Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs

Watch Lubbock Symphony Orchestra directed by Maestro David Cho with guest vocalist Hannah Jackson perform the fantastic DEBUT of “Fire in the Water,  Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs” composed by D.J. Sparr, lyrics by D.J. Sparr and Christopher J. Oglesby, inspired by the book by Christopher J. Oglesby. (video time-stamp will begin at 46:50/2:50:15)

This new symphonic performance, our “Ode to Love and Happiness“, is followed by Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, his glorious “Ode to Joy.”

press & photos (including lyrics & program notes)

News video – “Lubbock Symphony Orchestra opens 75th season inspired by Christopher J.Oglesby’s book” :
KCBD News Story by Kase Wilbanks

And some good follow-up press by Stacy Keith
of Lubbock Cultural Art Foundation HERE

From the program notes:

Buy The Book Here!

The author will sign & personalize your copy of the book, if you purchase

HERE.

Photos from the Debut & After-Party at Grey Edges

Educational Video

I am very thrilled that our music is part of this first-ever public educational video for elementary school students in Lubbock and beyond. Learn & enjoy!

Nov 5, 2021 – Lubbock First Friday Art Trail
20 original paintings: “West Texas Musicians & Artists.”*
by artist & author Christopher J. Oglesby

Hosted by Grey Edges Studio & Gallery, operated by Lubbock artist & professor Kelly Reyna;
a new dynamic force in the growing downtown Lubbock art scene, 1614 Mac Davis Lane.

Artist & Composer Reception
Friday November 12, 2021; 9:30pm til midnight..
Grey Edges, 1614 Mac Davis Lane

Christopher J. Oglesby, D.J. Sparr, Kelly Reyna, and Larry Simmons welcome all Lubbock musicians, artists, their spouses, friends, fans, and any various hangers-on to celebrate West Texas Music & Art with us at Grey Edges Studio & Gallery. 1614 Mac Davis Lane.
After the symphony debut, 9:30’ish/10:00 pm ’til midnight
Friday November 12, 2021
Limited numbered signed concert posters available at the reception; signed books, art, PLUS FREE Food, & LIBATIONS.

*Special thanks to Larry Simmons & his wife Heidi, founder & manager of the Downtown Farmers Market. Larry is one of the most important, hard-working, and perhaps under-recognized figures in the Lubbock art scene, a true rock star. – cjo

cjo paintings on exhibit at Grey Edges, Nov 5-13.

Lubbock Symphony Orchestra opens 75^th season with original composition inspired by Christopher J. Oglesby’s book

When Lubbock native/Austin artist Christopher J. Oglesby wrote his award-winning book “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: Legends of West Texas Music,” he knew he had something special on his hands. After all, Oglesby knew the influences West Texans like Buddy Holly, Mac Davis, and Lloyd Maines had and continue to have on contemporary rock music around the world.

Little did Oglesby know that 15 years later, that labor of love about the magical West Texas music scene would inspire a musical composition of its very own: “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: A Symphony of Songs,” composed by Grammy winner D. J. Sparr.

Sparr and Oglesby’s symphonic song cycle was commissioned specifically for the Lubbock Symphony’s 75^th anniversary season and will premiere November 12, 2021, at the brand-new Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences. Tickets are on sale now.

“It will be a special night for me,” Oglesby offered, “because November 12 is also the 15-year anniversary, to the day, of when we held our legendary book signing celebration in Stubb’s in Austin, when musicians such as Jimmie Dale Gilmore and even Billy Gibbons showed up to perform. That turned into one of the epic Lubbock music jams of all time, in my opinion.”

Sparr, who reached out to Oglesby simply as a fan of the book after receiving the commission to create the piece, wrote all the original music.  Sparr and Oglesby collaborated on all the lyrics. Rising-star country-western singer and Lubbock resident Hannah Jackson will be the vocal soloist.

“I have known about Chris’ book since my wife and I moved to Lubbock in 2013,” Sparr said. “I thought using Chris’ book to combine the two worlds of all of Lubbock’s great musicians — past and present, classical and country — was a perfect match for the Lubbock Symphony’s 75^th anniversary. There’s never been an orchestra piece with full chorus, three added electric guitars, three percussionists, and a country-western singer!”

