Mr. Mooney of J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is featured in the March 2015 edition of Art World News Magazine

Mr. Mooney of J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is featured in the March 2015 edition of Art World News Magazine!!

Here is the link to read the edition online:

http://artworldnews.com/PDF/AWN-MAR2015web.pdf

Longevity, Civility and Perseverance-JR Mooney Galleries & The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home

April 2013 edition of The Explore -Kendall County's Most Popular Magazine.

**On Page 37-38 is an article that showcases two important business in Boerne and their unique historical contributions to Texas!!

See the Magazine and the article at:

http://issuu.com/smvpublications/docs/explore_0413_web/37#share

Longevity, Civility and Perseverance

How two businesses achieved historical recognition-

“Texas Treasure Business Award”

-Gabriel Diego Delgado

email: gabrield@jrmooneygalleries.com

website: www.jrmooneygalleries.com

--Boerne, Texas,  a city unique as its name, lays claim to two businesses out of only 41 in the state of Texas who have been awarded the coveted and prestigious Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Treasure Business Award.  J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art and The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home now belong to a select group of businesses and entities that have met the rigorous requirements of receiving such a prominent award.

Each with its own exceptional history, family contributions, civil leadership, pioneering innovations and exceptional business practices, J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art and The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home strive to continue serving a revered legacy set forth by past family generations; akin to their respectively honored business leaders that sacrificed, challenged and succeeded in all economic climates of Texas over the last 60+ years.

JR Mooney Gallery Interior 

Original JR Mooney Signage and exterior facade

“Only less than 2% of all businesses ever receive this recognition”, said Senator Jeff Wentworth, while presenting the certificate to Robert Mooney, President of J.R. Mooney Galleries, on December 15, 2012 at the San Antonio gallery location. Wentworth personally presented the Texas Treasure Business certificates to several business leaders that comprised this year’s inductees.

 The historical necessities for qualification are summarized by the Texas Historical Commission as, “The Texas Treasure Business Award Program recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment opportunities and support to the state’s economy for at least 50 years….Created in 2005 by Senate Bill 920, authored by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and sponsored by Rep. Charles "Doc” Anderson of Waco, the program pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions toward the state’s economic growth and prosperity.”

Bob Mooney on the Senate Floor in Austin, Texas

 April Garner, State Coordinator at the Texas Heritage Tourism Program/ Community Heritage Development Division of the Texas Historical Commission reveals what some businesses will never achieve but these two organizations have –“a continuious for-profit operation in Texas for at least 50 years, they need to continue to operate the same or a very similar type of business as it did at least 50 years ago, have a continuous record of employment for at least the past 50 years, continue to operate as an independent, for-profit business, and maintain a good business relationship with the state.”

 Adding, “Businesses that also have established that they have been continuously owned by the same family or have operated continuously from a building that is at least 50 years old and have maintained its architectural integrity will receive additional recognition”

 “Receiving a phone call from the offices of Senator Jeff Wentworth, was an exhilarating experience, Mom and Dad would have been proud”, says Robert Mooney.  Started by Joe and Adelle Mooney in 1947, J.R. Mooney Galleries can lay claim as the oldest Fine Art Gallery in Texas. With over 65 years of business, J.R. Mooney Galleries has operated three galleries, experiencing seven moves and relocations, while employing only a handful of dedicated staff-including three that have collectively been with the company over 110 years.

 Jo Lynn Fisher of The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home emphasizes their rich and abundant business history as well- “The Ebensberger Funeral Home in Boerne was started in 1882 and it is Boerne's oldest continuously run business”, she says.  “The Ebensberger family started their business when there were no government programs to assist them, no paved streets or street lamps, and no infrastructure…They are extremely proud of their heritage and the part they have played in servicing those in need in Kendall County and the surrounding areas.” “They are in their 130^th year in business as of May 20, 2013”, she says gleaming with admiration for such rich contributions to the founding fathers of Boerne, Texas.

Historical decal

 On January 23, 2013, representatives from 6 other Texas businesses, including J.R. Mooney Galleries and The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home were recognized at the State Capital in Austin, Texas; receiving proclamations on both the House of Representatives and the Senate floors.

 “Being recognized by the state of Texas at the State Capital is a wonderful thing”, says Robert Mooney. “So many of our clients have been civic and state dignitaries”, he adds.  Reminiscing, he nostalgically recalls, “In 1975 the main gallery moved from Blanco Rd. to 8302 Broadway St. The first main event for the new location was a one-man exhibition for Jose Vives-Atsara, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the San Antonio Symphony. The opening was at the La Mansion del Norte (now the Doubletree Hotel).  This included a sit-down dinner for 300, and was attended by many major collectors and city dignitaries, including the then Mayor of San Antonio, Lila Cockrell…Approximately $20,000 was raised for the San Antonio Symphony.”

