Davis, Alvin G. 1989-03-10
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General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Alvin G. Davis
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: March 10, 1989
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Richard J. Mason
Length: 00:39:33
Abstract
Getting involved with art, Started doing sculpture in the 1960’s, Started an awards business in 1952, it was a western specialty, Mail order type business with awards for rodeo, Saw the need for better trophies, Late 1970’s seriously did sculpting, horses in particular, Sold his business in 1979, Had an idea for a western artist group, Cowboys of America, Group of 25 cowboy artists, Cowboy hall of fame in Oklahoma City, 1 Million dollars in sales, Executive head of the Cowboy Association, January 1981 Davis drove back and forth from Brownville to test out the job for a month, February 1, 1981 Davis was put on payroll, Has been there for 9 years, A year later they put together the National Western Artist Association, Davis sent questionnaires to 175 well known artists asking if they would be interested in joining the group. 125 of them answered yes, Had the 125 artists send in slides and pictures of their works, Biographical information as well, 66 artists were a part of the show in 1982, 60 artists showed up, The group was juried to 40 artists, Shows are held during the 3rd week in October, Golden Spur Weekend, Held at the Civic center, Had the show in May one year, When a painting gets sold the association gets 20% commission, The profits go towards paying for the shows, Breakeven proposition, Purpose of the group, Be an adjunct to the cowboy heritage association, Provide an exhibit each year of their original works, Have a sell to offer the public good western art, Provide a good social event, 1986 took a 50 piece exhibit of the artist’s works to Germany, Exhibit went to nine different German cities, Artists in the group, Joe Belt, Durard Campbell, Both were graduates of Texas Tech, Garry Morton of New Mexico, Won a couple “best of show” awards, Former wagon boss of a ranch in New Mexico, 13 states represented in the group, 1 member from Canada, Cliff Barnes from Yucca Valley, California, Bill Barracks from Cedar Park, Texas, Steve Devonins from Cody, Wyoming, Jean Decona from Sedona, Arizona, Lincoln Fox from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Reagan Genussa from Dripping Springs, Texas, Terry Gilbreath from Clyde, Texas, Lee Herring from Rockwall, Texas, Harold Holman from Kremlin, Oklahoma, Cody Houston from Great Falls, Montana, James Ralph Johnson from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Juan Dell form Santa Fe, New Mexico, Wayne Justice from Ghost Springs, Colorado, Earl Coone from Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Ted Long from North Platt, Nebraska, Dave McGarret from Altonia, New Mexico, Steve Nape from Amarillo, Texas, Terrell O’Brian from Lamesa, Texas, J.L Surle Cubby from Denver, Colorado, Ronald Thomason from Weatherford, Texas, Murray Tinkleman from Peekskill, New York, Barbara Valpail from Henrietta, Oklahoma, Herman Walker from El Dorado, Santa Fe, Where the audience comes from, Half of the audience is from Lubbock and the other half are from surrounding areas, Some visitors from different states, Local western art collectors, Does not want to give names for reasons of privacy, Western Art, There is a great interest in western art, Russell and Remington, Proliferation of Artists, More people are collecting, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Some do not consider landscapes to be western art, The association says that the in the art, there has to be depictions of landscapes, structures, equipment, people and animals of the west to count as western art, Are considered a good artist if the portrayal is lifelike, Writing, Newspaper articles, Articles, Published works, Book, Ranches, Pitchfork, The 4 sixes, Was used for a number of art works, Artworks have been medal winners, Observations, Start collecting with prints, Work up over the years, Go to shows and exhibits, Have a feel for the art and artists, Personal satisfaction, Don’t collect as an investment
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