Art - On My Radar Right Now

Several of my favorite artists have either current shows or shows coming up in the near future.
If you read my blog you will be familiar with them, each of whom I continue to follow and be intrigued by their amazing talent.

Fatima Ronquillo's new work debuted last night in Austin, Texas at the

Wally Workman Gallery.

 "Dog with Master's Eye II"

(I have not seen Fatima do dogs before - isn't he fabulous!?)

 The show is entitled "Devotion" and is a collection of works depicting different characters wearing "Lover's Eyes" in one form or another. 

I wrote about Lover's eye's here.

 This show is especially unique in that Fatima has expanded her already incredible talent by using water color and acrylics to  create some larger pieces.

While she does paint on large canvases occasionally, she is known for her jewel like small, oil paintings, each with a sense of old master and folk art at the same time. 

Her work is incredibly detailed and even though small, her paintings take days to complete.

The combination of folkiness and curiosity/quirkiness draw me to her work, making me smile, wonder, ponder, and sometimes cry.

I love old, traditional folk art.

Antique portraits are highly collected and appreciated, but have never called out "Take me home!" to me personally.

While I enjoy looking at and studying fine art, what I love and want to live with and look at every day  is a little quirkiness or humor,  beauty, deeper meaning............ Fatima covers it all!

 This sweet piece is called "The Dreamer" and is 40" X 30" - quite large for Fatima.

If you visit her website she will show you exactly the process she went through to paint this treasure. Such talent continues to blow me away!

Elegant, with a tear drop coming from this lover's eye, this piece is striking. It is called

"The Nostalgist" and is 20" X 16".

Finally, my favorite of her new work, and one that will be coming to my house to live, is called :

"The Runaways"

40" X 30"

I absolutely adore it!!!

Fatima shows at several other galleries in the United States. 

Check her website for more information.

Fellow Texan, Jon Flaming, is gearing up for a show at David Dike Gallery in Dallas. 

Jon is a longtime favorite of mine, both as a friend and an artist.

"The Saloon"

 His new series of paintings are based on  Friday night television westerns he watched while growing up during the sixties and seventies.

In a statement regarding this upcoming show,  David Dike says:

This show will contain works indicative of Flaming’s signature style. Many of the paintings mark a turning point in his approach that can be seen through his representation of figures and composition. The self-taught artist’s neo-regionalist style has both a folk art and Texas Regionalist look inspired by some of the Dallas Nine artists. Traditionally, the images and sentiment captured in Flaming’s work reminds the viewer the of the spirit of a time past; an era when small town Texas was occupied by salt-of-the earth folk who were content with hard work and the simple pleasures of stability and Grace. In his work you will often find signs of this life and work whether it’s renderings of a pick-up truck circa late 1950, farm tools leaning on an old farmhouse, a cherished cowboy hat, vacant motel or a cross.

"High Noon"

Don't you just know there is about to be a duel in the above painting. 

Meet me at high noon!

In this show one will see works in Jon's signature style, as the paintings above, but also a new style that is emerging from my talented friend. 

The new style is still bold in color and composition, but with shorter brush strokes, distinctive lines, and forms,  creating an abstract effect as seen below.

"The Hideout"

"Abandoned Movie Set - The Mission"

Again, David dike says it better than I  :

Not only is the technique vibrant, new and unlike any other, but the inspiration for Western Movie is just that; vibrant – the TV westerns in their time could transport a young mind to gallantly save the town, the girl or just be cool in a cowboy hat with a lit cigarette. 

Fortunately, I will be in Dallas for the opening on October 27 and am really looking forward to actually seeing Jon's new work.
 
 Last but never least, is another talented favorite of mine, 

America Martin. 

 America also shows at Wally Workman Gallery in Austin and at Carver Hill in Rockland, Maine.  
 
(Aren't I the lucky girl to get to visit both galleries!?)

America had a grand show in Rockland earlier this summer at  Carver Hill, and the gallery just had another show this weekend featuring America and artist  Diane Schelble.

 

America Martin-rock-paper-scissors-72x78 

(Carver Hill Gallery)

Painting from America's website

Also from America's website 


America's command of color and line fascinate me.

As much as I can't even imagine having the talent to paint in such a detailed style as Fatima Ronquillo, I am equally amazed at the ease at which America captures the spirit of the human form and personality in what appear to be so few strokes.


This is a new piece at Wally Workman - oh how I love it. 

"Siren in a Sea Cave" 

Finally, another new piece at Wally Workman,

"Joy II"




I love following these artists and hope you have enjoyed this update.

 What you think? What kind of art speaks to you? Do you buy art you just love, or do you tend to buy art to fit a space or a certain decor? 

I love talking about art, so let me hear from you! 


As always, thank you so much for reading Hill Country House, and happy Sunday!!








