Back Talk

Alan says: I am in favor of limiting the governor to two consecutive terms. But blacklisting someone after eight years altogether, regardless of how good or bad they did their job, can needlessly force an effective public official out of public service. Many state governors throughout history have served well over eight years without their constituents regretting it. I would point out that such a system is wholly unworkable in twenty-first century America: we live in the era of the permanent campaign and the 24-hour news cycle. A governor facing re-election every other year would essentially do nothing but fundraise (which is close to what most do anyway even with four-year terms). (November 19th, 2009 at 11:09pm)

Stories on Art

A Native American storyteller and the experts from San Antonio’s Centro Cultural Aztlan teach Andrea Valdez how to build a Día de los Muertos altar.
by [November 2009]

Texas City–native Opie Otterstad discusses painting sports figures, being a Texan, and signing bats.
by Kristin Ellertson [October 2009]

Self-proclaimed artist Jim Huntington spends his days in Coupland toiling away with clay models and giving shape to large pieces of granite.
by Wendy Moncada [July 2009]

Two chic boutiques on Alameda Street in Corpus Christi.
by Julia Mullen Gordon [April 2009]

Childhood memories come to life in the work of Chicana artist Carmen Lomas Garza.
by Rena Behar [April 2009]

Every piece of jewelry Zoltan David makes is hand-forged—and he doesn’t make copies. 
by Sarah Sumadi [March 2009]

How a teenager from Trophy Club became an “It Girl.”   
by Julia Mullen Gordon [March 2009]

When I want to know what’s new, what’s out, what’s it, I visit my five favorite blogs. 
by Kristie Ramirez [March 2009]

Kate Hersch and Lance Avery Morgan, the principals behind August Morgan, know how to throw a great party. Just mix champagne with friends and toss in some vintage needlepoint pillows. 
by Patricia Busa McConnico [March 2009]

A new film presents a never-before-seen look at Dominique de Menil in her curatorial element.
Interview by Jordan Breal [March 2009]

Yes, Virginia, there is some art in Austin.
by Eileen Smith [March 2009]

I attended the premiere of Oliver Stone’s "W." at the Austin Film Festival. Hopefully I can spare you the same fate.
by Eileen Smith [October 2008]

I know her as my mother, whose womb I emerged from more than fifty years ago. They—the million or so quilting fanatics, mostly women, who spend hours a day with needle, thread, fabric, and sewing machine—know her as a celebrity. She can’t believe it either.
by Michael Hall [January 2008]

A look inside the world of quilting at the International Quilting Festival—the largest convention in Houston.
[January 2008]

A menagerie of team mascots at work—and play.
Photography by Jeff Minton [October 2007]

Jeanne Klein on the art of collecting.
Interview by Evan Smith [September 2007]

After spending a few days at the Capitol among the operatives and the onlookers, I began to draw some … conclusions.
Sketchbook by Steve Brodner [July 2007]

How Dirk Fowler became the state’s latest, greatest poster artist.
by Katy Vine [June 2007]

José Cisneros, the legendary illustrator of the Spanish Southwest, is 96, almost blind, and nearly deaf. And, of course, he has no plans to put down his pen.
by Gary Cartwright [December 2006]

A salute to some of our favorite gridiron heroes.
[September 2006]

The childhood homes of nine famous Texans.
Interview by Jordan Breal [December 2005]

Illustrator Jody Hewgill on where she finds inspiration and deciding how to portray Whole Foods’ co-founder and CEO John Mackey.
Interview by Katherine Sands [March 2005]

Illustrator Tim Bower, who worked on this month’s cover story, talks about drawing, humor, and his favorite Bum Steer.
Interview by Kimberly Jeffries [January 2005]

Artist Brad Holland, who illustrated this month's cover story, "A Texas Survival Kit," talks about inspiration and tornados.
Interview by Stirling Kelso [October 2004]

Watercolor landscapes, pre-Columbian objects— and a painting by Modigliani.
by Rebecca S. Cohen [September 2004]

