It seems the heat of our Texas summer does not want to release it’s grip on us and let the cool winds of fall roll in. It’s been hot. But if the world endures, cooler air will come!
River Road Show, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Back in the excessive heat of August, for the second year I was juried into the Historic River Road Show, a National competition sponsored by the Art Guild of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Donna and I decided to attend the awards Reception in late August. Maybe it was really the pull of the Boudin balls or the Crawdad Etouffee that made us embark on the road trip, but we are always up for an adventure into southern Louisiana.
The awards Judge, Marc Hanson, blessed me with an honorable mention for a small Casein work titled “The Least of These”. I am grateful for the award and the work the Art Guild of Louisiana puts into this show. Last year, 2025, I was blessed with a second place award for an oil painting titled “Windows of Heaven”, awarded by juror Calvin Liang.
The roots of this show date back to the mid-20th Century. The Mississippi River Parkway Commission originally held an annual art competition as part of it’s national convention. The original competition featured the works of featured artist from states bordering the Mississippi River and two Canadian provinces, with the final multi-state competition held in St. Louis. By the 1970’s the regional organizations phased out their involvement. However, the Art Guild of Louisiana maintained the tradition and the show was transformed into the “River Road Show, A National Juried Exhibition”.
As always with we travel the backroads, I came across several interesting photo opportunities whose subjects will eventually make their way into a work of art… or at least that’s the plan 😊
October, 2026 – Dutch Art Gallery Fresh Off the Easel Competition
I have several works hanging in the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas. Every year the Gallery host a competition called “Fresh Off the Easel”. This show is presently hanging (show ends November 21, 2026) and this past weekend the gallery hosted the awards reception. I was honored with a 2nd Place award for an Oil painting titled “The Art Collector”. I love to paint works that tell a story or cause the viewer to wonder what it going on at the particular time and place that was captured on canvas. Here are some of my thoughts on this piece – “We are people made in the image of God to create, build and design, and we collect those works of art created by fellow “creators”. It doesn’t matter if we pay thousands or if we find our “art” in a discarded pile of stuff laying by the side of the road – We create and collect!”
1st place honors for this show went to Richell Castellon for his work “Travel to New York”, and 3rd place went to Mark Gates for a beautiful oil painting called “Standing Watch”.
If you are ever in the White Rock area of Dallas or make a special trip- look up the gallery. This large and well-established gallery (celebrating 60 years in operation this year) has a huge selection of works from various accomplished artists.
Paint Historic Waxahachie Plein Air Competition and Sale!
Waxahachie, Texas is a small town that is rich in Texas history. Every year the Ellis County Art Association sponsors the “Paint Historic Waxahachie” Plein Air Competition and Sale. A number of artists converge on the town to paint the landscapes and historic buildings; the artist paint for a week and all the Plein Air works are displayed in the Ellis County Women’s Building to be judged for the competition and all are available to purchase. No AI here folks! Only original paintings created on the streets of Waxahachie. If you are a collector, or just beginning to see the value in collecting ORIGINAL, hand painted works of art, this is a great opportunity to add to or begin those collections.
CALENDAR:
• Patrons’ Reception and Awards • November 6 • 6:00 p.m. til 9:00 p.m
• Exhibition Open to Public • November 7 and 8, 2026
LOCATION:
Ellis County Women’s Building
407 West Jefferson St.
Waxahachie, Texas 75165
More Work Available at these Galleries:
