Edgar Byran Davis – Philanthropist

From “Texans Always Rock Them: A True Texas Story”

When Texas wild hunter Edgar Byram Davis struck oil near Luling, Texas, everyone benefited. After profiting from his discovery, he used his funds to improve Texas. Davis celebrated by hosting a huge free barbecue. He invited friends, employees and associates in Luling, Texas. He shared his earnings by contributing to charities, bought golf courses for Luling, improved hospitals and supported the arts. Among his endorsements were support for the Broadway play “The Ladder” for two years and the controversial figure Edgar Cayce. Davis personally paid for the tickets to the play because of his belief in reincarnation which was emphasized by the play, which was written by a friend of his.

Texas Impressionism

Edgar B. Davis also funds Texas Wildflower Competitive Art Shows. The $5,000 prize money awarded in the competition was the richest art prize offered in the United States. Awards were given at national and state competitions. Davis was fond of Texas wildflowers and was possibly inspired by Texas artist Julian Onderdonk (1882-1922), known as the “Bluebonnet Painter” and the “Father of Texas Painting.” His paintings of Texas landscapes, often depictions of areas near his San Antonio home, earned him a national reputation. His father, Robert Jenkins Onderdonk (1852-1917) was also an established artist.

These art contests brought painters to Texas and encouraged native artists to take up painting. These contests almost single-handedly spawned a style of painting known as “Texas Impressionism.” Texas Impressionism sought to portray the effects of sun and light on outdoor subjects. The Impressionist movement, which began in France, came to Texas through this movement. Texas-born artists José Arpa (1858-1952), Robert Wood (1889-1979), Rolla Taylor (1871-1970), and Porifirio Salinas (1919-1973). and Dawson-Dawson Watson (1864-1939) was born in England, but his close association and similar style with the Texas painters lumps him in with the Texas Impressionists. Artist Porifirio Salinas met fellow artists Robert Woos and Jose Arpa by selling them art supplies. From them he learned his unique style, even cooperating with them on some paintings. From those lessons, he mastered his own style. One of his last students, Palmer Chrisman (1913-1984), became an acclaimed artist. Chrisman provided medical services in exchange for art lessons. Chrisman’s paintings were gifted by President Lyndon Johnson during his presidency. This new style encouraged painters to come to Texas, and the Dallas area became the center of the new Texas art school of painting.

Modern Texas artists whose paintings reflect this style are Dalhart Windberg and Larry Dyke. Dyke’s work has been hung in the White House and other prominent locations. Larry Dyke’s paintings have his Bible passage reference on each work, which is one of his unique markers.

Lone Star Regionalism

Davis’s financial patronage was one of the bright spots during the economic hardships of the Texas Depression of the 1930s. Between his patronage and WPA projects encouraging the development of artists and writers, a new style developed known as “Lone Star Regionalism”. This new style gradually gained dominance over the earlier Texas Impressionism movement. The new style used darker colors to represent themes unique to Texas. Some critics may claim that the dark colors reflected the dark mood of the time. The artists tried to make their subjects easy for the common man to understand. ‘Regionalists’ take everyday life as subjects for their art and writing. This increased emphasis on regionalism occurred in art and literature. Writers like J. Frank Dobie were part of this regionalism movement. J. Frank Dobie and Texas native Tom Lea pooled their talents in joint ventures during this time. Artists in the movement included Clinton King (1901-1979), Thomas Hart Benson, Jerry Bywaters (1906-1989), Alexandre Hogue, Henry Nash Smith, and David R. Williams. These artists were inspired by writers like John Dewey, George Santayana, and Constance Rourke. A group of the most prominent artists living in Dallas became known as the “Dallas Nine.” Regionalist artists were influential on art throughout the United States. At the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City, after seeing the work of Texas artists, the exposition’s president commented, “The exposition indicates that New York remains the artistic center of the nation, but it shows clearly that during the past few years there has been marked decentralization, and that various cities and towns across the country have risen up to challenge the leadership of the eastern metropolis.”

Artists during these difficult times turned to many creative techniques and mediums. They painted on railroad cars, burlap, and just about any surface the paint would stick to. At their ingenuity, they made their own canvas frames and stretchers. The WPA government program employed artists to paint murals for public buildings such as post offices. Post office and courthouse works often used murals to convey Texas and historical themes. Leading mural painters included Texas-born artists Tom Lea (1907-2001) and Ruth Monro Augur.

Tom Lea’s work was featured in federal buildings and post offices across the country. He also served as a military artist during World War II. On the centennial of his birth, President George W. Bush requested that the El Paso Museum of Art’s painting of Tom Lea of ​​the Rio Grande be hung in the Oval Office. The work was eventually purchased and is currently on display in the Oval Office of the White House.

Texas still life

There were some Texas Regionalism artists who were grouped into a subgroup of Texas Still Lifes. These are still part of Texas regionalism, but with works centered on still life themes. Among this group were Lloyd L. Sergeant (1881-1934), Robert J. Onderdonk, Alexandre Hogue, Florence McClung, H.D. Bugbee, Olive Vandruff, Emilio Caballero, and Isabel Robinson. Many of these artists were located in North Texas or in the Panhandle sections of the state. They shared a common theme of still life painting within the Texas Regionalist style and painted their works in the 1920s and 1930s.

Noted Modern Artists

Another prominent artist from modern Texas is Bruce Marshall. Marshall is known for his portrayal of historical Texas characters and events. His depictions of military uniforms and the accuracy of his detail have earned him high praise. He has written and published books on the early history and uniforms of Texas. His art was well known enough to be knighted for his achievements, thus he is now known as “Sir Bruce Marshall”. He and his wife reside in the Austin, Texas area on land that has been in his family since colonial Texas.

JOHNNIE LILIEDAHL is another Texas artist with an international reputation. His education and art are in demand all over the world. People from Europe, Australia and Asia attend his classes to learn how he captures his subjects in a classic realistic style reminiscent of European masters. Johnnie continues to teach art classes at his studio in La Porte, Texas.