Artists in the Texas Hill Country have a way of finding lovely places in which to hide away and make their art. Like so many such desirable regions, the Texas Hill Country hosts a significant number of serious artists—some with long, professional careers—who have their homes and studios here.
I am so glad that the authors of Artists in the Texas Hill Country have recognized such a wide variety of these dedicated creators. This book gives us a unique combination of artist’s portraits, studio views, insightful texts, and especially, the artist’s own writings about their works. This hard scrabble soil, juniper trees, and clear water is clearly providing some powerful mahoochie.
Mark L. Smith , Ph. D., Co-founder Flatbed Press, Austin Arts Hall of Fame Member
I am so glad that the authors of Artists in the Texas Hill Country have recognized such a wide variety of these dedicated creators. This book gives us a unique combination of artist’s portraits, studio views, insightful texts, and especially, the artist’s own writings about their works. This hard scrabble soil, juniper trees, and clear water is clearly providing some powerful mahoochie.
Mark L. Smith , Ph. D., Co-founder Flatbed Press, Austin Arts Hall of Fame Member
As an artist I can say that one of the hardest things to do when starting out is to call oneself an artist. It is especially rewarding to have someone else call you an artist. Don Minnick, Jan Fitzhugh and Jim McJunkin have done a wonderful thing here. They have, in a heartfelt way, acknowledged and celebrated us, artists, by bringing forth the stories and work of our accomplished brothers and sisters for all to ponder and enjoy. Thanks!
Kevin Tully, Gallery Director - A Smith Gallery
Kevin Tully, Gallery Director - A Smith Gallery
In this colorful and carefully curated book, Don Minnick, Jim McJunkin and Jan Fitzhugh give thirty-
seven Texas Hill Country artists, primarily based in or around Wimberley, Texas an altogether different
voice to explain their creative impulses, the things that drive them, and ignite within them the spirit to
imagine. The authors allow the artists to tell their own stories with accompanying photos, and all of them
are entertaining and revealing. Through their own words, we get to know who is represented by the
signature on a drawing, a painting or a photograph, and we get to see them at work in the studios where
they pursue their passion of making art and connection, in the words of the authors, “the most human of
all our intentions.” This is the first book in a series that will follow a similar format for others in the
creative realm. If the subsequent books in the series are like this volume, they will be valuable additions
to the bookshelves of all of us who appreciate art as well as strong, interesting narratives.
Carroll Wilson, award-winning writer and editor
seven Texas Hill Country artists, primarily based in or around Wimberley, Texas an altogether different
voice to explain their creative impulses, the things that drive them, and ignite within them the spirit to
imagine. The authors allow the artists to tell their own stories with accompanying photos, and all of them
are entertaining and revealing. Through their own words, we get to know who is represented by the
signature on a drawing, a painting or a photograph, and we get to see them at work in the studios where
they pursue their passion of making art and connection, in the words of the authors, “the most human of
all our intentions.” This is the first book in a series that will follow a similar format for others in the
creative realm. If the subsequent books in the series are like this volume, they will be valuable additions
to the bookshelves of all of us who appreciate art as well as strong, interesting narratives.
Carroll Wilson, award-winning writer and editor
If “Art” can claim any commonality, it’s the layers of light and insight the artists are able to imbue within their medium of choice. As art’s Audience we recognize a piece as art by the presence of these subtle and bold layers and revel in the tactile process of probing for the hidden corners that allow us to peel layers back to reveal the work’s essence, its’ truth reflected in our own lives. Artists of the Texas Hill Country offers readers... its’ Audience... joyful surprises as the artists and authors peel layers from not only works of art, but also the artists themselves.
I share these cedar choked limestone hills and tree lined waters with these and other artists and authors. I am proud to call some of the highlighted artists my friends while others are new to me. And that, dear readers, is one of the enduring surprises of the Texas Hill Country... the many often hidden layers of community within the folds of these hills where you can both share broad open vistas and embrace intimate solitude. My appreciation to all these artists and to the authors for their “Art” of presentation, revealed layer upon layer, page by page.
David Bisett
I share these cedar choked limestone hills and tree lined waters with these and other artists and authors. I am proud to call some of the highlighted artists my friends while others are new to me. And that, dear readers, is one of the enduring surprises of the Texas Hill Country... the many often hidden layers of community within the folds of these hills where you can both share broad open vistas and embrace intimate solitude. My appreciation to all these artists and to the authors for their “Art” of presentation, revealed layer upon layer, page by page.
David Bisett
‘The Texas Hill Country imbues a creative spirit all its own. At last, there is a book that honors its palpable artistic energy, while pulling back the curtain on the stories behind its magic, intrigue, and soul through the lens of the artists who call this enchanting corner of the earth home.’
Erin Clare, Director: Inward & Artward, Asheville, North Carolina
Erin Clare, Director: Inward & Artward, Asheville, North Carolina