“Debut” was the catchword in Bastrop County last weekend.
About 40 of Carol Lyon’s new photographs made their debut at the Bastrop Fine Arts Guild gallery. This show, called “Emotions,” is well worth a visit. Friday night was special because the artist was there to share the background on many of the pictures. I particularly enjoyed her description of what she went through to snap a picture of a tiger. She was able to find a gap in the fence that would accommodate her camera lens, but in order to get to it she had to stoop low down. The tiger seemed to take this as an invitation to scoop and sling water on her every time she bent down. At the end of the shoot, they were both soaked. I only wish I had been there to photograph the whole scene. The picture is called “Water Fight” and you’ll love it. The show runs until the end of March at 1009 Main St. in Bastrop.

Lumberyard
Later that same evening, several of us meandered down to the Lumberyard Music Hall and enjoyed the stage debut of little Lily Elzey, a delightful nine-year-old. She studies music with David Anthony and entertained the crowd with both a piano piece and a song. Lily has a gift and we hope to see and hear her again soon. Remember that the Lumberyard, on Main Street across from the Bastrop Post Office, has live music every Friday night. You can find out who is playing by dialing 321-PLAY for a recorded announcement.

Mary Nichols
“A Texas State of Mind,” the new show at the Mary Nichols Gallery, 301 Burleson in Smithville, debuted on Saturday. This show will be there until the end of April and, not surprisingly, is mostly western-style art. You’ll find paintings and sculpture as well as some functional vessels, all having something reminiscent of our great state. There are about a dozen artists represented in this show and you can meet most of them on Friday, April 12. The reception will be from 5-6 p.m. and everyone is invited. The gallery is open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 1-8 p.m.

LPAA First Saturday
On Saturday, the Lost Pines Artisans’ Alliance debuted its 2010 season of first Saturday Arts Festival in Smithville. What has me most excited about it is that we had five brand new artist/vendors this month. For two of them, it was the first time ever to offer their work for sale.
For an artist to put himself out there for the first time is a big step. It means offering oneself up for criticism and ridicule, as well as for praise and accolades. Selling is important, not so much for the money – which is a good thing because we have to be able to buy more supplies – but because it is tangible, real proof that someone approves of what we have done. Someone appreciates it enough to trade something they value in order to own it.
Justin Kruger has roots in Smithville. His parents, Teri and Ted, live here, as have previous generations. Ted is a talented photographer and has shown his work at First Saturday in the past.
Justin has an ability to make beautiful pencil drawings from photographs. I watched him draw and delicately shade a portrait of children as he sat under the oak tree on Saturday. Even in black, white and shades of grey, the picture was very bright and lifelike. Drawing children is very difficult; take it from someone who knows, but Justin seems to be able to capture the essence and softness of a child’s face and personality. His pencil renderings will make some very nice gifts and rememberances.
Jim Biggs, from Bastrop, has been working with wood for years. On Saturday he brought lots of tree stumps, a chainsaw, drills and sharp things like axes, hatchets, knives and machetes. Unlike many of the chainsaw artists I’ve seen, Jim’s work is a bit more delicate and detailed. He was making wall pieces when I was watching but his portfolio showed quite a variety of decorative work.
Coming all the way from Delhi was Kurtis Bechtel and his Cigar Box Dulcimer Guitars. I know they’ve been around for generations, especially in the jugbands of Appalachia, but I had never seen one nor had I heard one played. These things are so cute. These instruments have only three strings and are made of real cigar boxes and other found objects. One has a sound hole made from a sink strainer. They may have clogged pipes at home, but who cares, the guitar sounds great. Kurtis has been making them for only a short time and realized that he really ought to be able to play them as well, so he taught himself. As one who can barely play a radio, I was impressed.
Lora Lewis and Patsy Caldwell shared a space for their debut into the world of art festivals. Until only a couple of weeks ago, they didn’t even know each other but are learning that they have more in common than being longtime residents of Smithville. A very important trait they share as artists is their ability to “see” things in found objects. They see faces, animals, landscapes and whatever their imaginations call out to them.
Patsy picks up rocks. Just plain old rocks that most of us step on or step over. She looks at a rock and turns it in her hands until she sees something in its shape, its color or its patterns. From there it’s easy for her to bring out the picture with her paints. Several were critters like ladybugs and dinosaurs. They’re great for paperweights, gifts or talismans.
I’ve been suspecting for sometime that Lora Lewis was “out of her gourd.” She grows some gourds herself. They come in all sizes, textures, colors and shapes and they patiently wait on her patio until Lora finds images in them.
For more information on these artists, contact me at 577-5252