The Texas Aesthetic III: A Survey of Contemporary Texas Regionalism

The•Texas•Aesthetic•III
Contemporary•Texas•Regionalism
William Reaves Fine Art • May 14 - June 26, 2010

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The Texas Aesthetic III:
A Survey of Contemporary Texas Regionalism
William Reaves Fine Art is pleased to present The Texas matter in Texas painting during the twentieth century.
Aesthetic III: Contemporary Texas Regionalism. This show, a
Within this historical context, we have attempted to
reprise of highly successful events of the last two years,
orchestrate a pleasant and interesting show, juxtaposing
represents the gallery’s
the works of contemporary
annual survey exhibition of
artists to portray the
important contemporary
myriad aesthetic forces
Texas artists whose works
that have influenced Texas
capture style or subject
painters over time. In
matter reflective of past
addition to showcasing
Texas masters. It features
exceptional artists and
an impressive array of
presenting strong examples
works by important
of their work, Texas
contemporary Texas
Aesthetic III enables viewers
painters, all whom we
3. Randy Bacon, Ostrich Farm
to contemplate the media,
consider to be among the best practicing in the state
subject and style that have contributed (and continue to
today.
contribute) a distinctive sense of “Texas-ness” in the art
Consistent with the gallery’s overall mission of
produced in our state.
promoting historical Texas art, Texas Aesthetic III has strong
This year we show works by 16 artists from across the
legacy overtones. In this show, we utilize contemporary
state. Returning for encore presentations are the original
art work to reflect on the evolution of style and subject
cast of our first Texas Aesthetic show, including Randy

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Bacon of Fort Worth, Jon Flaming of Richardson, Robert
member of the “New Dallas Nine” by D Magazine.
Harrison of San Antonio, Lee Jamison of Huntsville and
Returning from last year’s show, The Texas Aesthetic
William Young of Palestine. As we projected three years
II, are Houston watercolorists Hunter George and Erik
ago in introducing their works on a Houston stage, these
Sprohge. These gentlemen have a knack for consistently
artists have continued to prosper and excel in their field.
producing watercolors which dazzle local patrons, both
Since last year’s exhibition Randy Bacon has been the
displaying adroit skills with water-based media to portray
subject of a one man show at the vaunted Old Jail Art
captivating Texas subject matter. Their success is attested
Center in Albany, Texas. Jon Flaming has just successfully
through their many prizes received at the Watercolor
completed his first catalogued show hosted here at
Society of Houston (WAS-H) and other art events.
William Reaves Fine Art. Robert
Accomplished wildlife artist and
Harrison continues his run to
former Texas State Artist of the
the top and still stands as the
Year, Travis Keese, is also back
reigning premier artist of the
for this year’s exhibition. Keese,
Texas bluebonnet, while historical
a long-time resident of Kerrville,
artist Lee Jamison is at work on
is a University of Houston alum
an important series dramatically
(class of 1954) and former artist-
depicting the history of the
in-residence at Houston’s Museum
Texas cattle industry. William
of Natural Science. We were
Young, whose work we feature
pleased to reintroduce Travis to
on the cover of this year’s Texas
54. Erik Sprohge, Bait Stand
the Houston scene in last year’s
Aesthetic III invitation and catalogue has experienced a
show, and he returns now to exhibit a fine selection of
watershed year since he last showed in our gallery, placing his masterful waterfowl and game bird paintings. Last, but
as a finalist in this year’s prestigious Hunting Art Prize
most assuredly not least, our very own Richard Stout
competition, and garnering the heady designation as a
shows again in this contemporary artists show. Stout,

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himself a former Texas Artist of
we are proud that she has joined
the Year and recent recipient of
us this year. Her paintings create
CASETA’s Life Time Achievement
magnified, close encounters with
Award, presents a grouping of
the Texas environment; elegant
Texas inspired expressionist
in composition, rich in color
paintings in this year’s show.
and mystifying in their ability to
Richard’s works give proof that
connect us to the simplest and
the distinctive influences of Texas
most fundamental beauties of our
are clearly discernable, even in
natural environment. Otis Huband
the abstract renditions of native
completes the triumvirate of
Texas artists.
Houston newcomers. This show
Joining these “veterans” in this 52. Noe Perez, Roadside Verbena
represents an initial opportunity
year’s exhibition is a suite of Texas artists whose works
for our gallery to showcase Huband’s work. He is an
assume equal importance in the mosaic of contemporary accomplished artist, well trained and disciplined and
Texas painting. Houstonians Harvey Johnson, Dixie Friend consistently producing abstract expressionist works of
Gay and Otis Huband lead a distinguished contingent of
great quality. In this show we introduce Huband’s art
newcomers to The Texas Aesthetic III. Harvey Johnson’s
through a limited selection of his work, demonstrating the
distinctive work, the subject of a ground-breaking one-
vibrancy and timbre of his creative process. Viewers may
man exhibition earlier in the year, sensitively conveys the
expect to see much more of his work in the future.
African-American experience in Texas. In our current
Corpus Christi artist Noe Perez shows his exquisite
exhibition, Johnson shows a small but exquisite collection Texas landscapes in this year’s show. Perez is an artist
of his drawings and illustrations. Dixie Friend Gay, yet
whose development we have closely followed and we
another distinguished Texas Artist of the Year, is well
believe that his paintings of his South Texas countryside
established among the state’s elite landscape artists, and
are simply stellar. His paintings of the Texas cactus rival

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those of the Texas master, Dawson Dawson-Watson, and
compositions. We are pleased that we were able to entice
he’s only getting better. Austin artist Keith Davis adds a
the pair to join us in this year’s exhibition.
wonderful new dimension to this year’s Texas Aesthetic
We are absolutely convinced that this is our best
in the form of his regionalist inspired Texas “critters”.
exhibition of The Texas Aesthetic yet, and that each of
Davis, primarily a self-taught artist, uses his painted three-
the artists represented here offers a rich and worthy
dimensional constructions to capture the distinctive
viewing experience. Together their works combine to lead
character and soul of iconic
patrons through the varied and
fauna in our Lone Star State.
interesting paths that comprise
Husband and wife team,
the body of Texas art-both
Margie Crisp and William
past and present. Thanks to
Montgomery round-out our
all of our artist’s and to our
list of quality new-comers
many loyal patrons and friends.
for this year’s show. These
What a great show! What a
artists from Elgin bring their
wonderful way to conclude
own interpretation of the
our third exhibition season of
flora and fauna of the Texas
fine Texas art. Enjoy!
scene through their drawings,
paintings and prints. We
Bill Reaves, Steve Gaskin, and
were especially enthralled
Sarah Beth Wilson
by Crisp’s magnificent
44. William Montgomery, Blow-Out on Highway 6 (II)
drawings and her ability to capture the qualities of wind
and light through the charcoal medium. Montgomery’s
excellent paintings and prints depict quirky subject matter
and compelling narratives expertly painted in unique

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Randy Bacon
1. Adobe Walls
Home:
Selected Public Exhibitions
Fort Worth, Texas
and Collections:

Education/Art Instruction:
The Grace Museum, Abilene, Texas
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas
University of Texas at Austin
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Southern Methodist University, BFA
The Old Jail Art Center, Albany, Texas
Vermont Studio Center
Texas Christian University, MFA

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2. Climbing Guadalupe Peak

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3. Ostrich Farm

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4. Prairie Temples

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5. Taylor County

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