North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

Exhibi on on View

Turner House, Dallas

February 21–28, 2013

North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

Exhibi on and events at

Turner House 401 N. Rosemont Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75208

February 21–28 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday 12–5 PM Exhibi on Viewing February 21 7:30–9 PM Salon Series Lecture Beyond the Dallas Nine: The Regionalist Legacy in Texas Art A discussion of the con nuing evolu on of regionalist themes in Texas art using examples of work

by Erwin and other ar sts.

February 23 4–5 PM Exhibi on Overview The Life and Work of Jack Erwin

5–8 PM Recep on Violin selec ons will be performed by Sue Rodriguez, the ar st’s daughter, using Erwin violin #47.

Cover: Tom Field Farm House, 1970, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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Jack Erwin, Architect, Artist, Violin Maker and Friend

I knew Jack as a friend for years and was one of his many admirers.

He was a very, very remarkable person, born 1920 in Jacksboro, Texas and deeply dedicated to art, music and architecture.

He became interested in music when his father, a Gulf Oil distributor, traded gasoline for music lessons from a professor at TCU.

As an architectural student at UT in 1938, Jack was required to take art classes—his introduc on to art. Recogni on came early when, in 1941, he exhibited two pain ngs in the Texas General at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts.

Jack served in the US Navy during WWII and later Korea. He painted with watercolors in the Pacific while serving as a Docking Officer. In 1946, the DMA gave Jack a one‐man show of 50 of the pain ngs. These works were later donated to the Panhandle‐Plains Historical Museum and designated as American Treasures by the Na onal Trust for Historic Preserva on.

He returned from the war to Dallas in 1952 to work as an architect.

He painted in watercolors un l Reveau Basse moved next door in 1969. They became fast friends and painted together for many years, during which me Reveau persuaded him to change to oils.

Jack married Ella Webster in 1949. One day she said, “I wish you would make a violin.” He got some instruc ons from a Popular Mechanics magazine and eventually made 140 violins, seven cellos and a viola, all the me prac cing architecture and pain ng. He loved to tell of mee ng famous musicians who admired the quality of his instruments. He gave a few away but otherwise carefully numbered and stored them.

In all things Jack was me culous. He numbered and signed all of his 602 pain ngs and described each loca on. All of his instruments were signed and numbered and carefully stored. He retained many of his architectural plans and could describe the project in detail.

But best of all he was a good friend and a joy to be with.

Bill Cheek, Texas Art Collector

North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

Scenes of 1970s Dallas and North Texas command center‐stage in this retrospec ve exhibi on of pain ngs by Jack Erwin (1920–2009).

His plein‐air pain ngs bring back memories of the many small towns and farming communi es that once do ed this sector of the state, but have now all but vanished into today’s modern “metroplex.”

An architect and a painter, Erwin captured his scenes of then‐rural communi es such as Plano, Frisco, Grapevine, Farmers Branch, Addison and Garland punctuated with the general stores, lumber yards, farm houses, rail sta ons and other architectural gems which have now mostly disappeared. By se ng down his own record of the local scene as he encountered it during the closing decades of the twen eth century, Erwin followed in the footsteps of great Dallas regionalists such as O s Dozier, Charles Bowling and Olin Travis.

Aside from their painterly quali es, Erwin’s series of well‐composed, plein‐air studies are historically significant as a visual record of a part of the state as it underwent drama c transforma on in the la er quarter of the 20th century. The ar st was conscious of the rapid development of these rural areas and hastened to record the heart of his North Texas homeland before urbaniza on of these small towns. To this end, it is possible to conceive of Erwin’s pain ngs as a body of work that may one day rival that of regionalist predecessors as a me‐sensi ve chronicle of the rural remnants of a vanishing sec on of North Texas.

