Selections from the John Stone Collection of Texas Art Part II
ON VIEW: november 10 - december 2, 2017 OPENING RECEPTION: saturday, november 11, 6:00-8:30pm
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SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
Beginning November 10, and on view through December 2, William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art will feature works from the collection of Dallas collector, John Stone, who has single-handedly forged one of the state’s premier collections of Texas art. As a sequel part to our initial, successful 2016 exhibition which presented over 60 select works from Mr. Stone’s incredible collection, Selections from The John Stone Collection of Texas Art: Part II features 30 fresh works from the Stone Collection. Propelled by a collector’s passion and choosing with an unusually keen eye, Mr. Stone has meticulously assembled an impressive array of Texas paintings, including important examples by many of the state’s most prominent twentieth-century artists. Among the works shown are exceptional examples by masters of Texas Impressionism, including Porfirio Salinas, Robert Wood, as well as incredible offerings by Regionalist icons. Over the past 35 years, Mr. Stone has assembled one of the most significant and broad-based collections of Texas paintings within the state. While the works represented here constitute only a small portion of his outstanding collection, they do reflect the breadth and range of Mr. Stone’s full holdings. These selections are also indicative of the quality and importance of works which Mr. Stone has pursued, and exemplify the meticulous manner in which he chooses to present works in his care. Mr. Stone is actually among only a relative handful of Texans
who have chosen to build great art collections centering on the artists of this state, and one of even fewer collectors who has been able to seamlessly integrate great Texas artists of both past and present. His full collection is a testament to his own hard work and genuine appreciation for the virtues of truly fine art. He has relentlessly followed his collecting pursuits across four decades, personally picking and evaluating each work. Mr. Stone has selected artists and works which have personal meaning and appeal to him, and in so trusting and honoring his own personal tastes, he has secured examples of prime Lone Star material. His is thus both a great collection as well as a great personal accomplishment, but in order to better know and appreciate the full achievement, one must know a bit more about the collector himself. Like many Texans of his generation, John Stone has made his mark in the world based on the strong work ethic and solid values that spring from his sound West Texas upbringing. Now a highly successful businessman in the field of commercial landscaping, Stone has maintained a lifelong identification with the land and the things that grow from it, abiding interests that were literally cultivated during the earliest stages of his development. He grew up in Haskell, coming of age on a family’s farm located on the outskirts of this small, remote, West Texas town. From as early as he can recall, Stone worked along-side family and farmhands to coax crops of cotton, wheat and milo from this section of flat, high-plains farmland. In addition, he took an early and active role in the family’s adjunct ranching operations, tending herds of white-faced Hereford cattle, and proudly showing “fat steers” annually at Abilene and Wichita Falls livestock events, as well as the State Fair of Texas. While the family moved into “town” to be closer to his schools during his adolescence, Stone’s appreciation for agriculture and horticulture were already well secured based on his active and
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
formative exploits on that plot of West Texas farmland. He moved easily through his high school years, earning solid“marks” throughout; remaining keenly active in the local FFA, continuing to raise his steers and work part-time in the family’s on-going farming interests. Such rich and varied agrarian opportunities in Haskell laid the groundwork for his post-secondary education in botany and ornamental horticulture—areas in which Stone subsequently attained Bachelors and Masters degrees from Texas Tech and Michigan State University, respectively—and defined the direction of his career. From Haskell, Stone parlayed his agrarian roots, coupling them with sound education, hard work and gritty determination to eventually develop John Stone Services, a Dallasbased firm he established in 1975 and has grown into one of the premier commercial landscape operations in the Metroplex area, servicing major corporate clientele throughout the region. Stone also began to show his early propensity for passionate collecting during his time in Haskell. His first foray into serious collecting occurred in high school, when the budding horticulturalist-to-be skillfully assembled an expansive garden collection of over 150 varieties of irises and day lilies, including rare and unusual specimens of both flowers. His youthful success in plant collecting ignited within him essential traits which all collectors share—the desire to learn deeply about particular collecting interests and the drive to constantly pursue and secure prime examples of your chosen subject. Later, through his travels and educational opportunities, Stone expanded his collecting repertoire, developing interests in 16th and 17th century English furniture, as well as French and English paintings of the same period. With an ever-developing appreciation for fine
