Portfolio | Texas Talent

Meet 10 artists who hail from the Lone Star State

This story was featured in the March/April 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art March/April 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.

Sally Maxwell

What inspires you to create art? Life! I love observing and interpreting interactions of
all kinds.
How would you describe your style? Ultrarealism. Many have referred to it as “high-definition drawing.”
How did you first get interested in art? I have been interested since I was a child but never considered myself an artist until I became an adult and found I could make money from it.
Where did you study art? Monmouth College as well as Barrington High School, which had an art department that rivaled most colleges. But my medium of scratchboard was totally self-taught.
What is your creative process like? I enjoy working on a subject that speaks to me personally or has a message that I want to convey to the masses. I normally sift through a massive supply of my own reference photos until one hits me.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Meeting or studying under many of my heroes from my early years in commercial art. Most importantly, on two occasions I was able to observe Robert Bateman for a week at a time while he showed us his creative process.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I love my photo safaris, whether here in the U.S. or abroad. When I am at home, I love my vegetable garden. The joy that comes from watching a plant grow to harvest is only outmatched by the flavor it gives me once it is on my plate!
Where can collectors find your work? Manitou Galleries, Santa Fe, NM; Marcus Ashley Fine Art Gallery, South Lake Tahoe, CA; Mountain Trails Gallery, Jackson, WY; Maxwell’s Art Gallery, Round Top, TX; www.sallymaxwell.com.

Lynn Samis

What inspires you to create art? I am inspired to tell the stories of my subjects. As they begin to reveal themselves, I often find that their stories and my story are somehow connected, which further inspires me.
How would you describe your style? I call it impressionistic realism. When I paint, I have three people in mind: the person in the painting, the person viewing the painting, and me, the painter. My hope is for a meaningful encounter between all three parties.
Where did you study art? I have studied with many talented artists. All of these teachers have broadened my perspective and helped me discover new methods to help me express myself.
What is your creative process like? My paintings are sometimes inspired by old photos taken by my grandfather in 1923 on a trip around the world. But as I layer in paint, texturing as I go, they seem to come to life and take me on a slightly different journey.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Showing at Acosta-Strong Fine Art on Canyon Road in Santa Fe has been a recent highlight for me. Getting to know and study under some truly remarkable artists is another one. However, knowing that people all around the country are enjoying my art is my greatest highlight.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I love being with my family; my husband, our four grown children, their spouses, and their children give me great joy. I love spending time outdoors, usually walking our dog, skiing, hiking, fishing, or just relaxing. Reading and writing are also favorite activities.
Where can collectors find your work? Acosta-Strong Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM; www.lynnsamisart.com.

Tammy Lynne Penn

What inspires you to create art? Being with my animals—riding horses, flying my hawks or falcon to hunt, watching our dogs work with them—and the beauty of the canyon we live near.
How would you describe your style? Eclectic. I love the freedom and spontaneity of working in clay that I raku fire. But I also appreciate the precision and detail I can achieve with oil-based clays used for the bronze-casting process.
Where did you study art? At the University of Northern Colorado and the Loveland Fine Art Academy as well as in various other seminars with professional artists.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? I sculpted a larger-than-life-size reining-horse stallion for a client that was a big deal for me; I’ve done more life-size pieces since, but that one remains special. Winning some Best of Show awards is always a thrill as well. Having my pieces go to collections in other countries is also very special.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? Riding and showing cutting horses; riding for pleasure; hunting my hawks and falcon; training my owl; working with my cow dog for cow dog Rodear competitions.
Where can collectors find your work? Adobe Western Art Gallery, Fort Worth, TX; Beartooth Gallery, Red Lodge, MT; Chisholm Gallery, Wellington, FL; Ghost Horse Gallery, Silverton, TX; Pacific Sculpture Gallery, Newport Beach, CA; Spirits in the Wind Gallery, Golden, CO; T.H. Brennen Fine Art Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ; www.tammylynnepenn.com.

