TEXAS-Stories of the Land Reception Photo Gallery

The staff at J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art would like to thank everyone who joined us for the reception of Jay Hester's TEXAS-Stories of the Land.  View our photo gallery from the event:  CLICK HERE .

Mr. Mooney speaks to the crowd.

History Told Through the Artistic Lens

J.R. Mooney Galleries is proud to spotlight the new article in the September 2016 edition of the Explore Magazine written by Gallery Director, Gabriel Diego Delgado titled: 
"History Told Through the Artistic Lens", following the curatorial endeavor and thematic discussion around Jay Hester's new solo exhibition slated to open October 8, 2016 in Boerne Texas.

Read it here at:

http://www.hillcountryexplore.com/?p=5387

 

"Jay Hester: TEXAS-Stories of the Land" 

 

A Hunter's Tale



Bill Scheidt (front) with his father
and brother

The Wyoming Conservation Stamp competition originated in 1984 to bolster conservation awareness in the state of Wyoming.  The contest is open to artists from all states and the subject matter is always a native animal. The winner’s work is converted to a stamp. These stamps are purchased by hunters and collectors and are also available as limited edition art prints. The Boerne artist, Bill Scheidt, has a special place in his heart for the competition and calls it his favorite. 



Scheidt's father hunting
in Wyoming in the 1940's

Scheidt grew up in a hunting household.  Every room of the house was covered in head mounts, except for the bathroom, Scheidt recounts. Most of the family hunted around the Bandera County ranch and everything killed was eaten. Far away in Wyoming, The Game and Fish Commission was created in 1921 to determine approximate numbers of wildlife.  By 1929 the legislature gave the Game and Fish Commission the ability to close hunting and fishing in an effort to restore fish and game populations. Hunting seasons were established across the state.  Twenty years later Scheidt’s father would make regular pilgrimages to Wyoming to hunt big game during these seasons. Scheidt’s father also took his home movie camera with him. He had one of the first home movie cameras, a Kodak 16mm that shot in color, very rare for the average 1940’s household. He used it extensively on these hunting trips and returned home to share the videos with his family and friends. The movies stirred Scheidt’s imagination. He had never seen anything like it before outside of a movie theater.  One film in particular that Scheidt remembers was of his father hunting and shooting an elk. It left a strong impression in the artist’s mind. Other home movies that inspired him were those of the pristine Wyoming scenery: the camp, the men riding their horses through the river, and the desolate landscapes.  Wyoming, with all its wild beauty captured the imagination of the young painter. The images stayed with Scheidt and would later make appearances in his works.



Scheidt in his studio

As an adult he would travel to Wyoming and visit the land he had seen as a youth.  He took a hunting trip there with his father and later went for inspiration.  Eventually, Bill heard about the Wyoming stamp contest and wanted to get involved. He has participated every year since 1997 when he painted a trumpeter swan for the 1998 competition. His favorite entry was for the Brown trout and although did not place in competition, it found its way to the home of a private collector.  In 2004 he won 4th place for his painting “Empty Nest” which depicts burrowing owls.  His artwork placed in the top five in 2005 and again in 2011. In 2015, his painting “Lookout” won an honorable mention, and was displayed at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne during May 2015. It was also published in the December issue of Wyoming Wildlife Magazine.  J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is proud to display this brilliant work in the upcoming show,” Switch 36” this March at our Boerne, Texas gallery along with other works by Scheidt.

 

by Gina Martinez, Art and Framing Consultant for J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art-Boerne 

 
 

Toward the Within

Sinclair in her studio

The artist Sidney Sinclair continues to transform. The popular representational painter has transitioned away from painting life like portraits and still life and has moved towards painting abstractly. This has become a period of flourishment for Sinclair. She took a risk at a time in her career when she was an established representational artist to move to a more intuitive, emotive style of painting. Sinclair’s new abstract style stems from a severe life change that challenged her in every way and gave her the insight and courage to experiment. She creates intuitive crosses and landscapes because, she says, they are from God and because of the events in her life she never wants to stray from a spiritual connection to her art.