antiques and objects-de-arte, Stone ventured further over the years into collections of French art glass, Japanese bronzes and fine oriental rugs. It has been, however, his fascination with Texas art which has dominated his collecting interests over the last thirty-plus years. Locating to Dallas in the late 1960s to begin a professional career after graduate study, Stone quickly landed a position as manager of a local garden center. Among his first and most pleasant clients there, were Velma and Otis Dozier, respected mainstays of the Dallas art community and avocational backyard gardeners. The three became fast friends, with Stone supplying the Doziers with expert advice and counsel on plants for Texas gardens, and the Doziers, in turn, introducing John to the lairs of the Texas artist. Sensing Stone’s sincere interest in learning, Velma and Otis Dozier took the young botanist under their respective wings, affording him access to their studios, taking him along to Fair Park for art events there, and traveling together on weekends to Canton, where Stone would seek out English antiques while Otis would sketch the exotic chickens which the vendors brought there for show and sale. It was an enviable and uncommon encounter for a young collector-to-be. Although admittedly short on art knowledge and discretionary income at that moment in his life, Stone recognized the specialness of mentorship by this esteemed duo of Texas artists and now recounts this as the point at which he began to seriously investigate art and artists within his own state, hoping eventually to accumulate both the knowledge and resources to acquire a few prime works. That opportunity presented itself only a few years later in the early 1980s, when Stone made his initial Texas art
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
acquisitions from Dallas antique dealer, William Johnson. Appropriately enough, Stone’s first paintings were by Otis and Velma Dozier. (This first Otis Dozier acquisition by Stone is actually the watermelon still-life featured in this exhibition, which the artist sketched at the Dallas Farmers Market). From these initial Dozier purchases, Stone rapidly accelerated his collecting efforts, frequenting Dallas galleries offering Texas genre, including the then new David Dike Fine Art gallery on Fairmount and the venerable Valley House Gallery, then out north of town. By the latter 1980s, he had plunged into serious collecting, visiting galleries throughout the state, continuing to sharpen his eye and eventually assembling a broad and extensive body of Texas work. While his holdings today represent one of the largest assemblages of Texas paintings around, he is still at work growing and refining the collection as his ever-inquisitive mind and keen perspective dictate. Stone’s collecting aesthetic is definitely tied to his life-long interests in the land, with much imagery steeped in deep West Texas roots. As evidenced by the selections here, his holdings include many fine landscapes depicting Lone Star flora and fauna, as well as works which clearly invoke his own farming and ranching backgrounds. He collects broadly, active in both early and contemporary Texas art fields. Countering a trend popular among Texas collectors, the Stone collection does not seek to limit acquisitions to artists of an immediate vicinity of the state, i.e., Dallas, but rather embraces Texas painters from all sectors of the state. Stylistically, works in the collection run from early impressionism, to regionalism, to contemporary realism, with an occasional dash of representational abstraction. To that end, Stone has proven himself to be an independent minded and bold collector, pursuing his art
with genuine heart, as well as an informed eye. While Stone is interested in historical materials by earlier Texas painters, he is equally excited to encounter and learn more about new Texas artists. He is a unique collector in this regard, comfortable enough in his virtuosity to identify and appreciate significant rising artists in their own time, and confident enough to acquire them and hang the best of these contemporary painters along-side earlier Texas masters. As such, Stone has become one of the most important patrons of midcareer contemporary painters, frequently acquiring living artists whose works appeal, and often commissioning them for major works for his ever-expanding collection. In this show alone, Stone shows works by more than a dozen working artists who are a part of his grand Texas collection. In the tradition of great collectors, Stone is also a devoted steward and sound keeper of the paintings in his care. He is particularly fastidious about conservation and presentation of every work, and he attributes his discipline in this regard to early mentoring by Bill Johnson. All paintings of age brought into the Stone collection are subjected to a complete conservation assessment, and appropriate treatment applied by experienced and accomplished conservators. Beyond their impeccable conservation, most, if notall, ofStone’s works are also freshly ensconced in new hand-made, gold leaf framing. His obligations to his paintings are explained in Stone simple philosophy that “if you buy a good painting that’s a hundred years old, you really need to have it maintained so that it’ll be around for another hundred years after it’s been through your hands.” For all the things he has accomplished in the field of Texas
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
art, we are indebted to Mr. Stone and to other great collectors of his skill and persuasion. Were it not for these individuals willing to devote their considerable time and resources toward the collection and conservation of Texas art, the great cultural legacy and continuing saga of Lone Star art— both past and present—would yet be untold and unheralded. Thus, we feel privileged to present such incredible selections from one of the state’s foremost private collections. It is indeed an impressive offering and represents a rare and distinctive buying opportunity for yet other Texas collectors. Works from these Selections from the John Stone Collection of Texas Art will undoubtedly constitute worthy additions to any Texas collection and they warrant serious attention. -William Reaves & Sarah Foltz, Reaves | Foltz Fine Art
No.