Oglesby also plans to hold a pop-up art show in Lubbock featuring his original work created via his Pretty Cool Art by cjo brand, Friday November 5 through Saturday November 13. The pop-up art show is hosted by artist Kelly Reyna’s Grey Edges Studio & Gallery, a “dynamic new force in the Lubbock arts scene” in downtown Lubbock, 1614 Mac Davis Lane. Theme of the art show will be “Lubbock Musicians.”

For contact info for Christopher Oglesby, click here.
For contact info for D.J. Sparr, click here.
For contact info for Hannah Jackson, click here.
For contact info for Grey Edges, c/o Kelly Reyna, click here.

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Origin of my Aesop’s Fables Series

I have a book that Mom gave me when I was very young of illustrated Aesop’s fables. I recently re-read the entire thing and thought I might like to paint my own interpretations of some of my favorite fables.

This is the first one I’ve done in that potential series. As with many of my paintings, I like this because it makes me laugh.

“Aesop’s Lion and Ass” acrylics on 12×24 canvas; completed Fri Sep 13, 2019.
My paraphrasing of Aesop: Lion is minding his own business, when this donkey wanders over from his own green pasture just to bray complaints at the Lion, about what? Who knows? Lion doesn’t speak Ass. While Lion knows he has the sheer power to instantly slaughter the annoying dumb Ass, Lion is wise and knows it is not worth his effort nor the ensuing mess to respond. So Lion continues to mind his own business until the dumb oblivious Ass gets tired and leaves the arena, where it seems he is getting in too deep for his own ass.

Moral: “It is better to ignore rudeness than to be annoyed by it.”

Gallery of acrylic paintings by cjo

More Aesop’s Fables, as interpreted by cjo

Snake and the Crab:

Always honest Crab begs his deceitful friend Snake to “Straighten up and be honest, give up your crooked ways” Snake refuses to act right, so Crab strangles his hopelessly deceitful friend Snake in his sleep. Looking at Snake’s outstretched body, Crab says sadly, “This would not have happened if you had lived as straight as you died.”

Moral: Good and Evil cannot live and work together.

Kite, Mouse, and Frog:

Crafty Mouse & Strong Frog are fighting over who is Master of the Meadow, so intent in their struggle, they don’t see Kite swoop down to carry them away in her talons.

MORAL: Those who quarrel may easily find themselves in trouble.

Fox & Eagle:

Eagle snatches Fox’s pup as a snack for her eaglets, Fox begs Eagle for mercy for her child, and Eagle denies it. Clever Fox finds a fiery stick, climbs the tree, and threatens to destroy the nest & the eaglets (her own pup doomed otherwise). So Eagle has no choice but to return Fox’s pup to her unharmed.

MORAL: Expect to be treated the same way you treat others.

More to come soon, y’all come back…

Dance Floor Art Project

I am pleased an honored to have participated in Tapestry Dance Company‘s Weaving Art into Life Project 2020.
I created this original acrylic painting, which i call “Dance Around Austin!”, on the reverse side of a 4×4 section of practice dance floor to be auctioned off as a fundraiser for Tapestry, a truly unique Austin Arts institution.

Dance Around Austin!

In my dance floor art project, Dance around Austin! I have depicted many diverse Austinites celebrating life through various forms of dance, literally all around the skyline viewed from south Austin’s Long Center which is home to many of Tapestry Dance Company’s  performances. The title is also a command, so get get out there and DANCE AROUND AUSTIN!

New Collectible Pretty Cool Art Products!

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Sets of 4 coasters featuring Pretty Cool Art by cjo

One should always use a coaster set to prevent coffee, beer, or drink rings on the furniture because my momma taught me it’s the right thing to do.
Stay Cool y’all with Pretty Cool Art by cjo.

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“Live Music Capital!”
Coaster Set of 4 features:

“Backline”

“Stefan’s Studio”

“Carolyn Wonderland in Zilker Park”

“Gary Clark Jr”.

Price $24.20 BUY NOW!

