Amarillo Magazine | September 2011 by Amarillo Magazine

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Learn how to choose the best frames for your face at amarillomagonline.com. SEPTEMBER 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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September 2011 • amarillomagonline.com • Amarillo Magazine

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n June, the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health unveiled its art collection, a diverse scope of mediums showcasing the work of regional painters, photographers and sculptors. Established in 2000 under the auspices of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, the Women’s Health Research Institute in December of 2006 requested a name change in order to honor Laura Bush, says Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, executive director and founder of the institute. As the founding ambassador of The Heart Truth campaign and global ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Dr. Jenkins felt the Laura Bush name would promote women’s health. “[Laura Bush] has a very strong passion for women and women’s advocacy and their health as well,” Dr. Jenkins says. “We felt like this might be appealing to Mrs. Bush… and we were successful.” With Laura Bush’s approval, Dr. Jenkins and the board at Texas Tech wanted to show their appreciation by hanging a portrait of the former first lady in the building, which led to a conversation about creating an art collection. “We thought we would love to have our namesake here, a portrait, done by a well-regarded artist and it just built on that type of dialogue,” she explains. “For some people, research and educational purposes, they know they’re needed and vital but there’s also a whole other faction of health which is just to have goodness in your environment and art does that for people. And we wanted to have art that really signified not only women and children, but West Texas and a variety of our artists here in West Texas.” A committee was formed, headed by Peggy Ladd, an avid art collector and staunch supporter of the Amarillo arts community. Peggy selected fellow art lovers Doris Alexander Cooper, Betty Farrell, Liz Selliger and Sally Skaggs to aid in her search for artwork. The women wrote letters to potential art patrons and donors to raise the funds to purchase a variety of artwork for the Laura W. Bush collection. “We were very fortunate to have a group of women that came together. I’d love to say I did any of the work with the art collection, but I did not. It was Peggy Ladd and that wonderful committee that really spent hours and hours making sure we had the funds to purchase art and identifying artists to submit a proposed piece of work to hang in the Laura Bush Institute,” Dr. Jenkins affirms. The committee needed to find an artist to paint the portrait of Laura Bush and Peggy knew of a deserving, capable candidate to head the collection: Ruth Ellen Bryant. “Ruth is a well-known portrait painter,” Peggy describes. “I know what beautiful work she does and we said we’d be thrilled if she’d do it, and she did.” Ruth says she was flattered when the committee contacted her two years ago to assist the institute in its endeavor and was delighted she would have the opportunity to meet Laura Bush at her Dallas home. “I [was] willing to help and painting is about the only help I really can contribute,” Ruth modestly declares. “I was excited about the opportunity. I guess it was a very lucky chance for me to get to meet

Laura Bush and paint her portrait.” The former first lady was nothing less than the sophisticated, yet approachable woman Ruth imagined her to be. “We were grateful Mrs. Bush was willing to give her time and let us do the portrait. I found Mrs. Bush to be very comfortable, being who she is. The woman I met was exactly what I expected from television. She’s as nice and gracious as you would expect.” Painting significant figures was not a new undertaking for Ruth, as she has painted Betty Bivens and Bernadeen Healy, the first woman to head the National Institutes of Health. However, she knew painting an internationally-renowned woman would present certain challenges. “It needed to be one that fit a first lady of the United States. So that has a few limits of its own for posing and clothing and setting. There are more restrictions painting portraits,” she explains, “and twice as many painting important people.” During the hours spent at the Bush home, Ruth took multiple photos of Laura Bush, which she compiled for inspiration. In the finished portrait, the former first lady poses in front of a live oak, dressed in a light green, silk blouse and brown skirt complete with a pair of her signature pearl earrings, a look of poise and composure cast across her face. “I had Mrs. Bush’s portrait in my office for a while and I must say I miss that,” Dr. Jenkins exclaims. “It’s gorgeous!” Originally from Lubbock, Ruth attended Texas Tech and graduated from West Texas State University with a degree in art education. She has taught art workshops across the state as well as in metropolises such as Washington, D.C. and has pieces on display in galleries from San - Dr. Marjorie Jenkins Antonio and Denver to New York and Japan, winning awards for best oil painting and a best in show. As a child, Ruth developed a knack for drawing. With the encouragement of her peers, she trusted she had the ability to make it as an artist. “I was one of those kids who could draw,” she states. “And when you’re one that can draw, even in grade school you have people saying, ‘Here draw this. Here, you get to do the fire prevention poster,’ that’s what you think you can do because that’s what people told you you could do so you wind up doing it. I’ll never know if I would have done it without that or not.” But drawing does not an artist make, Ruth says. “[People] think you have to be able to draw to be an artist. Uh-uh, ha, no that’s wrong,” she scoffs while shaking her head. “Drawing is sweet and saves time but that’s not where the secrets are.” When Ruth began to paint professionally, she soon realized drawing and sketching do not necessarily translate into an aptitude for painting. Painting revolves around much more than lines, shading and a pencil. “I thought I knew a lot, I thought I just needed a little more time,” she admits. “But that was wrong. I really had a lot to learn. It’s very disturbing to suddenly learn all the stuff you trusted as skills aren’t the ones that matter.” Since learning in a classroom did not appeal to Ruth, she visited museums and studied other artists’ work to develop her craft. While Ruth appreciates other artists’ work, she doesn’t mimic them, a trait