 

New Blog Friend and Favorite Artist, Jon Flaming

A while ago, I posted here about on of my favorite artists, Jon Flaming. Yesterday I received an email from Jon about someone else who is crazy for his work. Lucky girl, Brooke, of Pure and Noble ,  knows Jon and his cute wife, Kathy, on a much more personal basis than I. She gets to go to their home and hang out with them! She posted some wonderful photos, thanks to her helpful husband, and you should really visit here and read the whole story. You will not be disappointed!

Isn't this a wonderful banner for her blog? Guess what? Jon designed it. He is not only an very talented creator of fine art, but owner of his own multidisciplinary firm creating amazing graphics and brands for lots and lots of folks.........I'm talking big dogs like Pizza Hut, American Airlines, Neiman Marcus. This guy is good. Learn more about him here
and HERE.

Texas Artist Jon Flaming

Although Fredericksburg, Texas is relatively small - population about 10,000 - we have some pretty impressive cultural events around town. Art and music are very popular here. From an adult or children's choir performance, to piano recitals, to honky tonkin' with Waylon and Willie and the boys in Luckenbach, there is seldom a weekend without an event of some sort celebrating the arts. The local art galleries have started a first Friday of the month "Art Walk", staying open late and encouraging tourists as well as locals to visit the galleries all along Main Street.

Farm House, Late Night 2008

Several years ago I attended the Cherry Springs Festival , benefiting the incredibly talented singing group, Canto, at the home of local philanthropists Diane and Harlan Stai. The Stais own a gorgeous historical estate, "Mansfeldt" just a few miles outside of town. They are very generous with their home and host many events there.

Old Church Near Stephenville, Texas 2007

A very special group of artists, represented by the David Dike Gallery in Dallas, displayed their work for the weekend. A cocktail reception was held on the Friday evening of the event and it was there that I had the pleasure of meeting Dallas graphic designer and artist Jon Flaming.

Feed Store, West Texas

2007

Jon is a multi disciplined illustrator and graphic designer. His website is wonderful and shows great examples of his work, including advertising for Neiman Marcus, Blockbuster Video, Pepsi, and Dell, to name just a few.

Indian 2007

Of course, it was his fine art that captured my heart. I am a big fan of some of the Texas artists of the early to mid century, and while Jon admires and respects these same artists, he definitely has his own style.

Texas Farmer 2007

Jon captures the spirit of small towns in Texas as well as the culture and personality of the people. His figurative paintings remind me of another favorite Texas artist, David Bates, but Jon has his own definitive style.

Final Resting Place 2007

His bold strokes and use of rich color draw me to his work. His subtle comment on life and culture are found in the painting as well as the title. Love the title of this one - "Final Resting Place".

..........and this one, "When Will the Rain Come". 2008

Ranch House with Red Screen Door 2007

This is the painting I came home with that night. It reminds me of the little red farmhouse we lived in when we moved to Fredericksburg in 1995. Unfortunately, we did not have a river running through our property, but the hills, the cactus, the cow, and yes, the red screen door......he captures the feel beautifully.

I have since had the opportunity to see Jon's work at the 2008 festival and to meet his cute wife, Kathy. She is equally as engaging and interesting as Jon and I hope to see them again this spring.

Koffee Kup, Hico, Texas 2006

On the drive back from Dallas last fall, I stopped in at a favorite shop in Hico, Texas. Blue Star Trading has done an incredible renovation on a old building in downtown Hico. They have an array of home furnishings, clothing, books and gifts and a small, but spectacular collection of art. It is always a delightful distraction and nice break from the five hour drive.

Antique Store, Hico, Texas
2006

To my surprise and pleasure, I stumbled across a couple of paintings that Jon had done a few years ago, before I was aware of his work. The one above is indeed, a little antique shop in Hico. This IS what the buildings look like and they all have that wonderful feel of old Texas small towns.

The one above it captures the spirit of the Koffee Kup diner in Hico where many, many folks stop to eat, or at least have a piece of pie, while driving through, only to wait for a table while the locals finish up their Sunday after church dinner. I later told Jon I love how the waitress's hair looks like the meringue on the pies !

Jon is as gracious and generous as he is talented. Not long after I met him, I was on the art acquisition committee for a fundraiser for my daughter's school and called him to ask for a small donation for our event. He gladly donated the above painting and it was all I could do not to bid on it myself and bring it home with me!

Jon will be participating in a group show this spring at Williams Reaves Fine Art in Houston. The show will preview the weekend of May 15-16, with an artist reception on May 22-23, and a gallery talk on the weekend of May 29-30. For specific times and directions, contact the gallery at 713-521-7500 or check the website.

To see more of Jon's work or for more information about him, visit David Dike gallery or Jon's website here. Enjoy!