Joyce Hooper

What inspires you to create art? I’m all into storytelling! Simple, everyday, family life inspires me.
How would you describe your style? I would be considered a realist, but I am adventurous, so I also dabble in impressionism, abstraction, and plein-air painting.
How did you first get interested in art? Strolling through town one day, I passed a store with a huge glass window that held a winter scene with deer on canvas. I loved it, but because I was a stay-at-home mom raising five girls, I knew I couldn’t afford it. But I thought someday I could own a painting like that if I learned to paint.
Where did you study art? I have taken classes from excellent artists and teachers, but I didn’t really “get it” until I was on my own, so you might say I am self-taught.
What is your creative process like? Because I paint from photos, my creative process starts with my camera. Once I’m at the easel, I usually begin with my focal point.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? When my audience is so moved by my work that it stops them in their tracks, that’s a highlight moment. Also, I have won many awards, including Best of Show at the Texas State Fair in Dallas and the East Texas State Fair in Tyler. I am a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society and the Portrait Society of America.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? My spare time is filled with crafts such as crocheting, sewing, and canning.
Where can collectors find your work? www.joycehooperartist.com

William Carrington

What inspires you to create art? My inspiration is definitely found in nature and the wildlife I encounter. I often find humor in some of the animals’ efforts to survive, especially in avoiding prey.
How would you describe your style? Many people describe my style as whimsical. It is not meant to be perfectly accurate but rather to capture the exaggerated movements animals often make to avoid life’s dangers.
How did you first get interested in art? I grew up with a father who was a talented architect and artist. His friends were like family to me, especially the late artists Phil Evett and Cecil Casebier. They inspired me to appreciate art in all forms.
Where did you study art? I earned a degree in graphics from Southwest Texas State University back in the 1980s. I worked as a production artist for years but burned out. Then I earned a master’s from Trinity University and taught elementary school for 15 years. Eventually I began sculpting.
What is your creative process like? I simply think of an idea and start pushing the clay around. It usually works out, but sometimes in a different direction than I originally thought.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I like to hunt and fish because it gets me outdoors. I also love spending time traveling with my wife and two children, who are 21 and 16 years old.
Where can collectors find your work? Parchman Stremmel Gallery, San Antonio, TX; Hunt Gallery, San Antonio, TX; Worrell Gallery, Santa Fe, NM; www.carringtonsculpture.com.

Cathy Lubke

What inspires you to create art? Evidence of early Native Americans has inspired my paintings. There are discoveries of arrowheads, grindstones, and pictographs in abundance in the area where I live.
How would you describe your style? My style is to depict my impressions of the past but rendered in elements of contemporary design. I use strong color to contrast the past and the present.
How did you first get interested in art? I have always had an interest in painting and drawing.
Where did you study art? I have a bachelor’s degree in art from Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX, and in addition, I have studied with many well-known artists.
What is your creative process like? My creative process begins with a lot of research by attending historical reenactments and other similar events. I also read historical accounts of Native Americans.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? I have participated in many national juried art shows including those put on by Oil Painters of America, the National Watercolor Society, and the Texas Watercolor Society; I was part of a small show at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts; and I have had two openings at Houshang’s Gallery in Santa Fe.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? When I’m not painting, l love all family activities, traveling, exploring the outdoors, reading, and cooking.
Where can collectors find your work? Houshang’s Gallery, Santa Fe, NM; Raul Ruiz Gallery, San Angelo, TX.

John Maisano

What inspires you to create art? I’ve always been intrigued by the designs I’ve seen on museum objects, and I love nature and animals, so com-bining those elements has provided an endless supply of inspiration.
How did you first get interested in art? As a child I created with just about anything I could find. The move into sculpture came later in life, by accident. While looking at dinosaur tracks here in Austin, I was approached to create a life-size dinosaur. I had never sculpted but decided to seize the opportunity; my first sculpture is the centerpiece of the Hartman Prehistoric Garden in Austin’s Zilker Botanical Garden.
What is your creative process like? I usually begin with a quick sketch—sometimes just a line that has a certain movement or shape. I then create a small study sculpture in soft clay to see if I like the idea. Then I’ll move to creating a larger piece and fleshing out the details.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? One of my coolest pieces resides in front of the museum at the University of Texas at Austin—a larger-than-life sabertooth. I created a soldier for Camp Swift in Bastrop, TX. Most recently, I finished an eagle with a 10-foot wingspan for Veterans Park in Leander, TX—my largest and probably best sculpture to date.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I have a day job working with scientists to create exhibits and illustrate their discoveries for scientific journals.
Where can collectors find your work? Exposures International, Sedona, AZ; Worrell Gallery, Santa Fe, NM; Russell Collection, Austin, TX; www.maisanoart.com.