“...There’s also a whole other faction of health which is just to have goodness in your environment and art does that for people.”

Amarillo Magazine • amarillomagonline.com • September 2011

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Embers Steakhouse Embers offers an array of cuisine from hamburgers and steaks to mahi mahi and swordfish. We have our eye on the goat cheese and applewood smoked bacon burger. Enjoy the extensive wine list and food pairing suggestions while relaxing on the patio. You’ll enjoy a feast at lunch or dinner, seven days a week. 2721 Virginia Circle, 350.3303, amarilloembers.com $$ - $$$ c y Famous Dave’s If you live in a house that’s divided over which barbecue style is best, make peace at Famous Dave’s. Not only can you choose the type of meat, but you can choose your sauce as well. Dave’s truly has something for everyone. 8518 I-40 West, 358.3283, famousdaves.com $$, c Fernando’s Restaurant & Cantina Family-owned and operated, Fernando’s serves up classic Tex-Mex with a twist. The self-serve salsa bar caters to the tastes of even the most delicate diner. From spicy to mild, zesty to sweet, there’s something for everyone, even cucumber and chipotle salsa. 2740 Westhaven Village, 356.0342 $ c GoldenLight Café As the oldest operating restaurant in Amarillo, the GoldenLight has been in business since 1947, all in the same location. For a great burger and fries, this is the place to go. 2908 SW 6th, 374.9237, goldenlightcafe .com $ C T ^ Green Chile Willy’s As the owners say, the way you like it is the way they fix it. Hand-cut grilled steaks, excellent burgers and grilled chicken; you name it, Willy’s has it. And you can’t beat the country atmosphere for a relaxing, good time. 13651 I-27, 622.2200, greenchilewillys.com $$ ^ The Happy Plum The Happy Plum Asian American Takeaway offers a variety of take-out at its quick and easy drive-thru. The green pepper steak and pho choices caught our eye. If you can take the heat, spice things up with The Happy Plum’s sauce. Save room for some sugary plum puffs; they melt in your mouth. 3321 Bell, 358.0310, thehappyplum.com $ Hoffbrau Steakhouse Family-owned Hoffbrau has been serving Texas-style steaks and beer for three decades. We recommend one of the Gr8 Steaks or something from the Hill Country Favorites list upon your first visit. Guaranteed, you’ll go back again. 7203 I-40 West, 358.6595, hoffbrausteaks.com $$ c

MPACT. MAKE ONE. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Jake’s Bar & Grill Jake’s Bar & Grill offers an upscale, yet casual, atmosphere and the menu has anything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and seafood. The restaurant boasts a pleasant bar area as well as a wine room. It’s the perfect setting for an evening out at a reasonable price. Try the Apricot Chipotle Pork Chop or something simpler such as flat bread pizza. You won’t be disappointed. 3130 Soncy, Suite 100, 358.2222 $$ c Jorge’s Mexican Bar & Grill In the mood for fajitas? Look no further than Jorge’s Mexican Bar & Grill. Portion sizes are generous and prices are reasonable. 6051 S. Bell, 354.2141, jorgesmexican.com $$ c y ^

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