After taking Art History courses at the University of Houston, I became enamored of El Greco and his extended figures. I painted this self-portrait in a raincoat with El Greco in mind. This painting was in the Houston Artists Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 1950. It was originally larger but I folded it down to fit in a frame that I had. The rest of the painting is still attached. I re-signed it for the present owners.

As I was working on this painting I knew I was an artist. I was no longer the student but the artist. I was in control. Or at least the painting was in control. There was the feeling that a transition was made. I purposely sketched in the wicker rocker with my left hand to get a more free, slightly askew, representation of the chair. As I worked with the turpentine washes, I discovered I could move the pigment over to an edge, wash off the pigment, or shade the values. It was exciting. I remember that I was working on the floor with the canvas laying flat. That way the thin washes did not run but stayed where I had pushed them. As I recall, the painting came together rather fast and it was complete in that afternoon.
The chair was and is a favorite of mine. It was the first antique that I ever bought. I saw it in an antique store in Bastrop, Texas. I didn’t buy it then but went back for it a few weeks later paying the huge sum of $17.50.

 

Portrait of Leila 1954	Regatta 1954

When I was stationed in Furth, Germany with the 793 MP Battalion as a radio operator, The University of Maryland offered me space in their building as a studio. All I had to do was keep the room neat and clean. It was a short walk from the kaserne and near the photo lab at the USO building. I bought supplies in Nurnberg and tacked the canvas to a board to work on.

With my two year tour of duty in the army over, I returned to Houston. I knew I wanted to do abstract painting after the everyday  realistic existence of the service. There seemed to be a theme of two elements in the paintings. I don't think it had anything to do with the fact that Leila and I were married in August of that year.

From Here To There 1956	Opposition of Forms 1956