 

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“Keep Austin Cool”
Coaster Set of 4 features:

“Willie Nelson & Family 1978”

“South Austin Homage to René Magritte”

“Sangria Margarita Swirl”

“America”

Price $24.20 BUY NOW!

 

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“Be Cooler If You Did”
Coaster Set of 4 features:

“Outside the Emporium”
“ACL Fest Frame of Reference”
“Never Give Up”
“Bird on a Lightpole”

Price $24.20 BUY NOW!

 

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COMING SOON:
“Austin Hiking Trails” Set of 4
“Drink Local Beer” Set of 4
“Cool Kitty Cats” Set of 4, and MORE…

“SLACKER SERIES” 2021 Flip Calendar

FEATURES Images of 13 acrylic paintings by cjo
inspired by Richard Linklater’s classic film set in Austin Texas USA
BUY NOW! Price: $32

Pretty Cool Art on Your New Favorite Mug

Order your favorite image of Pretty Cool Art by cjo on an extra-large coffee mug! Makes a great gift or collectible souvenir from Austin.
Pictured here is “Minerva Protects Peace From Mars.”

Be sure to get a Coaster Set of 4 to prevent coffee rings because it’s the right thing to do.

Price: $24.20. (Coaster not included.)

Pretty Cool Art Spring 2020 Event Calendar

Fun Opportunities to See and Purchase Pretty Cool Art by cjo!

FEBRUARY 2020

February 8, 2020 Saturday; South Austin.
Oglesby House Concert – Live Music by Bob Livingston
Call Chris for more info: 512-762-6102 or visit our Facebook site

Join us for a fantastic evening of live original Austin music by our friend Bob Livingston, member of legendary Texas super-group the Lost Gonzo Band, and currently with The Lost Austin Band; member of West Texas Walk of Fame. Texas Music Legends Hall of Fame.  Come find out WHY!

Visit www.BobLivingstonMusic.com for MORE!
BYOB & Pot Luck dishes are encouraged; some food, beer & wine provided by hosts. No Cover Charge, HOWEVER generous donations to the artist are encouraged!!!
Original artworks by Christopher Oglesby also are on display throughout the house & available for sale; you could take home some Pretty Cool Art!

February 29, 2020 Saturday; South Austin.
Oglesby House Concert – Live Music by Brandon Adams
with special guests Wade Parks and Sean Lewis
Call Chris for more info: 512-762-6102

Singer/songwriter Brandon Adams, of Brandon Adams & the Sad Bastards, brings acoustic sets of his original West Texas rock and roll music to our South Austin living room. Brandon has invited along his friends legendary songwriter Wade Parks, who is celebrating a new album Guarding the Old Ways, and Sean Lewis of the band Rattlesnake Milk.  Stay tuned for more details!

MARCH 2020

March 14-15, 2020 Saturday – Sunday; Round Rock, Texas.
Austin Music & Arts Festival 2020

Enjoy live music, fine art displays, a classic car show, a custom motorcycle show, and dozens of fun attractions and highlights. Check out the Taste of Austin Food Garden, with delicious cuisine, and cold domestic and craft beers. National recording artists will be performing throughout the afternoon and evening on the main stage, as well as juried visual artists presenting the heritage and the culture of our great city. And best of all, admission is just $5, with children under 12 years admitted FREE. So, bring the whole family for a fantastic weekend of fun!

April 2020

April 25-26, 2020 Saturday – Sunday; Wimberley, Texas.
Wimberley Arts Fest 2020

Picture yourself in the Texas Hill Country, alongside a gorgeous meandering river with waterfront cabins, selling your art and kicking back in the shade of an ancient pecan orchard. It’s not a dream. It’s Wimberley! Now in its 12^th continuous year, Wimberley Arts Fest has gained a national reputation among artists. It is a fine arts festival organized by artists for artists. Now in its 12^th continuous year, Arts Fest has gained a national reputation among artists. It is a fine arts festival organized by artists for artists. Sponsored by the Sponsored by the Wimberley Valley Art League’s 200+ members and art loving volunteers, the level of attention to detail, both in planning and in services for the artists, is top notch. We have many returning exhibitors who appreciate our organization and the fabulous location. Aside from the river and the orchard, there is plenty of shade, plenty of onsite parking, great food trucks and continuous live music throughout the festival’s 200+ members and art loving volunteers, the level of attention to detail, both in planning and in services for the artists, is top notch. We have many returning exhibitors who appreciate our organization and the fabulous location. Aside from the river and the orchard, there is plenty of shade, plenty of onsite parking, great food trucks and continuous live music throughout the festival

