BrownwoodNews – Art lovers of all ages may view the Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit February 10-23 at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center located at 600 E. Depot in Brownwood. Show hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Artwork that did not make the Stars of Texas Art Exhibit will be featured in the Salon des Refuses at the Brownwood Art Association Art Center, located at 215 Fisk Street during the above hours.
Demonstrations will also take place each day during exhibit hours from a variety of artists. There is no charge to enter the exhibit or attend the demonstrations.
Wednesday’s Artists:
1. Jonathan Ceniceros’ work is most often categorized by diverse subject matters and bright colors. Jonathan is a Howard Payne graduate with a bachelors in Art. For the last several years, Jonathan has taught middle school and high school art in San Antonio. Additionally, Jonathan has participated in past juried art shows, demonstrated for the Stars of Texas Juried Art Show, and has been a member of the Brownwood Art Association. Drawing, watercolor, and pastel are the mediums that Jonathan most works and demonstrates in. For Jonathan art is a way to express and share who he is with the world around him.
2. Robert Priddy: “Art for me began in my childhood. Through encouragement by my parents I learned to draw with the graphite pencil although no training was available. This skill lay dormant through most of my later life although it did show in some architectural drafting I did during my college career. Later while in the military I picked up another artistic craft, photography. During the years of raising a family and working, my artistic urges lay dormant. When digital photography happened I began to learn its skill requirements and through the encouragement of local artists I began to draw again with both graphite and color pencil. It’s good to be back in art.”
3. Betsy Johnson will be demonstrating painting with acrylics on rocks and gourds this year at the Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit.
Betsy has been called “The Queen of Abstract” for many years. She is known for her unique and unusual drawings and doodling since the 70’s.She loves painting pumpkins, gourds, rocks, wood, saw blades, clothing, and hats.
Betsy grew up in McCamey, Texas, where she started taking art at age 9. She learned oil painting, watercolors, sketching, and pen and ink. Later, while living in Odessa, she took classes in oil, rub out, and dimensional Indian pottery. She was a member of the Odessa Art Association for many years and designed paintings for wood and metal to display in American Handicrafts stores. She also served as a judge in the art department of the Permian Basin Fair in Odessa for many years, where she and her students won many awards. Her handprinted shirts, hats, cow skulls, and rocks were sold in shops at Sonora Caverns, Odessa, Cloudcroft, and Ruidosa.
Betsy later moved back to McCamey and opened the Blue Moon Art Shop. She taught 30-50 students a week from McCamey, Rankin, and Crane there for 22 years.
She moved to Brownwood in 1998 and began her work at the Boys and Girls Club in 1999, where she taught for nearly 19 years.. She and her art students there hand drew and colored goody bags that were given to veterans at the Brownwood and Bangs nursing homes. They also designed and sent numerous military cards and letters, an activity which rewarded both the young people and the receivers by helping all to feel special.
Betsy loves teaching young people because “They are so fun and excited about art and learning new things.” She adds, “Everyone should try art. It is rewarding and therapeutic” and “it is good for the soul.”
