The Art Lover’s Guide to Collecting Fine Art In Texas

The Downtown Austin skyline from Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk. Courtesy VisitAustin.

From Austin and Houston to Fredericksburg and San Antonio and everywhere in-between, the state of Texas has a dynamic array of regions to visit—meaning a dynamic array of fine art as well. Each of these cities has a truly unique cultural experience that includes events, galleries and museums that entice art collectors at every turn.

Houston, for instance, boasts the Houston Museum District with 19 museums, ranging from history museums and science centers to fine art institutions, in four walkable zones. Among them are Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Lawndale Art Center and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, which all have individual schedules of exhibitions and permanent collections that are well-curated and tuned to specific interests. Also calling Houston home are a number of fine art galleries and the annual Texas Contemporary fine art fair, which brings dealers from around the world to the George R. Brown Convention Center for a weekend of art. The show, next happening October 8 to 11, capitalizes on the city’s collector base by presenting contemporary and modern art from 75 exhibitors.

Fredericksburg, located in Texas Hill Country, is a picturesque town with more than a dozen galleries, art studio tours, art schools and the First Friday Art Walk Fredericksburg. The galleries in the area often host events for national art groups, including the Oil Painters of America and the National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ Society, which draws in artists and art patrons alike.

The Dallas Arts District is one of the largest contiguous urban arts districts in the nation, located in the northeast corner of downtown Dallas. It spans 68 acres and 19 blocks and its mission is to “enhance the city’s creative and economic life by engaging artistic, education and commercial neighbors through excellent design, practices and programs.” The highlight of the District is its Signature Block Party Series, which includes two free public events supporting cultural venues. The city also has a fine art fair that is of interest to collectors: Dallas Art Fair. The event, taking place April 16 to 19, happens at the Fashion Industry Gallery in the Dallas Art District and is focused on modern and contemporary works in thoughtfully curated exhibitions from dealers around the world.

Calling Texas home is the Artists of Texas group, which has annual shows in different galleries throughout the state; Holder Dane Gallery in Grapevine; RS Hanna Gallery in Fredericksburg; and lifelong resident Vickie Guthrie, who focuses her art on still lifes and regional landscapes.

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RS Hanna Gallery
244 W. Main Street, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
(830) 307-3071
info@rshannagallery.com, www.rshannagallery.com

RS Hanna Gallery opened in 2011 and features work from more than 60 artists.

RS Hanna Gallery, Vulcan, oil, 9 x 12", by David Cheifetz.

RS “Shannon” Hanna has an experienced eye for art. She worked with G. Harvey’s family gallery for a dozen years before co-founding InSight Gallery for a year, then moving on to open RS Hanna Gallery in 2011. Supporting fine working artists from her group of 60, plus the work of artists from all over the country in juried national competitions, is her driving focus in bringing artist and collector together.

“Art is one of those things that continues to intrigue long after its first encounter, a world of images that finely focuses us into remembrance of who we are. So in that real sense, the market never goes away, but is always alive and well.”—RS “Shannon” Hanna, owner, RS Hanna Gallery

“What we hold beautiful carries us through the fray, unnoticed for the most part, until it leaves us,” says Hanna. “Art is one of those things that continues to intrigue long after its first encounter, a world of images that finely focuses us into remembrance of who we are. So in that real sense, the market never goes away, but is always alive and well.”

The gallery features artists who have appeared on national covers and in articles and are winners of prestigious awards. Among them are John Cook, John Austin Hanna, Jeff Legg, Hodges Soileau, Elizabeth Pollie, Denise LaRue Mahlke, Robert A. Johnson, Kevin Beilfuss, Marc Hanson, Bryce Cameron Liston, Ezra Tucker, Jason Scull, Jennifer McChristian, David Cheifetz and Christine Drewyer, to name a few. New at the gallery are artists Jeff Gottfried, Barbara Mauldin, Chuck Mauldin, Kris Henderson, Arthur McCall, John DeFrance, Kathryn Galbraith, Bob Bradshaw and Cheryl Koen. RS Hanna Gallery, Rain On Windshield, Morning Commute, oil, 16 x 16", by Dianne Massey Dunbar.

Through March 31 the gallery will host the solo show Facing Fredericksburg for Pam Ingalls, and through April 4 is the American Impressionist Society exhibition Impressions. May 15 through June 13 the gallery hosts the Oil Painters of America’s 29th National Juried Exhibition.