Modern Day Mythology

Memorable scenes from popular movies and television are modern equivalents to ancient oral mythology, defining many of our metaphors for common hopes, dreams, fears, and belief systems. So following all great art traditions, I believe that these iconic scenes are appropriate subjects for paintings. Also, cinematographers and directors compose  the scenes and lighting with great care, often with as much artistry as great masters of painting.

Pretty Cool Art and Painting Local

I will paint pretty much anything I think looks cool, but I usually focus on my mantra of “painting local”,  so often when I choose to paint a scenes from a movie or TV, the subject has soe connection to Austin or Texas in general. Slacker and Dazed and Confused, directed by Austin Film Society founder Richard Linklater and set mostly in Austin, are popular subjects for me. Coen brothers’ The Big Lebowski is also well represented. From Dusk til Dawn TV series by Robert Rodriguez, Sugarland Express, Honeysuckle Rose, Giant, and Mike Judge’s “Office Space” all are subjects, as is the hokey 4 For Texas set in some psychedelic Hollywood Rat Pack version of Texas. But my eye is not only drawn to subjects set in Texas; strong women often strike my fancy as artistic subjects, and simply well constructed scenes.

Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “Dazed and Confused“
Dir. Richard Linklater (1993).

Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “Slacker“
Dir. Richard Linklater (1990)
[NOTE: These 14 Slacker paintings are available for sale only as a set; not for individual sale.]

Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “The Big Lebowski“
Dir. Joel Coen & Ethan Coen (1998)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Honeysuckle Rose“
Dir. Jerry Schatzberg (1980)

Acrylic Paintings Inspired by “4 For Texas“
Dir. Robert Aldrich (1963)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “The Sugarland Express“
Dir. Steven Spielberg (1974)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “From Dusk Till Dawn” TV Series
Developed by Robert Rodriguez (2015)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Giant“
Dir. George Stevens (1956)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “The Outsiders“
Dir. Francis Coppola (1983)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Better Call Saul” TV Series
Developed by Vince Gilligan (2016)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Bell, Book and Candle“
Dir. Richard Quine (1958)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “The Avengers“
Dir. Joss Whedon (2012)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “The Fifth Element“
Dir. Luc Besson (1997)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Rapture-Palooza“
Dir. Paul Middleditch (2013)

Acrylic Painting Inspired by “Office Space“
Dir. Mike Judge (1999)

SAHARA SMITH HOUSE CONCERT  – 11/16/2019

An intimate evening of live music in the comfort of the Oglesby’s South Austin living room with music by Sahara Smith, award winning singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas USA.

Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 6 PM – 10 PM

DOORS open at 6pm; MUSIC from 7pm til 9+pm.
ADDRESS: 5308 Fort Clark Drive Austin TX 78745.
CALL Chris Oglesby for directions or more info: 512-762-6102
Please RSVP: click “GOING” on this event, we’d like a headcount.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT NOW! https://www.facebook.com/events/790906828031367/

NO COVER but CASH DONATIONS are highly encouraged!

POT LUCK MEAL – Share some food with us!
BYOB – We’re drinkin’, so bring yours if you want.

ABOUT PRETTY COOL ART

We have more than a hundred original paintings by Christopher Oglesby hanging on the walls of our home, most are for sale. Oglesby House Concerts are a good opportunity to see Pretty Cool Art up close, and house concert guests have the opportunity to negotiate special prices for original artworks.

I work in Austin Texas USA, I mostly paint subjects related to Austin and Texas, and often show my work in and around Austin.So I am pleased to have been selected as Featured Artist for the 2019 Art City Austin Festival in Republic Square, downtown Austin.