Most that follow her career know that three years ago Sinclair was diagnosed with cancer. She recovered and it was a life changing event for her. Sinclair had painted crosses before, but after her ordeal they became much more meaningful.  To Sinclair, they exposed the temporariness of life and showed that God is with us. Art is the best way she knows how to express this profound significance. She remarks that most people take spirituality for granted until something makes them rely on it. Sinclair considers spirituality to be personal and she does not use religion to promote her work. She allows the viewer to make their own interpretations.   

Sinclair is grateful for her traditional teachers and training because all that she learned goes into her pieces.  Abstractions have always been a part of what she has wanted to create. Moving from representational was inevitable, natural for her. When she does a piece (whether the viewer sees it or not) there are the basic elements of good painting-design, composition, balance, line, mass and color. Sinclair says that after you know all of these things abstraction becomes intuitive.

 Abstraction for Sinclair is a progression.  It wasn’t a finite moment that brought her into that world. Over 15 years ago she saw abstract paintings that spoke to her but says she didn’t quite have the nerve to go there as a painter. However, she saw a new possibility and she sought out learning opportunities that would help her understand how to move in that direction. It was a scary and humorous experience for Sinclair and she didn’t understand her instructor’s words: “Go where the spirit leads you.” Today she gives her students the same message.  For Sinclair abstract painting is a more emotional way to paint and it makes her happiest.  It gives her the ability to let go and just paint. She is excited about the future and about what she’s doing now. Six new abstract works by Sinclair will be on display and are for sale at the J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art spring show: “Switch 36” located at the Boerne gallery this March.

 

by Gina Martinez, Art and Framing Consultant for J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art-Boerne

Antecedent / Au Courant Opens TOMORROW!!! \   J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art 305 S. Main St.  Boerne, TX 78006 830-816-5106 Sneak Peek at some spotlight selections from the exhibition. Seth Camm Sidney Sinclair Jose Vives-Atsara Cliff Cavin Bill Scheidt Seth Camm Copyright © 2015 JR Mooney Galleries, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because we like to send you news about J.R. Mooney Galleries and the Texas art community. Our mailing address is: JR Mooney Galleries 8302 Broadway San Antonio, Tx 78209 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

L. Richard online art catalog via JR Mooney Galleries

J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is proud to announce the newest selection of artwork of L. Richard in an easy to access on-line art catalog. 

View a sample of the selections of wonderful artist at:
http://issuu.com/jrmooneygalleries0/docs/l._richard

Lost Maple Path, landscape painting by Margie Barker

Lost Maple Path

Margie Barker

Acrylic

$659.00

20" x 24"

In a painting entitled, Lost Maple Path, Margie Barker finds inspiration from her love of the land and a tribute to Lost Maples State Park, located at Vanderpool, Texas.  Margie shares her view artistically with the viewer; reminding us of times past while  enjoying picnicking, backpacking, sightseeing, hiking, bird watching and nature studying.

The rough terrain of rocks and shallow creek form the visual base of the painting.  Small saplings show new growth, vigor and adaptability in the rocky yet sheltering environment.  The arrangement of rocks is elliptical, a shape that juxtaposes the foliage of the stately central maple tree.  

The tree is radiant with natural fall color and jubilant as only nature can create.  The hillside is prolific with greens foliage and slopes downward.

Margie paints the golden yellow and maple red-orange leaves of this tree so one might enjoy the sky laden with gentle wispy white clouds. She paints the beauty of the hillside and the composition of nature with layer upon layer of vibrant color and shadow.  

 Nature is at its abundant best and Margie uses the paint and brush to tell the story. There is a walking path that beckons and the short shadows indicate plenty of time to enjoy the discovery of views only steps away.

The colors chosen are powerful in this painting and the organization is rhythmically inviting.  Margie Barker has successfully captured a moment in time as she adventured to the Texas Hill Country.

By: Betty Houston

Art Consultant

JR Mooney Galleries, Boerne

To purchase call 830-816-5106

Or purchase online at www.jrmooneygalleries.com