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Holder Dane Gallery & Artists Studios
701 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Grapevine, TX 76051
(817) 488-6822
www.holderdane.com

Holder Dane Gallery & Artists Studios, White Strand, pastel on paper, 20 x 30", by Robin Munro.

Holder Dane Gallery & Artists Studios is known for the unexpected variety of art and artists who bring both their visual and instructional expertise to the north Texas region. Located on Main Street in historic downtown Grapevine, the gallery is part of the vibrant attractions and events that draw visitors year-round.

Four resident artists work daily in the gallery studio: painters Donna Palmersheim and Deborah Allison and sculptors Pat Bodnyk and Natalie O’Neill. The majority of the gallery’s artists are local yet nationally acclaimed, including Ann Hardy, Marie Maines, Randy Saffle and Adam Schultz. All three have membership with a number of artists groups, including Oil Painters of America for Hardy; Pastel Society of America for Maines; the Outdoor Painters Society for Saffle, who is also the group’s vice president; and Schultz is an elected member of the National Sculpture Society.Holder Dane Gallery & Artists Studios, Incognito, bronze, 36 x 12 x 12", by Adam Schultz.

Artists recently joining the gallery include sculptor Philippe Faraut, a figurative artist who works in clay, metal and stone; painter Robin Munro, who works in watercolors and pastels; and guest artist Ralf Altrieth, who makes abstracted figures that standout among the more traditional art. Leo Franco, of Denver, brings another contemporary note with his wall sculptures made from Plexiglas, wood and metal.Holder Dane Gallery & Artists Studios, Urban Rhythm, Plexiglas, wood and metal, 30 x 30", by Leo Franco.

The gallery thrives on the diverse sales of both contemporary works and representational art, yet recently favors a trend toward impressionist styles. The family of artists that make up Holder Dane Gallery exemplifies the description of “a highly curated variety” of “unexpected visual delight.”

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Artists of Texas
info@artistsoftexas.org
www.artistsoftexas.org

Artists of Texas, The Blues, acrylic on panel, 16 x 20", by Rebecca Zook.

Expansive skies, quintessential Texas landscapes, dynamic equines, stunning florals, evocative portraits and rich abstracts are just some of the diverse subject matter art lovers can expect from the Artists of Texas. Style and medium are as wide ranging as the state itself. Every artist accepted into this juried organization has a proven, consistent body of work ensuring the quality when purchasing an artwork.Artists of Texas, The Three Graces, oil on canvas, 48 x 60", by Mark Nesmith.

Artists of Texas, Waitin’ For The Crew, watercolor, 18 x 18", by Tina Bohlman.

View Artists of Texas work in online shows and learn about each artist on their dedicated page on the group’s website. They also host annual shows at galleries throughout Texas. The next exhibition will be held at the Town Hall Gallery in Keller, Texas, from May 4 through June 24, and will feature more than 40 works from Artists of Texas members. Future group shows are also planned for the Texas Artists Museum in Port Arthur, Texas.

Featured artists for this month include Tina Bohlman, Ed Crumley, Julia Koutroulis, Ann McCann, Patsy Lindamood, Elizabeth Pearson Nesmith, Mark Nesmith, Laurie Pace, Neva Rossi, Melissa Torres and Rebecca Zook.

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Vickie Guthrie
(254) 396-4290
vruthg@hotmail.com
www.vickieguthrie.com

Vickie Guthrie, Lemon Harvest Time, pastel, 10 x 8"

Lifelong Texas artist Vickie Guthrie began painting 20 years ago. By participating in many workshops, she quickly gained knowledge and sped up the learning process. Her major influence came from oil/pastel artist Kaye Franklin, who focused on composition and color theory. Guthrie enjoys creating still life paintings with objets d’art from antique dealers and finds landscape inspiration from the backroads of Texas. Vickie Guthrie, Misty Morning Bluebonnets, pastel, 8 x 10"

“I thoroughly enjoy creating art. Painting is a continual process of problem solving,” says Guthrie. “Each decision you make affects the stroke before and the next stroke you’re about to make.”

Her work has been juried into the national Bosque Art Classic in Clifton, Texas. She and husband, George, live on acreage in rural Somervell County. —