This interview and article originally was published July 20, 2019 by Art Alliance Austin.

Beyond the Bio:

Featured Art City Austin artist Christopher J. Oglesby

Christopher J. Oglesby, Pretty Cool Art by cjo

Primary Medium: Painting on canvas, mostly acrylic paints but occasionally oils; pencil and charcoal drawing, also.

Tell us about your upcoming exhibition (if applicable):  I show at many art festivals and markets in Texas and the southwest, predominantly in central Texas where I live and work.

What are you working on now?
I am always working on a new painting, and I maintain a rather thick file of ideas for future subjects to paint. I usually spend about a week or so to complete an average size painting (for me usually 11×14” to 18×24”), and when I’m done I get another canvas on the easel ASAP.

What draws you to your medium?
I believe in “painting local” scenes from my neighborhood, community, and local popular culture; and I like to tell cool stories with paint, often from personal experience. My brand name is Pretty Cool Art (by cjo) www.prettycoolart.com . I don’t focus on one particular style because I am always interested in trying something new; however, I tend to use bright abstract colors to make realistic perspective, light, shadow, and reflections.

How long have you been an artist and how has your practice changed over time?
My grandfather was a professional artist and lithographer who recognized my talent at a young age. While focusing on other professional studies in school, I have always created art for my own personal satisfaction. Five years ago in 2014, I retired from a career in law and public service enabling me to make creation of art my full-time business. I was very familiar with water color and oil painting, and have always been a competent drawer; however, I have taken several continuing education courses provided by Contemporary Austin Museum at Laguna Gloria particularly in acrylic painting, which I enjoy using now in many ways; I find that I now use acrylic paints sometimes likes oil, mixed with gel mediums for thick coats of color, and sometimes as watercolors, for light colorful washes.

In your opinion, what does the Austin arts community need as the city continues to grow?
This may be unrealistic in the Austin of today, but “affordable & community supported gallery space” is the answer. Something like the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA is what I have in mind here.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER J. OGLESBY
The author of a book about creativity, and producer of more than 100 successful music events, artist Christopher J. Oglesby now creates, promotes and sells his own Pretty Cool Art based in South Austin Texas USA.

Christopher Oglesby grew up in Lubbock Texas and received his Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees from Texas Tech University. He moved to Austin in 1992 where he pursued a career in law and government administration, including a stint in the Office of the Governor of Texas, and then more than twelve years managing a not-for-profit trust for people with disabilities. During his spare time, in May 2001, Oglesby created www.virtualubbock.com, a website dedicated to West Texas music, art and culture. Subsequently, in September 2006, the University of Texas Press published his book “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air: Legends of West Texas Music” (UT Press, 2006), which received the 2007 Certificate of Merit for Research in Recorded Popular Music from the Association for Recorded Sound Collections. Oglesby was a featured author and speaker at the 2006 Texas Book Festival.

While promoting his book “Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air” Oglesby began producing music shows, featuring many of the artists in the book including Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Jay Boy Adams, and Bob Livingston of the Lost Gonzo Band. Since then, Oglesby has produced more than 100 successful music events including South by Southwest Showcases, a weekly local music showcase in Austin, and many private house concerts.

After a lifetime of enjoying his artistic talent as a hobby, in 2014, Oglesby began his career full-time painting and selling his artworks and created his brand Pretty Cool Art by cjo. He’ll paint anything he thinks looks cool, especially local entertainers and events, food and drinks, unique scenery, pets, friends, and iconic scenes from TV & Movies. Oglesby has completed several commissioned works in private collections and gladly accepts most commission requests.

Oglesby has artwork in many juried art festivals, galleries, exhibits, and fine dining restaurants across Texas and the Southwest. Oglesby’s original artworks are in private collections in Seattle, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington DC, Denver, Colorado Springs, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Lubbock, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin.

To keep up with Oglesby’s work:
www.prettycoolart.com
facebook.com/prettycoolartbycjo
twitter.com/prettycoolart
instagram.com/christopherj.oglesby

Gonna Be a Busy Spring Art Season for Pretty Cool Art!

