Art Consultant Spotlight: “Village & Church in Catalonia, Spain” by José Vives-Atsara

 “Village & Church in Catalonia, Spain” by José Vives-Atsara oil, 16" x 20"

When I look at this landscape painted by Vives-Atsara, I cannot help but to reflect upon the painter’s personal history and the many obstacles he overcame in order to reach his goal of living in the United States. The artist, originally from Catalonia, fought in the Spanish Civil War and was eventually taken as a prisoner of war. In the book, “José Vives-Atsara: His Life and His Art” by Nancy Glass West he reflects upon that time in his life. He shares an account of the train ride to the internment camp where he was held. The conditions during the trip were horrendous. He was forced into a boxcar with sixty or seventy men for the five days it would take to reach the camp. Vives-Atsara describes men crammed on top of one other, with only a small opening at the top of the boxcar. He was pushed to the floor and unable to move. He survived on sardines and oil from the can. Despite the deplorable conditions and the desperate times, the artist remained hopeful, saying, “I saw men during those five days who just gave up. I never thought I was going to die. I brainwashed myself to believe everything would work out. When you depress yourself, see things only from the negative side, you are lost. It is amazing what the human body can stand. Somehow, in a crisis, you manage to multiply yourself.”   Eventually, with the help of his father, he was released and reassigned to Franco’s army. After some time he was allowed to go home, a place he had not seen in a very long time. When I look at “Village & Church in Catalonia, Spain” I can’t help but envision the artist, or other countrymen like him, after a long journey skulking through the night, risking everything to see their families. They are tired and weary, but overcome with joy by the familiar sight and the pathway home.  

Quote: “José Vives-Atsara His Life and His Art”, Nancy Glass West, page 20.

©Gina Martinez, Art Consultant, J.R. Mooney Galleries, Boerne,TX

Please Contact J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art for Availability and Pricing
1.800.537.9609 Toll Free
210.828.8214 San Antonio, TX Location
830.816.5106 Boerne, TX Location

Art Consultant Spotlight: “Fall Landscape” Gilbert F. Neumann

"Fall Landscape" by Gilbert F. Neumann, oil 9"x 12" $1,600  


 As I view Gilbert F. Neumann’s dominant bold pumpkin and gold colors, I can’t help but to want to reach for a scarf.  Above, a grey sky emerges from the full foliage and a wispy white cloud floats into the horizon as if to say good-bye to warmer days, welcoming the coming chill in the air. The trees breathe a sigh of relief from the long hot Texas summer as they begin to release their leaves to the still green ground.  The fence disappears into the horizon blurring the focal point, which represents the transition that is the fall season.

© Gina Martinez, Art Consultant, Framing Designer-J.R. Mooney Galleries, Boerne, TX 

Please Contact J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art for Availability
1.800.537.9609 Toll Free
210.828.8214 San Antonio, TX Location
830.816.5106 Boerne, TX Location

Opens Tomorrow-- "Texas Vintage" at J.R. Mooney Galleries of Boerne 4 pm - 8 pm

***DO NOT MISS THIS TEXAS VINTAGE FINE ART SALE!*** CURATED FROM SEVERAL COLLECTIONS AND ESTATES, "TEXAS VINTAGE" IS THE EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR FOR J.R. MOONEY GALLERIES- BOERNE.  THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE GALLERY SPACE IS WHOLLY DEDICATED TO A COLLECTIVE EXHIBITION OF THIS CALIBER. SALINAS, WOOD, HARVEY, VIVES-ATSARA, FRANCIS, GOFF, GREER...THEY ARE ALL HERE !!!! OPENS TOMORROW (SATURDAY) 4 PM - 8PM   ONE NIGHT ONLY

INSTALLATION AND EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

"Texas Vintage" Art Exhibition Highlights   *** These are only a few of the over 50 selections of Texas Vintage and fine art assortments within the exhibition. The images are samples of the quality, diversification and prestige of this monumental exhibition. Many include archival provenance (stickers, labels, inscriptions, etc.) on the canvas and panel backing, adding valuable information to the fine art investment.

Porfirio Salinas "Fall Landscape" oil on canvas 36" x 30" $30,000.00

Julian Onderdonk "Mission San Juan" pen & ink on paper 7.5" x 9" $5,000.00

"Texas Fall" W.A. Slaughter oil on canvas 20" x 24" $4,500.00

G. Harvey "Spring Reflection" oil on canvas 24" x 30" $16,000.00 Dated 1965

Dalhart Windberg "Up Late" oil on panel 8" x 10" $1,665.00

F.L. (Doc) Spellmon "That Day" Mixed media on panel 28" x 22" $1,300.00

Lloyd Lozes Goff "Guanajuato" watercolor & guache on paper 11" x 15" $2,200.00 **Provenance of the Whitney Museum of American Art 1954 Annual Exhibition of Contemporary American Sculpture, Watercolors & Drawings exhibition March 15- April 18, 1954