Artist
Title of Work
Date
Medium
Size (inches)
Selections from the John Stone Collection of Texas Art 1
Lu Ann Barrow
Over the Hills and Through the Woods
2010
oil on canvas
20x30
2
Edward Bearden
Farm Group in Winter
1947
oil on board
14x22
3
Harold Bugbee
Last of the Southern Buffalo
1961
oil on canvas
22x28
4
Wayne Baize
Spring Round-Up
pastel and pencil on paper
16x28.5
5
Carl Benton Compton
Builders
1940
oil on canvas
30x36
6
Carl Benton Compton
Flood
1936
tempera on canvas
7
Carl Benton Compton
White Horse
1935
oil on canvas
24x32
8
Mildred Norris Compton
Snow Scene with Mother and Children
1935
oil on canvas
24x30
9
Mildred Norris Compton
Snow Scene with Sled
1935
oil on canvas
20x24
10
Fred Darge
Wrangling the Horses
1945
oil on canvas
24x32
11
Harry Anthony DeYoung
Winter Landscape
nd
oil on canvas
24x28
12
Otis Dozier
Rooster and Grasshopper
1945
oil on masonite panel
18x24
13
Velma Davis Dozier
Magnolia Still LIfe
1935
oil on canvas
24x18
14
Jon Flaming
Buffalo Hunter
2008
oil on canvas
36x48
15
Xavier Gonzalez
Bread and Roses
c. 1977
oil on canvas
24x30
16
G. Harvey
Big Bend Landscape
1968
oil on board
30x40
17
Nannie Huddle
Bluebonnet Trail
1920
oil on canvas
16x20
18
Herb Mears
Boy in a White Hat
c. 1960
oil on board
12x16
19
Herb Mears
The Magician and the Artist
c. 1952
oil on canvas
39x32
20
Clara Pancoast
Medina Lake
1920
oil on canvas
18x24
nd
17x21.5
No.