Where to Find Pretty Cool Art in the Austin area:

Fri – Sat March 15-16, 2019; 1pm – 9pm, both days
SxSW Pop Up Event – “Still Whiskey Rocks Austin“
 440 E. St Elmo Rd | Still Austin Whiskey Co. @The Yard

During South by Southwest Festival, both days include a craft musicians market where Still Austin Whiskey Rocks goers can shop merchandise and trinkets; delicious customary themed cocktails named after the bands and hit songs by the bands; food truck Pairings on site serving tasty dishes all afternoon and into the evening, variety of items including sliders, specialty grilled cheese sandwiches and bruschetta. Plenty of parking on site.

Trouble in the Wind; Balto; Boogerins of Brazil; Shadow of Whales; The Slants; Transit Method; DJ Stefan Aronson; Jon Pattie; Bridget Boyle; Alex Winters; Clara Bellino; Vanessa Silberman and Austin Freeman; Various Blonde; Sick/Sea; Cat Jaguar; Reen and the Renegades; The Korkus; Color Candy
No Wristband or Badge Required!

Sat March 23, 2019;  6:00 pm -10:00 pm
Conception Art Show – Austin
979 Springdale Road | Friends and Allies Brewing Company
BUY TICKETS

Coffee Artwork

Many personal favorites of my artworks include paintings of coffee. I like coffee. I like to drink coffee. I like the way coffee smells, how it tastes, and how it makes me feel when i drink coffee. I buy my coffee beans from local Austin coffee roasters, including (but not limited to) Casa Brasil, Little City, and Spokesman . I grind my own beans and use a Chemex to brew my own.

Pretty Cool Art – Coffee

I paint pretty things that I think are cool or look cool. Obviously, one common artwork subject of mine is coffee. I find it interesting how the coffee in each of these Pretty Cool Artworks appears different from the others, reflecting the many moods and styles of coffee drinkers.

My personal favorite coffee painting features what appears to be black coffee in a simple diner ceramic cup and saucer, and a spoon recently used to stir in some sugar, apparently.

This painting is truckstop coffee with creamer in a paper cup  inspired by my friend singer-songwriter Rod Picott who often posts updates during his extensive travels across America and Europe. The life of a traveling musician is often fueled by hot coffee in a paper cup.

Featured in this artwork is some iced coffee.  “One Water, One Coffee, One Beer“: The perfect refreshing combination after the mile walk from my home & studio in South Austin to the nearest coffee house/pub, which happens to be Spokesman Coffee on East St Elmo. Spokesman roasts their own blends of coffee in house, and also provides an eclectic rotating selection of Austin’s local craft beers. They have a nice shaded garden outside on the side. Spokesman also serves healthy and tasty breakfast and lunch fare.

And here is some homemade coffee with fresh cream. This painting is titled “Good Morning!” What a nice way to wake up. This fresh cup of comforting coffee and the face of a sweet kitty will happily greet you each morning for years after you hang this original painting in your home.

Austin TX USA
October 6-7 – Art @ The Domain Festival 2018

“Recent Austin Scenes That Don’t Look Like This Anymore”

Austin artist Christopher J. Oglesby is showing for sale several Austin-themed original acrylic paintings, including: recent Austin scenery which already do not exist; Austin celebrities; memorable scenes from Austin-related films; musicians & musical instruments; beer, wine & coffee, and more! Signed prints of select artworks also are available.
Facebook Event Link – Please Share!

Art at The Domain

Art @ The Domain in Northwest Austin is a small boutique Art Festival featuring 85 fine artists and contemporary craft artists along Century Oaks Terrace, a beautiful street lined with retail shops, lofts and luxury apartments right in the heart of The Domain. This juried two-day art festival features fine art and contemporary crafts in 14 media categories. Join us for a weekend of fine art to delight your senses!

Gallery of Featured Artwork, Art @ The Domain 2018

-click on Thumbnails to view full images-

Why Collage?

I have never done an extensive collage, and I don’t know what inspired me to do so other than the fact that I was at Target a few weeks ago, and colored paper was on sale. “Maybe I could use cut & torn paper instead of paint?” I thought. I bought the paper and some Mod Podge.

