Teaching 5th Graders at Langley Elementary

One of the highlights of my family's year has been the dedication of a new elementary school in Northside School District in San Antonio in the name of my father Ralph Langley. The staff and students have been so warm and welcoming to us. Yesterday I worked with the art teacher, left, Jessica Allen, to teach a class on portraiture to 90 fifth graders! We had a lot of fun, and three of their classmates served as models. I'm talking about "Jose Ascension de Gasca," a favorite painting (note Longhorns in background).

"Mollie II and III"

After completing a commission of Mollie this summer, I had so many good poses of this great model that I wanted to present her in different moods and sizes. The far painting is smaller, 14x16, and the other is much larger, 20x24.

Fall's Here

But I am still focused on all the material from the great summer in Martha's Vineyard. Pictured here is "Susa," the daughter of the Old Sculpin Gallery manager Melissa, who is masterful at running the gallery and who offered her striking daughter as a model for one of my portrait classes.

"Mollie"

I just completed this 14x20 portrait of Mollie Richards, whose aunt purchased the portrait at the yearly silent auction at the Settings fundraiser here in Austin. Mollie had more enchanting and natural poses than I could possibly paint, and I love this one in the garden of her home.

I have also added new paintings from this summer in Martha's Vineyard to the online album to the right including "Chappy Ferry" and "Edgartown Welcome," as well as "Texas Cactus" and "San Antonio Sunday" from here.

Martha's Vineyard July 2009 Exhibit Update

The two-week summer exhibition went well, with great attendance at the receptions and strong sales. The two works below -- "Menemsha Red White & Blue," and "Paris Cafe" -- were both sold in addition to the strongest of the "Jaws Jumpers" series, pictured on the right long wall below. Here are some photos of the attendees and buyers, as well as several of the classes I taught -- in portraiture and still life. My work will continue on exhibit through the season in the Members' Gallery.

Martha's Vineyard Exhibit, July 4 - 19, 2009, Old Sculpin Gallery, Martha's Vineyard Art Association

Please join me for my two-week exhibition at the Old Sculpin. Here are several of the new works I'll be showing: "Paris Cafe" and "Menemsha Red White & Blue". I have added three works to my "Jaws Bridge Jumpers" series that was popular last season -- two depicting girls jumping from the other side of the bridge, as well as viewers and picture takers on the adjacent shoal. The show opens July 4 and the opening reception is Sunday, July 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. and a second reception the next Sunday, July 12, same time. My exhibit closes July 19 but selected works from my collection will remain in the Members' Gallery all season until it closes for the season in late October.

Recent Awards and Exhibitions

"Jose Ascencion de Gasca"

Third Place Portraiture, Austin Pastel Society Spring Exhibition, May 2009

Merit Award, North Hills Art Exhibit by APS, Winter 2008

Texas Pastel Society Exhibition, April 2009, Coppini Gallery, San Antonio

Jose is a master stonemason in Austin. His son Yahen is my friend Jak's partner. He also built my porch in Austin!

"Clam Digger at Dusk"

Texas Pastel Society Exhibition, April 2009, Coppini Gallery, San Antonio

Clamdigging is a favorite pursuit on Martha's Vineyard. This man was clamming in Sengenkontacket Pond late one afternoon.