Jo Lynn Fisher recounts the great municipal contributions George C. Ebensberger, 3^rd generation owner and civic leader, had as he wore many hats during his ownership of Ebensberger Funeral Home. “He was a Boerne City Councilman, a Rotarian, and President of the Kendall County Fair Association…He was also a member of the Lions Club, the Boerne Chamber of Commerce, and the 32^nd Degree Masons. George was a founding member of the 49ers Club. This group was formed in 1949 and consisted of 49 members. They orchestrated Boerne’s Centennial Celebration for the town.”

The Explore Magazine article, April 2013 edition

http://issuu.com/smvpublications/docs/explore_0413_web/37#share

These tales of achievement are mirrored in the sincere words of Texas Historical Commision Chairman, Matt Kreisle, “It is a privilege for us to recognize our long-established businesses that have remained committed to Texans for generations, while creating jobs and stimulating economic growth…May this recognition serve to increase success and productivity for many years to come.”

 While on the Senate floor Sen. Leticia Van de Putte added her own heartfelt praise to Mr. Robert Mooney and others like Rosemary Kolwaski of RK Group who were in attendance-“The businesses recognized here today exemplify the reason a company remains successful year after year…Hard work, quality service, and resourcefulness go a long way in the Lone Star State and we’re pleased to recognize those traits.”

Evolving through inevitable growing pains, all businesses rise and fall to the occasion; making decisions that shape their business culture for future generations and clients alike. J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art and The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home were no exceptions.

Robert Mooney shares one story of how the ever changing Texas economic climate made the gallery redirect, refocus and reevaluate their model.  “In 1980 a third gallery was opened. {after the opening of North Star Mall Gallery in 1973.} This new showcase galley added a new client base, including Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Gov. Ann Richards, just to name a few”,  he says.  “All three galleries grew and developed over the following 18 years”, he comments, pausing the collect his thoughts. “1998 Mr. Joe Mooney and Mrs. Adelle Mooney retired leaving me to operate all three locations. The economy and other considerations led to the decision to consolidate the operations back to one location on Broadway; closing both the North Star Mall and Austin locations in the summer of 1998.”

Adelle Mooney 

Joe Mooney

Stories of handing over the business reins could be felt at the funeral home as well, seen in the historical lineage of how the Fisher Family joined ranks with the Ebensbergers. “George ‘Sonny’ Ebensberger, 4th generation owner, joined his dad in the business in 1977. His wife Yvonne and he took over the funeral home business in 2000. Sonny and Yvonne were looking to retire and knew the timing was right when they met the Fisher family around early 2008. Even though they are enjoying retirement, they remained partial owners of the business and stepped into help as needed. Sonny and Yvonne knew Dustin “Dusty” and me to view the business as a ministry and that we strived to treat each family they served with integrity and compassion just as the Ebensbergers have for the last 130 years”, says Jo Lynn Fisher.  “In December of 2008, the funeral home became Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home when Dusty Fisher took over the day to day operation of the funeral home which allowed Sonny and Yvonne to partially retire. Myself and our two children joined him in Boerne in February of 2009. Under my direction, major renovations to the funeral home were completed in 2009 while staying true to the original structure and maintaining its architectural integrity”, she says boastfully.

 Her proudest feat was being able to restore the original long leaf heart pine floors which are now only available through reclaiming.

 However, in 2001 Mr. Joe Mooney of J.R. Mooney Galleries passed away, and 18 months later in 2003 his wife and lifetime partner, Mrs. Adelle Mooney followed.  They left behind a Fine Art gallery legacy that would set the ultimate standard for high end retail gallery business models.

Mr. Bob Mooney and Sen Jeff Wentworth

 True to form, Jo Lynn Fisher says the last 100 years of civic duty is their guiding model. The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home is holding its 4^th annual Christmas Remembrance Service this December. “It is designed to offer comfort, fellowship, and suggestions on how cope during the holidays..glass angel ornaments with loved one’s names are presented to the families that the funeral home has served while other families have the opportunity to purchase the ornaments as well…The funeral home is currently providing the funds needed for the local VFW Post to rent space for their meetings until they can construct a new building…Giving back to the community will continue to be a priority for the funeral home and its owners”, concluding with great admiration and reflecting on where the funeral home has been and where it is going.

 A special decal identifying the businesses as Texas Treasures will be publicly displayed at J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art Boerne and San Antonio and The Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home.   “Consumers will know that when they spot the familiar Texas Treasure Business icon, they are doing business with a well-established, Texas-owned-and-operated business that has long contributed to job growth, stimulated the local economy, and generated state and local revenues”, concludes the Texas Historical Commission employee, April Garner.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

South of Town by Randy Peyton

South of Town

Randy Peyton

Oil

24 x 36”

$4,850.00

Randy Peyton represents the new cohort of Texas Landscape Painters; leading a post Onderdonk generation of Bluebonnet Bounty.  Peyton has captured the Texas landscape like a scenic shaman, creating emotional and nostalgic reminiscences of days nurtured by the Texas heat- causing the viewer to relax in an art induced medicinal meditation.

