Where My People Live
30 x 40 Acrylic on Canvas
Looking at the row of houses, you would think, "oh, that's the Heights, or Bellaire, or Magnolia Park." I showed a picture of this painting to a man, he stated "Oh, that's Portland, Oregon." I show the same picture to a woman, she stated "Oh my, that's London, England." In actuality, this place does not exist. Its inspiration is from the East Side of Houston. With the title "Where My People Live, " you would think I was talking about my race or culture. My race, yes. The Human Race, and like the colors of paint on my palette, you will find my people in houses like these.
Texas Coastline
16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
A friend of mine allowed me the use of his beach house. For me, it was a mini vacation. That time for me , to hear the crashing of the waves, the sounds of seagull, and people watching , inspired me to do this painting. So with my paint brushes, paint, and easel, I drew and painted different beach houses at random. I am a water person. I love the water like I love life, and I am so please to share this vision with you.
The Trip
16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
When I was a boy, I used to dream of getting into a car, and driving from Houston to Los Angeles. Well in the summer of 2003 my dram came true. A group of friends and I rented a van and started from my house on the eastside, to north to Dallas. Hitting places like Oklahoma City, and the famous Route 66 into Gallop and Albuquerque, NM, and on to Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The painting is my first night scene. It captures a little bit of a city visit, mostly Albuquerque, NM.
Midnight Express at Avenue B
16 x 20 Acrylic on Canvas
The railroad track by Avenue B is one of the railroad lines that go to and from the port of Houston. I was driving around my neighborhood, looking for an image to draw and paint. I love trains and this is my second night scene. Enjoy.
Building a City With my Father
24 x 30 Acrylic on Canvas
In the summer of 1979 and 1980, I spent working with my dad in his business. What he did for a living was grade yards and foundations for new development and subdivision. He later started a dump truck business.
With the tools of his trade, a tractor, a box blade, and his signature cowboy hat, he would take a pile of sand and evenly and fully cover the yard or foundation. He called this technique "coloring." He was an artist and a jack of all trades.
The house in the painting is where I live on the East Side of Houston.
A Woman Name Laura
30 x 40 Acrylic on Canvas
She was a twin, born to a field worker and his wife in the fall of October 30, 1926. The family, having to struggle putting food on the table and dealing with the loss of her twin brother, had been uprooted from a small town in Oklahoma and settled in the city of Monterrey, Mexico. She loved to sing, and sing she could. Her favorite flower was the gardenia. She had a great sense of humor. She lived with her family until she was old enough to work with her sister in Houston. She met my father in Galveston, in 1951, and later that year, they were married. She became mother to a teacher, a cowgirl, a legal secretary, and an artist. She managed on her own to teach herself to read, write, and speak English. After a lot of practice, and having to ask the neighbor for help getting the family car out of the ditch, she received her driver's license. When her marriage of 25 years ended, she threw her energy into prayer. She was a strong woman, never did I see her cry. She was the type of person who did not believe in self pity, but looked for ways to help others. The last six months of her life were difficult, both physically and emotionally for me and my siblings. The last time I saw my mother, who was unable to speak, her body lying motionless. Her eyes gazed at me and she slowly managed to raise her hand. I fell to the ground with tears in my eyes and caressed her hand with my face. The last words I said to here "I Love You," the same words I said to my father a year and a half earlier before he passed. At her grave site, her brother played and sang, accompanied by two other men with guitars in beautiful harmony singing "Vaya con Dios mi Hija" (Go with God my Daughter). There was not one dry eye present. After the service, people who showed their respects, started to leave. One by one cars started to leave the driveway until it was me standing alone in the driveway. As the day drew to a close, I was greeted by the most beautiful, clear sunset I ever laid my eyes upon. It was the perfect signature to the end of a beautiful life. This is the story of a woman, a woman named Laura.
The Crane at Elwood
30 x 40 Acrylic on Canvas
Ever since I moved to the east side in the spring of 2001, I can't help but notice the simple beauty that surrounds us all, but due to the daily affairs of Life, it is hard to set aside time and to take notice of what's around us. While walking my dog on our daily walk, I noticed a big orange crane sitting on the edge of the bank of the river. To me it looked like a sculpture with the arm stretched out as though it was about to leap into a dance. I follow through with a couple of sketches, and behold what you see on the wall.
Lawndale Over Wayside
30 x 40 Acrylic on Canvas
Every morning when I drive to work, I take Wayside south to I-45. Before I get to the freeway, I come to the intersection of Wayside and Lawndale. From all walks of life, people pass through the crossways, carrying on with their daily affairs. I just happen to be the one to stop my truck and take a look as life happens. With this painting, you see a reflection of the intersection. If you drive, or come to the intersection of Lawndale of Wayside, then perhaps you will think about this painting.
Dream Beach
12 x 16 Acrylic on Canvas
I have found my dream beach. When I painted "Dream Beach" in 2006, it was only an idea that came from my heart. Then I visited Maui in 2008 and I found out from the locals that there was a beach that resembled the print. It was about 1/2 mile from my hotel.
Mahalo means Thank You. I want to thank the beautiful people of Hawaii and the wonderful folks at the Hana Youth Center and Hana Coast Gallery for their warm reception and hospitality during my stay. Mahalo!
High Island, Texas
20 x 48 Acrylic on Canvas
The town of High Island sits on a Salt Dome thirty-eight feet above sea level. It features two bird sanctuaries, a nearby fishing pier and oil wells encircling the town. On a clear day, you can see porpoises swimming, shrimp boats casting nets and even during the day-light you can see a full moon. one day, while I was driving on the beach, I noticed a white owl that was flying a the same speed as I was driving. It suddenly swooped down and alighted and I stopped my truck to see what it had caught. The owl kept turning his head, looking around, till it took flight to reveal a huge great rat in his talons. This was on of the inspirations for this painting.