I now had to consider, what image do I “paint” with this paper? When we got home, I saw a framed color cartoon poster by Texas artist Ben Sargent, which I had bought in 1986 celebrating the Texas Sesquicentennial; it is a poster of Sam Houston anachronistically leaning on a pickup truck, looking out over an expanse of Texas, with the word Texas in the sky, and the name SAM on the license plate which is dated 1986. Since the poster is a cartoon, the colors where all pretty basic and delineated, so I thought that image appropriate to riff on for my winging it attempt at collage.

I happened to have in my garage also a large kinda tacky print on artboard which I had bought at a thrift store years ago simply because the frame looked like something I could reuse on my own work. So I popped the board out, charcoal sketched the outline of the image, then just started tearing and cutting paper.

Final Product

My final image is modified some from the original Sargent image by which I was inspired; I made the truck to look like an old Ford my dad once owned which I really liked; the man is not intended to be Sam Houston, and some of Houston’s regalia is omitted, and his suit is converted to Levi’s jeans & jacket; i also think he might be of Mexican heritage; the license plate is my signature & this year’s date. Note that I used actual wire for the barbed wire fence and the hay bailing wire, mostly because I didn’t want to attempt cutting paper that thin & also i thought it would look pretty cool.

When I was done, I put the board back in the original frame. Tada!

Title is “West Texas Sunrise”; dimensions of artwork is 20×24″, gold frame is 26×30″.

In honor of the Texas Sesquicentennial from which the original image was inspired, I am willing to sell this collage piece for $1986 Grand Total, includes frame, tax, shipping & credit card fees.

Total Price $1986

Art Festivals, House Concerts, and Open House

See & purchase your favorite of many original Pretty Cool Art paintings by artist Christopher J. Oglesby during several public and private events in Spring 2017, and you can get prints, books & other cool merchandise, too!

Pretty Cool Art Spring 2017 Calendar

Sat. Feb 25
Austin Modern Home Tour

Artists Christopher J. Oglesby will host a private collection of his artwork featured in a modern home in south Austin (address TBA). The Austin Modern Home Tour features an array of amazing architecture by some of Austin’s most innovative and exciting architects, designers and homebuilders.

Sat. March 4
Oglesby House Concert featuring Doug Strahan

Oglesby House Concerts are private events in the home of artist Christopher J. Oglesby; all interested people are invited to attend upon request via our social media sites. Sat Mar. 4 features guitarist & songwriter Doug Strahan of Chili Cold Blood, Memphis Strange, LA TAmpiquena, The Good Neighbors, etc.

Fri. – Sun. March 31 – April 2
Art City Austin at Palmer Event Center

Art City Austin is Art Alliance Austin’s art fair and festival, returning for its 67th year on March 31st – April 2nd, 2017 at the Palmer Event Center in downtown Austin Texas. Art City Austin is unique in its pairing of an art fair featuring 25 contemporary art galleries with an art festival featuring 125 self-represented artists from across the country. Chris Oglesby will feature many of his Austin & central Texas themed paintings.

Sat. & Sun. April 22-23
Lubbock Arts Festival at Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, 1501 Mac Davis Lane Lubbock, Texas

Artist Christopher J. Oglesby will have many of his west Texas themed paintings on display for sale at the 38th annual Lubbock Arts Festival. Lubbock is Oglesby’s hometown. He will also have available personalized signed copies of his book Fire in the Water, Earth in the Air.

Sat. May 13
Boerne Art Waddle (address TBA)

This is the second year in a row that Chris Oglesby is proud to participate in the Art Waddle,  a festive outdoor event held on neighborhood sidewalks and yards on the second Saturday in May. In 2017, the Waddle falls on May 13. People stroll streets at their own pace, chatting with artists, making friends and enjoying the day, perhaps partaking of a refreshment offered by one of the artists.The Waddle is  held in the “Flats,” Boerne’s funkiest neighborhood. Over the last decade the Flats has become a diverse, reinvigorated zone where modest older residences mingle with new and imaginative architecture. It’s a place for the creative side of Boerne.

Sat. May 20
Oglesby House Concert featuring Wolverton, details TBA