South of Town, a 24 x 36” oil painting by Peyton is a classic example of a signature style; complete with Bluebonnets, Live Oaks, a small barn, a horse carriage trail, and semi-arid vegetation.  Peyton knows his role in the historical timeline of Texas Landscape painters and this prosperity allows his a certain freedom evident in his images.

Bluebonnets bookend the sides of the gravel path that snakes through the painting like a question mark- pulling your eye straight to the horizon line and over to the dominate Live Oak on the left side of the mid-ground.   To balance out the composition, Peyton places the wood paneled brown barn opposite of the ominous and mature tree.  The humbled hay hangar opens its wide doors showing a shadowed interior.  Deep obscurity hides straw bales and husbandry necessities. The roof peaks and pitches slant down to a diminutive corral- vacant of any animals.  Although the dirt trail shows signs of wear, the total intuitive emptiness of the location implies an abandoned site-a ranch hidden deep in the backwoods of Texas; a product of the times. 

Impressionistic bluebonnets are minimally detailed, allowing for assumptions of validity.  The official state flower of Texas is arranged in 7 neat patches of underbrush- each lining the trail to the barn. Spotted with yellow and pink flower variations, we see a deliberate attempt to establish geography, but not caring for a realistic rendition of regional Botany.  

The main players of this scenic sonata are the three Live Oaks that secure a stoic trifecta of Quercus fusiformis; each placed in strategic areas in the composition –far left, far right, and exact middle.

Accented with spare cactus and open skyline, Peyton’s work of art compels us to imagine ourselves in the typical barren desert-scape of the Southern United States- feeling the arid heat and listening to the sounds of crickets.

-By: Gabriel Diego Delgado

Art Consultant

J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art

Jung Yoon

Jung Yoon

Morning’s First Light

48” x 60”

Oil

By:
Gabriel Diego Delgado
Art Consultant
J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art

..."Jung Yoon, aka (Max J. Yoon) a Korean Painter and former Bass Guitarist for Korean Pop Superstar Patti Kim, is a master of the superficial sunlight; exaggerating the ornately clouded sunrays of optimism and sumptuousness.  Yoon creates striking landscapes where the ground plays “second fiddle” to the intense rays of light emitting from behind the clouded atmosphere of superficial sunsets and dawning.

Morning’s First Light is no exception. A simple four quadrant composition and central path and tree cluster- the gestalt of the painting rests solely on the predawn luminosity that scatters across the vineyards and orchards of some imaginary estate.  Part Thomas Kincaid, part Venetian Impressionism- Yoon’s signature is seen in the golden rays that disperse a multi value palette of pinks, crimsons, blues, oranges, and purples across the semi-obstructed skyline.

Although the pathway leading into the center of the composition is a bit flat, the acute angles of the chateau on the upper left pulls your attention into the shadowy corner of celestial cerulean.  Deep in the heart of the off-centered conundrum of lavishly overgrown trees, a manor peeks out from behind the over simplistic vegetation.

Playing off the homestead viewpoint, Yoon interjects with a seemingly misplaced lake. Bland in his color intensity, the water emits a cool and refreshing feeling-even if there is little effort in his attempts to capture the true essence of the morning radiance in the reflections.

Even though each section of the painting has its place in the composition and anchored to its position by deliberate visual breaks, there are no surprises in the quasi-autumn scenery but the beaming joie de vivre of aura and divinity."

Jung Yoon

Morning's First Light

Oil

48 x 60"

Jose Vives-Atsara

..."Known for his peasant scenes, this “woman in the market” is exemplary in the fact that our sensibility of this individual can be assessed even without seeing her face. Our understanding her existence or impoverishment can be calculated by the fact she is in the marketplace selling her commodities under a tarp, sitting on the ground.  Additional still life elements are introduced to the left of the subject matter by way of various editable selections and containers.  Vives’s careful attention has been paid to the folds of the fabric as well as the braid in her hair."

-Gabriel Diego Delgado

Art Consultant

JR Mooney Galleries

www.jrmooneygalleries.com

"Mujer en el Mercado"

oil

Jose Vives-Atsara

$15,000 U.S.D

-Jose Vives-Atsara was born in Vilafranca del Panades in the Catalonian region of Spain on April 30, 1919. As a small boy he loved to sketch with pencil and paper. He began painting at the age of eleven. His first one man show came at the age of fourteen. From that time on, painting has been his love and his way of life.

Jose studied art at Saint Raymond College and the School of Fine Arts in Barcelona. He claimed that his most inspirational teacher was nature itself.