Artist
Title of Work
Date
Medium
Size (inches)
Selections from the John Stone Collection of Texas Art 21
Porfirio Salinas
Autumn Scene
22
Porfirio Salinas
Headwaters of the Pedernales RIver
23
Porfirio Salinas
Texas Cactus
24
David Sanders
Lost Maples
25
Olin Travis
26
c. 1958
oil on canvas
26x30
1941
oil on canvas
20x24
c. 1950
oil on canvas
24x30
2011
pastel
18x22
The Ash Hopper (Arkansas)
1926
oil on canvas
25x30
Valton Tyler
Sailor Come Home
1978
oil on canvas
25x30
27
Robert Wood
Bluebonnet Landscape
c. 1930
oil on canvas
20x30
28
Robert Wood
Morning Dew
oil on canvas
24x36
1964
Selections from
The John Stone Collection of Texas Art: Part II
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
1. Lu Ann Barrow, Over the Hills and Through the Woods, 2010, oil on canvas, 20x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
2. Edward Bearden. Farm Group in Winter, 1947, oil on canvas, 14x22 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
3. Harold Bugbee, Last of the Southern Buffalo, 1961, oil on canvas, 22x28 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
4. Wayne Baize, Spring Round-Up, nd, pastel and pencil on paper, 16x28.5 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
5. Carl Benton Compton, Builders, 1940, oil on canvas, 30x36 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
6. Carl Benton Compton, Flood, 1936, tempera on canvas, 17x21.5 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
7. Carl Benton Compton, White Horse, 1935, oil on canvas, 24x32 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
8. Mildred Norris Compton, Snow Scene with Mother and Children, 1935, oil on canvas, 24x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
9. Mildred Norris Compton, Snow Scene with Sled, 1935, oil on canvas, 20x24 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
10. Fred Darge, Wrangling the Horses , 1945, oil on canvas, 24x32 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
11. Harry Anthony DeYoung, Winter Landscape, nd, oil on canvas, 24x28 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
12. Otis Dozier, Rooster and Grasshopper, 1945, oil on masonite, 18x24 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
13. Velma Davis Dozier, Magnolia Still LIfe, 1935, oil on canvas, 24x18 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
14. Jon Flaming, Buffalo Hunter, 2008 , oil on canvas, 36x48 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
15. Xavier Gonzalez, Bread and Roses, c. 1977, oil on canvas, 24x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
16. G. Harvey, Big Bend Lanscape, 1968, oil on board, 30x40 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
17. Nannie Huddle, Bluebonnet Trail, 1920, oil on canvas, 16x20 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
18. Herb Mears, Boy in a White Hat, c. 1960, oil on canvas, 12x16 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
19. Herb Mears, The Magician and the Artist, c. 1952, oil on canvas, 39x32 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
20. Clara Pancoast, Medina Lake, 1920, oil on canvas, 18x24 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
21. Porfirio Salinas, Autumn Scene, c. 1958, oil on canvas, 26x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
22. Porfirio Salinas, Headwaters of the Pedernales RIver, 1941, oil on canvas, 20x24 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
23. Porfirio Salinas, Texas Cactus, c. 1950, oil on canvas, 24x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
24. David Sanders, Lost Maples, 2011, pastel, 18x22 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
25. Olin Travis, The Ash Hopper (Arkansas), 1926, oil on canvas, 25x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
26. Valton Tyler, Sailor Come Home, 1978, oil on canvas, 25x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
27. Robert Wood, Bluebonnet Landscape, c. 1930, oil on canvas, 20x30 inches.
SELECTIONS FROM THE JOHN STONE COLLECTION OF TEXAS ART
28. Robert Wood, Morning Dew, 1964, oil on canvas, 24x36 inches.
About William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art
H OUSTON’S T EXAS- C ENTERED G ALLERY William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art, originally established in 2006 in Houston, Texas, is dedicated to the promotion of
premier Texas artists of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, focusing particularly on historically significant artists active in the state during the period of 1900‒1975.
The gallery showcases many of the state’s most accomplished and recognized talents, all of whom have significant
connections to Texas and have evidenced the highest standards of quality in their work, training, and professionalism. In addition to its general focus on Early Texas Art, the gallery places special emphasis on the rediscovery and presentation
of midcentury works by Houston and South Texas artists. William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art is the foremost provider of
Texas Modern Art, which includes midcentury masters and pioneering expressionists working in the state. The gallery also
represents a dynamic group of contemporary artists, known as the Contemporary Texas Regionalists, actively showing their works in annual gallery exhibitions as well as traveling exhibitions throughout the state.
William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art is a comprehensive gallery offering fine art appraisals, consultation, collections
management, brokerage, and sales services. The gallery exhibits artists working in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, works on paper, and photography. In order to promote interest and broaden knowledge of earlier Texas art,
William Reaves | Sarah Foltz Fine Art supports related gallery talks, community events, scholarly research, and publications. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and other times by appointment.
Gallery Contacts:
William Reaves, President william@reavesart.com
Sarah Foltz, Executive Director sarah@reavesart.com
Mariah Rockefeller, Gallery Director mariah@reavesart.com