In his life me as an ar st, Jack Erwin conducted his work quietly and produc vely, pursuing excellence with a minimum of fanfare. He exhibited only modestly during his life me and, as he considered himself a working architect and only a “week‐end ar st,” he managed to feign most of the trappings of the professional art world. S ll, Texas art works of fine quality and significant subject ma er are hard to suppress—they inevitably find their way back into the public view.

In this exhibi on, William Reaves Fine Art is pleased to team with Turner House and the Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts to return Jack Erwin’s works to their Dallas‐area roots. We are certain that viewers will at once recognize the enlightened eye and adept skills of this excep onal Texas ar st, and will delight in the visual memories of mes and places that once were.

Bill Reaves, Curator

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Exhibition Checklist Plate Title of Work

Date

Medium

Size (inches)

1. Athens R. R. Sta on

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

2. Bacon’s Lumberyard—Kaufman

1972

oil/canvas board 12 x 16

3. Barn—Greenhill Stables

1978

oil/board

18 x 24

4. Barn—S. Main, Lancaster

1977

oil/board

18 x 24

5. Bri on

1978

oil/board

18 x 24

6. Bri on Building

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

7. Bus Sta on Waxahachie

1972

oil/board

12 x 16

8. Country Store, Rocke

1973

oil/board

12 x 16

9. Dallas County Courthouse—Kennedy Memorial

1971

oil/canvas board 18 x 24

10. Dallas R. R. Yards

1970

oil/board

11. Dallas Railroad Yard Buildings

1970

oil/canvas board 12 x 16

12. Dallas Skyline

1985

oil/board

18 x 24

13. Decatur Court House

1972

oil/board

12 x 16

14. F. W. Hall, Galindo

not dated

oil/board

12 x 16

15. Fall Scene—Lake Ray Hubbard

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

16. Farm House W. of Carrollton

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

17. Farmers Branch

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

18. Farmers Branch Lumberyard

1977

oil/board

18 x 24

19. Farmers Branch Street

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

20. First Presbyterian, Midlothian

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

21. Fruit Vendor

1978

oil/board

18 x 24

22. Gas Sta on—Grapevine Highway

1972

oil/canvas board 12 x 16

23. Gin Buildings, Red Oak

1973

oil/board

12 x 16

24. Gins Trumbull

not dated

oil/board

18 x 24

12 x 16

North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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Plate Title of Work 25. Grain Elevators, Alamo St. & Ashland St., Dallas 26. Grocery, Addison 27. Hillsboro 28. Hillsboro R. R. Sta on 29. Hines Blvd. going to Toll Road Entry 30. House—Caroline St. 31. House Near Wilmer 32. Houses—Thawing Snow, Dallas 33. Katy Sta on, Garland 34. Lemmon Ave. 35. Lumber Yard, Grapevine 36. Maple Avenue at Bomar 37. Mr. Blacketer’s House, Rowle 38. Old City Service Sta on 39. Pacific Avenue, Dallas 40. Plano Sta on 41. R. R. Sta on, Waxahachie 42. Red Oak 43. Red Oak Gin 44. Rocke Chris an Church 45. Seagoville 46. Selling Out—Denton Rd. 47. Shoe Shine Stand, Fairfield 48. South Street Scene 49. Tom Field Farm House

Date

Medium

Size (inches)

1982 1975 1984 not dated 1970 1973 1973 1977 not dated not dated 1977 1971 1970 not dated 1980 1973 1976 1973 not dated not dated 1985 not dated not dated 1976 1970

oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/canvas board oil/canvas board oil/canvas board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/canvas board oil/canvas board oil/board oil/board oil/canvas board oil/board oil/canvas board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/board oil/canvas board

18 x 24 12 x 16 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 12 x 16 12 x 16 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 12 x 16 18 x 24 12 x 16 18 x 24 18 x 24 18 x 24 12 x 16 24 x 18 12 x 16 12 x 16