John W. Orth "Afternoon Rider" oil on canvas 9" x 12" $450.00 ***includes name plate and artist label on back of canvas

Join the J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art - Boerne on Saturday Nov. 7, 2015 from 4 pm to 8 pm for an exciting evening of Fine Art in “Texas Vintage”.  The artworks in “Texas Vintage” are a curated selection of long-established fine art artists that includes aftermarket originals by G. Harvey, Porfirio Salinas, W.A. Slaughter, Jose Vives-Atsara, Joe Peacock, Robert Wood, Billy Saathoff, Santa Duran, Helen Hunter, and many Texas favorites. __________________________________   The genre of Texas Vintage Art has recently been the topic of discussion in regional and national auction houses, among private collectors, and fine art appraisers. With a few highly successful and much anticipated aftermarket auctions in both Texas and New Mexico, a small cohort of Texas artists have seen an increase in the demand of works dating from the mid 1950’s to the 1990’s. In “Texas Vintage”, J.R Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is proud to curate a powerful selection of artworks that give us a glimpse of the dynamic force of Texas Vintage Art.  Pulling from multiple sources and collections, the gallery will showcase masterpieces, unique acquisitions, and rare fine art in this ‘not to be missed’ exhibition of Vintage Texas Art. ______________________________ "This is a one night only affair featuring coveted troves from regional, national and international acclaimed Texas artists.... An event not to be missed!!!!!"    __________________________________ G. (Gerald) Harvey, one of the most regionally recognized artists of western nostalgia, recently reached a new aftermarket auction record in April 2015 at $400,000.00. With an average ceiling of $150,000 - $200,00.00 for his signature western paintings, “TX”  will be showcasing his earlier landscape paintings from circa 1950’s as well as select paintings from his traditional cowboy/ranch hand/West Texas Oil varieties. Accompanying this selection of highly collectable, midcentury work will be “ready-to-hang” framed reproductions on canvas and paper from Somerset Publishing; all framed by J.R. Mooney Galleries.  Jose Vives-Atsara, one of San Antonio’s most celebrated Spanish artists will be represented with a body of still life paintings, landscape, and floral paintings; bringing to light artwork from the archived collection of the gallery and exhibit portions of the after-market collection that have not been seen in over 20 years. Porfirio Salinas, an Early Texas landscape painter who gained international recognition for his stylistic depictions of the Texas Hill Country and in particular the bluebonnets, was a favorite painter of President Lyndon Johnson who hung five of Salinas’s bluebonnet paintings in the White House - three in the bedrooms and two for the study.  “TX” will include multiple selections of Salinas’s Texas Hill Country landscapes spanning several seasons and eras. Other selections of Texas Hill Country aesthetic, Western selections, Bronze reliefs and sculptures, bluebonnet depictions will include artworks by W.A. Slaughter, Billy Saathoff, Santa Duran, Helen Hunter, and many other Texas favorites. **** Hors d'Oeuvres and wine selections from the Boerne Wine Company will be provided for attending gallery patrons. Live music selections by "Two for the Road"**** ___________________________________________________ ABOUT J.R. MOONEY GALLERIES OF FINE ART J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art is a full service Fine Art Retail Gallery, specializing in Texas Vintage, Local & Regional, and Contemporary Art; coupled with a world renowned custom frame shop. J.R. Mooney Galleries for Fine Art was founded in San Antonio, Texas in 1947 by Joe and Adelle Mooney. Emerging as Modern Paint Company in 1947, with the largest selection of professional artist grade art supplies in San Antonio, the Mooney family eventually expanded their business.  Modern Paint Company became J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art to showcase local, regional and international artists while diving into custom framing, artist representation and other unique attributes.  J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art has metamorphosed again with an identity reflective of over a half-century existence; becoming custom framing experts and specializing in an array of museum quality art services.  J.R. Mooney Galleries is currently providing fine art services at their signature Broadway address in San Antonio, and Boerne locations.  J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art has provided framing services for every American President since John Kennedy and every Texas Governor since John Connally. The galleries have also supplied the Vatican, the Royal Palace in Madrid, Queen Beatrix of Holland, as well as major collections and collectors in Europe, Asia, South America and Australia. J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art 8302 Broadway St.  San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 828-8214   & 305 S. Main St San Antonio, TX 78006 (830) 816-5106 Gallery Hours: San Antonio – Mon. – Sat. 10 am – 6 pm / Boerne – Tues. – Sat. 10 am – 5 pm Admission is open to the public and FREE _______________________________________  Who: J.R. Mooney Galleries of Fine Art, Boerne What: “Texas Vintage” – Art Exhibition When: Nov. 7, 2015 4pm – 8 pm Where: JR Mooney Galleries, Boerne 305 S. Main St Boerne, TX 78006   ph. 830-816-5106