David Bates: The Katrina Paintings at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art- Kansas City

Texas artist David Bates has long been one of my favorites.  Like so many of us, he was deeply moved by Hurricane Katrina and began sketching the New Orleans residents he saw on television news almost immediately. He spent the next several years painting scenes of the aftermath and created many large portraits of the grieving faces he had witnessed.   His work became a chronicle of the suffering and  damage done by the storm.

I am counting the days until the weekend trip my husband and I have planned to see the exhibition David Bates: the Katrina Paintings, at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art 
in Kansas City.

Photo from MW Capacity blog

David's paintings are compelling and spiritual. While I have admired his work for many years, I now have a new respect for his realistic and narrative style. His work reminds me of Picasso and another favorite of mine, Marsden Hartley.
I can hardly wait to experience this series in person.

Photo from Arthur Roger Gallery



There is tons of information on line on David's work, and particularly this series. If you are interested in doing a search,  this article is especially informative and to the point.


 Barbecue Man, a lithograph by David Bates, which hangs in my kitchen, was a gift of sorts years ago from Peregrine Press in Dallas. Unlike the Katrina series, this work brings a smile to one's face.

Peregrine Press is no longer in existence from what I have learned, but was at one time a great source for prints made by noted artists.

In Dallas, Mike Hart, a graduate of the print program at the University of North Texas, founded Peregrine Press with his wife Jo Ann in 1981. For the next ten years, the Harts invited many of the most accomplished artists in Texas, including eighty-three-year-old Otis Dozier, to create editions in their facility. Others who created editions at Peregrine include John Alexander, Eric Avery, Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Bates, Linda and Ed Blackburn, Derek Boshier, Earl Staley and Judy Youngblood. Peregrines high-quality editions gave these artists a first-class printmaking experience and built an informed print audience statewide. The Harts eventually retired, donating their equipment to the Print Research Institute of North Texas in Denton

Reference
Art Lies: Art quarterly


I so look forward to visiting Kansas City and experiencing this amazing collection of work. I will report back!

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!