true to history but always entertaining and adventurous.
Your preferred locations to work?
I have an art studio in North Dallas I mostly do my art at but I do enjoy live painting invites to various locales around the DFW area.