North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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1. Athens R. R. Sta on, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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2. Bacon’s Lumberyard—Kaufman, 1972, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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3. Barn—Greenhill Stables, 1978, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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4. Barn—S. Main, Lancaster, 1977, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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5. Bri on, 1978, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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6. Bri on Building, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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7. Bus Sta on Waxahachie, 1972, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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8. Country Store, Rocke , 1973, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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9. Dallas County Courthouse—Kennedy Memorial, 1971, oil on canvas board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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10. Dallas R. R. Yards, 1970, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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11. Dallas Railroad Yard Buildings, 1970, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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12. Dallas Skyline, 1985, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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13. Decatur Court House, 1972, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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14. F. W. Hall, Galindo, not dated, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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15. Fall Scene—Lake Ray Hubbard, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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16. Farm House W. of Carrollton, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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17. Farmers Branch, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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18. Farmers Branch Lumberyard, 1977, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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19. Farmers Branch Street, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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20. First Presbyterian, Midlothian, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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21. Fruit Vendor, 1978, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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22. Gas Sta on—Grapevine Highway, 1972, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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23. Gin Buildings, Red Oak, 1973, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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24. Gins Trumbull, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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25. Grain Elevators, Alamo St. & Ashland St., Dallas, 1982, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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26. Grocery, Addison, 1975, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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27. Hillsboro, 1984, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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28. Hillsboro R. R. Sta on, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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29. Hines Blvd. going to Toll Road Entry, 1970, oil on canvas board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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30. House—Caroline St., 1973, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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31. House Near Wilmer, 1973, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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32. Houses—Thawing Snow, Dallas, 1977, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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33. Katy Sta on, Garland, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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34. Lemmon Ave., not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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35. Lumber Yard, Grapevine, 1977, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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36. Maple Avenue at Bomar, 1971, oil on canvas board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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37. Mr. Blacketer’s House, Rowle , 1970, oil on canvas board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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38. Old City Service Sta on, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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39. Pacific Avenue, Dallas, 1980, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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40. Plano Sta on, 1973, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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41. R. R. Sta on, Waxahachie, 1976, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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42. Red Oak, 1973, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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43. Red Oak Gin, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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44. Rocke Chris an Church, not dated, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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45. Seagoville, 1985, oil on board, 18 x 24 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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46. Selling Out—Denton Rd., not dated, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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47. Shoe Shine Stand, Fairfield, not dated, oil on board, 24 x 18 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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48. South Street Scene, 1976, oil on board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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49. Tom Field Farm House, 1970, oil on canvas board, 12 x 16 inches North Texas Recalled: The Painterly Chronicles of Jack Erwin

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JACK ERWIN Selected Biographical and Career Highlights  1920, Born in Jacksboro, Texas  1943, Bachelor of Architecture, University of Texas, Aus n, Texas  1969, Befriends Reveau Basse , who persuades Erwin to work in oils  1999, WWII‐era watercolors designated as an Official Project of Save America’s Treasures by the Na onal Trust for Historic Preserva on  2009, Dies in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Selected Exhibi ons  1941, Texas General Exhibi on, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Texas  1945, Annual Exhibi on, California Watercolor Society, California  1946, One‐man show at Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Texas  1975, Panhandle‐Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas  2007, True Texas Art by Jack Erwin, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas

Selected Collec ons  Panhandle‐Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas  Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana  Numerous private collec on

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Sponsored by William Reaves Fine Art Hosted by Turner House/Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts William Reaves Fine Art

Turner House

2313 Brun Street, Houston, Texas 77019 Phone: 713.521.7500 www.reavesart.com

401 N. Rosemont Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75208 Phone: 214.880.0404 www.turnerhouse.org

For pricing informa on or details about these and other works by Jack Erwin, please contact:

Bill Reaves, President, william@reavesart.com

Steve Gaskin, Associate, steve@sgec.biz

For informa on about this exhibi on and other events at Turner House, please contact:

Sco Chase, Board Chair, schase@airmail.net

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