Mr. Vives-Atsara came to San Antonio in 1956. Within twenty years, he became one of Texas's most distinguished artists. His use of a palette knife in painting allowed him to blend rich pure pigments into a powerful statement of color directly on the canvas. This style produced works that are distinctively Vives-Atsara.

Jose is represented in such collections as the Museum of Modern Art, Spain; Fort Worth Art Museum, Texas; His Royal Highness Juan Carlos, King of Spain; the Vatican; the State Capitals of many southern states of the United States. His work is also in many private collections in the United States, Spain, Mexico and Venezuela.

For many years Jose was in great demand as a lecturer and teacher. He was the Artist-In-Resident at Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas. Although Mr. Vives-Atsara studied with many well-known European teachers, he insisted that he was continually learning about painting, and throughout his life his range of subjects continued to grow. The great intensity and character he captured from the people of Mexico, the depth and strength of the colors in his florals, and his breathtaking Texas landscapes manifested an interest and acuteness of mood too infrequently found in artists.

 -excerpt from www.jrmooneygalleries.com

P. Charles, "Peers"

P. Charles

“Peers”

Oil

24 x 48

P. Charles, a prolific painter from South Korea. A Veteran of the Korean Air Force, P. Charles lost his arm in an aviation accident. Residing in Korea, P. Charles is a nature enthusiast and has been investigating fowl for a few years. One other interesting fact is that some galleries around the U.S. have not identified P. Charles correctly and have been selling him as a rural Northeastern artist who lives on a farm and paints his own livestock.   Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Come see why we are the Fine Art Experts.

Three cocks rustle in an ambiguous landscape, standing brood to brood.  Quick palette knife gestures of cobalt blue; Phthalo Blue and Prussian blue all combine to show impressionistic gleam and glisten of fowl feathers. With dominate red hues crowning the heads and combs of such roosters; P. Charles creates a playful gaze between competing male encroachments.   Although the animals are a bit more repetitious in look and feel than what he normally illustrates, a cohesive composition is created with this “three’s a crowd” pictorial.

-Gabriel Diego Delgado

Art Consultant

JR Mooney Galleries of Fine Art

Arthur McCall New Work July 2012

Arthur McCall

Written By: Gabriel Diego Delgado

Art Consultant

J.R. Mooney Galleries 

The True Texan and artist, Arthur McCall is back with two new smaller works.  Each one is simplistic in genre but detailed for investigation. Fowl, Vegetation, Cactus and Foliage all mix within two small paintings that hold the viewers attention. 

In McCall’s Searchin’- Wild turkeys searching for victuals in the light underbrush show their eager persistence in scouring the ground to make the meal. Details in the feathers, ground textures and dried up riverbed situates the viewer in the unknown but slightly familiar acreage- one of the days long ago when Father and son happen upon the game in a outdoor manly bonding retreat.  Accompanying the intrinsic detail of the work we cannot help but hear the gobble of the birds as they peck and forage.  Plus, we see the water is not yet stagnant, feeding life of those in this semiarid desert climate.  On the otherhand,

Arthur McCall’s “Yellow Cactus” illustrates a picturesque field of voluptuous cactus, reveling in the afternoon sun. Stretching beyond what the eye can see - this infinite field of cactus is complete with a pollinating honeybee, cherishing the sweet succulents of these golden Texas Treasures.

"Searchin"

"Yellow Cactus"

 See More Works Available from Arthur McCall

Korean Landscape Painter- J. (Jeong) Morgan at J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art Poppies, Flower Fields and Perspectives J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is proud to announce a spotlight showing of 14 new works by Korean Landscape Painter, J. (Jeong) Morgan. J. (Jeong) Morgan- 




Korean Born Landscape Painter showcases why he is a nationally recognized artist with 14 of his new paintings at J. R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art. Having recently returned from a 6 month residency in Thailand at the King’s Palace- Morgan spent the time painting. His artwork was selected to help decorate and create an illustrious addition to the already elaborate buildings of this geographical wonder. J.R. Mooney of Fine Arts is proud to be showcasing 14 original oil paintings on canvas by J. Morgan; painted after his extensive travels. In the new series, Morgan is working through an eclectic color palette- favoring a more robust and neon-esque green, while diving deep to capture the profound reds and crimsons of the poppy fields of the region. 


Contact:
Gabriel Diego Delgado
Art Consultant
J. R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art / 8302 Broadway / San Antonio, TX. 78209 / 210.828.8214

Selected images of the feature wall at J. R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art

65 years of Business at J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art- San Antonio Express News

New Article on MySa.com

Mr. Bill Pack, Business Writer for the San Antonio Express News wrote a really great article on the 65 year anniversary of J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Mooney-Galleries-celebrating-65th-birthday-3637170.php