Where the West Begins
Where the West Begins
Fort Worth Preservation Show 2018
Tomorrow is the turn in date for the jFort Worth Preservation Art Show. Being on of my favorite places to paint I have 8 paintings of some of my favorite subjects in Fort Worth. My miniature entries are of neon signs that are lighted day and night a are so iconic of the images we all treasure from Fort Worth. Texan’s love their music and 95.9 FM is devoted to the Sound of Texas. It’s sign leaves no doubt about it’s signature programing.
The elaborate signs in the Historic Stockyards give it a very special ambiance. I was is New York City recently and was dismayed to find that all of the glitz of flashing lights and warmth of neon signage has been replaced with giant TV screens.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Some of; these stores in the Stockyards date from the 20’s and thirties. Riscky’s, Leddy Boots and Hunter Brothers H3 Ranch Restaurant all have colorful histories. Leddy’s has ledgers that list all of the owners of their handmade one of kind creations. You can look up the date and read when it was created by number in on of these books. Risky’s has been serving visitors for over 60 years.
My entry for “Stories of the City” is a studio rendition of a plein air sketch that I did of Exchange Street early one morning. No where else that I know of can you find Taxis one moment and a heard of Longhorn cattle complete with cowboys on horses the next. Forth Worth is proud to preserve it’s heritage, but it is a very busy city with lots of emphasis on are and music - not just western music. The Bass Hall brings the besst of the best to the west in fine fashion. I painted one of the stone
angels that adorn the facade of the building. They are one of my favorite images of Fort Worth!. There are many sites where historic buildings, architecture and art are combined with contemporary versions of the same. The skyline of Ft. Worth - coming from the Stockyards south to downtown is one such place.
One Saturday morning I found a Yoga class beneath the mural of a cattle drive in Sundance Square. The skyline of Ft. Worth - coming from the Stockyards south to downtown is also such a place. One of the wonderful things about Ft Worth is that it has kept the feeling of an intimate community while taking on the trappings of a much larger city.
I was leaving the Stockyards one late afternoon and discovered that the Main Street was under construction.
The sun was setting and semaphores were noisily clanging as an oil tank train went by. Because of the construction I could stop and take it all in - which is not possible usually. The Historic Courthouse was in the foreground and the cities skyscrapers reflected the light behind it. What a glorious site of a city known for its commerce, history and mystique.