In this summer of D-day nostalgia, we pause to remember the unsung heroines of World War II: the pinup girls painted on the noses of B-24's and other planes for luck and inspiration. Some of the most colorful artwork is on permanent display in Midland. Permission to view it granted.
by Katharyn Rodemann [August 2004]

The Houston Ballet's new artistic director, Stanton Welch, talks about growing up in Australia; creating the evening-length work, Tales of Texas; and replacing Ben Stevenson.
Interview by Ingrid Grobey [March 2004]

Associate photography editor Leslie Baldwin discusses assigning photographers, editing pictures, and researching George W. Bush
Interview by Ingrid Grobey [February 2004]

Photographer O. Rufus Lovett talks about capturing Aggie spirit on film.
Interview by Christan M. Thomas [January 2004]

In September 1985 this magazine published twenty portraits from Richard Avedon's landmark "In the American West" series. I worked with the celebrated photographer on those shoots, and I documented the making of many memorable images. Here are five great behind-the-scenes stories.
by Laura Wilson [November 2003]

At UT's Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, extraordinary cultural treasures are available for your inspection—if you know the magic word.
by John Spong [October 2003]

Photographer Peter Yang talks about hanging out at the Texas Union and the key to taking a great portrait.
Interview with Peter Yang [October 2003]

Three South Padre Island artists work on the beach, but don't call them bums.
by Patrick Michels [June 2003]

My divorce made me what I am today.
As told to Jan Jarboe Russell [February 2003]

Gary Tanhauser, who illustrated "Two Barmaids, Five Alligators, and the Butcher of Elmendorf," talks about how he approaches his work.
Interview by Stacy Hollister [July 2002]

At Bo Knows Southwest Grill in Winters, co-owner Marlene Gardner's art is on display. She hopes her leather angels speak to others as they speak to her.
by Gina Petrelli [June 2002]

Three sites near Del Rio with outstanding examples of rock art makes learning about ancient history fun for moms and dads. Kids too.
by Eileen Schwartz [June 2002]

Austin's new Bob Bullock museum sports six bas-reliefs that tell the story of Texas. Here's how a sculptor and a team of artisans made them, like the museum's namesake, larger than life.
by John Spong [April 2001]

With Fort Worth’s Michael Auping as a curator and nine of the state’s artists participating, this year’s Whitney Biennial puts a New York spotlight on the art of Texas.
by Michael Ennis [February 2000]

He looks like a cross between Ed Asner and Uncle Charley from My Three Sons, but don’t get Dave Hickey started on the subject of beauty— his own or anyone else’s.
by Michael Hall [February 2000]

Anne Dingus on Lonesome Dove, Chester Rosson on Scott Joplin, Michael Hall on Buddy Holly, Don Graham on Giant, John Morthland on Ornette Coleman, Eileen Schwartz on Greater Tuna, Jennifer Olsen on Conan the Barbarian, and Michael Ennis on the painter of the century.
by [December 1999]

Sixteen years after rocketing into the Whitney Biennial, Dallas photographer Nic Nicosia is still on the cutting edge.
by Michael Ennis [November 1999]

Once upon a time, you went to a museum to see what was inside. Now you go to see the museum itself—and nowhere is this trend more in evidence than in Texas.
by Rebecca S. Cohen [September 1999]

Artist of the portrait.
by Anne Dingus [September 1999]

Austin painter Julie Speed is the latest ascendant to the ranks of art royalty. Talk about a brush with greatness.
by Anne Dingus [August 1999]

From antique benches to cast-iron planters, a selective guide to the yard art of your dreams.
by Suzy Banks [June 1999]

Sculpting a legacy.
by Michael Ennis [September 1998]

With a major retrospective of his work at three Houston museums, Robert Rauschenberg is once again the talk of Texas. What’s he been up to? A portrait of the artist as an old man.
by Michael Ennis [March 1998]

Less than a decade ago, she was a homemaker and an arts volunteer, but today the Arlington Museum of Art’s Joan Davidow is the most imaginative and adventurous museum director working in Texas.
by Michael Ennis [January 1998]

The ceramic designs created by these four Texas studios will look great in your kitchen or bathroom—and except for their shape, there’s nothing square about them.
by Patricia Sharpe [November 1997]

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