Bridget Wolk

What inspires you to create art? Life is extraordinary and endlessly fascinates me. I often challenge myself to paint everyday things in an exciting way. HARD-WORKING DAD came about when I saw my husband’s worn steel-toe work boots, and that image translated into a painting that depicted how much I appreciate his sacrifices for our family.
How would you describe your style? I love creating a representational painting with an impressionistic feel and expressive brushwork.
How did you first get interested in art? My love for art began with doodling in the margins of my schoolwork at an early age. While getting a business marketing degree at the University of Texas, an elective art class reminded me of my need to be creative.
Where did you study art? My second degree was in graphic design and illustration from the Art Institute of Houston. And I have been fortunate to study with artists including Huihan Liu, Carolyn Anderson, Derek Penix, and Daniel Gerhartz.
What is your creative process like? I take many photos, and when I am ready to paint, I look at them and see what inspires and excites me at that moment. I also like to work from models whenever possible.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Teaching oil painting to adults for the past 18 years at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston has been the biggest highlight.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I juggle many interests including international travel, scuba diving, cooking, yoga, and most importantly, my family and friends.
Where can collectors find your work? I have a show in May at MDPC Community Gallery, Houston, TX. My work is also shown at www.bridgetwolk.com.

Cody Vance

What inspires you to create art? What doesn’t, really? Cruising around town or out in the countryside, I’m seeing with my eyes, but at the same time my brain is picking out color, light, shadow, and form. The artist within never sleeps.
How would you describe your style? Evolving. I’ve been carving stone now for 11 years, and I naturally lean toward abstract design. This was a huge surprise starting out; for much of my life I had been strictly a two-dimensional artist using reference photographs.
How did you first get interested in art? I can’t remember not needing to create something at some level.
Where did you study art? I have always learned from observation and experimentation.
What is your creative process like? My favorite way to start a new sculpture is to set up the stone where I can walk around it and see where the natural lines are. My job is to dig out the personality and let it breathe.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? Being recognized as the Department of Defense’s Military Graphic Artist of the Year three years in a row, just before I retired from the Air Force, was pretty cool. I had a one-man show when I turned 50 and was able to display 32 years’ worth of work. My recent highlight is helping to start an art program for veterans.
Where can collectors find your work? Our home is my gallery; we own a gorgeous 1920 Craftsman in San Antonio, and we invite collectors to schedule a visit. My website is www.codyvancesculpture.com.

Mary Frankel

How would you describe your style? My style is contemporary representational, but I don’t mind if some impressionism works its way into my paintings.
How did you first get interested in art? Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have been very fortunate over the years to live in places where I could learn from some great teachers and paint with other good artists.
Where did you study art? I studied art, design, and graphics at Oklahoma State University Technical Institute for a degree in landscape architecture. I have many painting and drawing workshops under my belt, as well as life-drawing labs.
What is your creative process like? If I am doing a painting with multiple figures, I will create a storyboard—sketch two or three ideas and do a few color studies. I will then take a break and come back to it later. Developing an eye with which to look over your own work is invaluable.
What have been some of the highlights of your career? One of my career highlights is a recent commission I did for the restaurant Bird & Jim in Estes Park, CO.
When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I spend a lot of time in the mountains kayaking, hiking, camping, horseback riding, or backpacking—and usually getting ideas for the next painting.
Where can collectors find your work? Adobe Western Art Gallery, Fort Worth, TX; www.maryfrankel.com.

This story was featured in the March/April 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art March/April 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.

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