Steven Harris has lived in Texas for most of his life. His creativity is most influenced by the Texas Hill Country and Gulf Coast. While he has painted in other places, the rocky terrain, clear streams and vistas in Central Texas and the beaches, bays and inland marshes along the Gulf Coast, in his words, “speak to me.”
In the last few years, Harris has made a concerted effort to participate in a number of workshops provided by accomplished painters who are still active. He feels each of these artists has influenced his work, albeit some unexpected. While Harris acknowledges learning a number of technical points on “how to paint,” he suggests that the shared experiences of these artists helped to define for him what “being a painter” really means.
“Done right and well, it’s both a joy and a job to combine competence with inspiration – and you need both,” Harris said.
Harris aims to convey a strong sense of what he sees, but not an outright copy of the scene. From others he has learned that well-executed representational/ impressionistic painting requires discipline and expression, striking a balance between planned design and spontaneous execution. Many of the great painters studied and admired by Harris practiced what he refers to as “planned spontaneity” and bear simplicity and confidence.
Harris names two challenges when painting – the first is to convince the viewer with minimum information, catching the eye on the first glance, and remaining convincing on a second, longer look – at the same time leaving some room for interpretation. The second is to enjoy what he paints. For Harris, “That’s the art of it all.”
An artist’s reception for Harris’ “Landscape Impressions” is scheduled at Helotes Gallery from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday. Music, wine, hors d’oeuvres and a riot of art will take center stage.
Helotes Gallery is located at 14391 Old Bandera Road in Helotes. For information, call 210-370-9204, refer to www.helotesgLlery.com or send inquiry to [email protected].
Like us on Facebook! Visit our website often at www.hccarts.org. Artists groups interested in visiting The Classroom to discuss possibilities, send inquiry to [email protected].
HCCArts Calendar
• Saturday: Join HCCArts at 6:30 p.m. at Salvador Dobbs for a practice Masskrugstemmen (pronounced MAHSS-kroog-stem-men) or you can save your strength for the competition and simply call it stein holding. The cost is $20 per person to compete and participants get to keep the 34-ounce stein filled with beer. Salvador Dobbs is located at 512 River Road in Boerne. HCCArts is a proud member of the U.S. Steinholding Association.
• Cave Without a Name presents American Stories with the Marbrel Trio, July 2, 7:30 p.m., The Cave Throne Room. American Stories is a rousing exploration of American patriotic music and stories of American composers from Independence Day through modern times. The cave is located at 325 Kreutzberg Road. For information and tickets, email cwan@cavewithoutaname. com or call 830-537-4212.
• The Boerne Concert Band presents an Independence Day Celebration, July 3, 7 p.m., at Main Plaza. The director is Larry Schmidt. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and help us celebrate our country’s birthday at this free concert. Expect all your favorite patriotic musical selections. In case of rain, the alternate site is the Boerne High School Auditorium.
• The city of Boerne will host its annual fireworks show beginning on Monday, July 4. Begins 30 minutes after sunset, which should be about 8:40 p.m. That means the fireworks should start at about 9:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking for the fireworks show will be available at City Park and Champion High School. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on during the show.
• The Boerne Village Band is celebrating its “160th plus 2” anniversary season this year. It was founded in 1860 and has been honored by the Boerne Historical Preservation Society, the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce, the city of Boerne, Kendall County and the state of Texas for “keeping alive the German music as part of our heritage.” The band is scheduled to perform a patriotic concert at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, and will feature singer Terry Slezak, Main Plaza.
HCCArts Art AfterHours 2022, Series 4 Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. in the comfort of The Classroom at the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, Boerne. Cost is $35 each session, discount with membership. Class descriptions and limited registration at www.hccarts.org/workshops.
• June 28: Indigo Dyeing. Experience the oldest form of textile dye used throughout the world for over 6,000 years. Watch the amazing transformation of this deep blue dye as it is exposed to oxygen. Practice the art of Shibori dyeing using folds, twists and forms to produce amazing patterns.
• July 5 and 12: Paper Clay Casting. Adorn a paper mache box with cast ornaments. Discover old world architectural embellishments through the process of mould casting, paint and gilding wax. The modern medium air dries to a hard solid state that can be painted and gilded to produce stunning decorative pieces for keepsakes and admiration.
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