Introduction by Artist Robert Hurst
Howdy all you hepcats! Welcome to my first blog entry. I will try to keep ya’ll up to date with all the neat stuff happening out there that you may find of interest.
First off, thanks for keeping my easel busy. I received some very interesting commissions (some still potentials) through contacts at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar including; Eric Clapton; Les Paul; a suite of jazz themed paintings for an aficionado; a new Heisman piece; and Blaze Foley. I’m working on the painting of Blaze Foley and hope to have it completed in a week or two. This February is the 10th anniversary of his untimely death. He is being inducted into a music hall of fame in March (not sure which one as of this posting). Foley had an eventful life and created some great music. Check out his web site at blazefoley.com.
My new painting titled Austin Heart and Soul got rave reviews at it’s unveiling at the “Dillo”. And several folks are interested in it. It was a fun piece to do, as I spoke with many Austin’s “caretakers” to help me whittle the selection down to four music icons. Choosing which iconic clubs to add was just as difficult. The results: an interesting composition and education in Austin music history along the way
My January is pretty much dedicated to completing seven paintings for the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (my annual gig for them), but I squeeze in a little music work from time to time to keep it all interesting. Kyle Rote Jr., Ladainian Tomlinson, Steve Worster and Lee Roy Jordan paintings are in progress. Still to go are Bill Bradley, Abe Lemons and Rolando Blackman… must get started by next week. If anyone would like to attend the TSHOF induction on March 4th, let me know or contact the Texas Sports Hall of Fame directly. This is their 50th anniversary so ALL past inductees have been invited… ought to be quite the party. Woo Hoo!!!
Speaking of the Heisman commission, anyone who would like me to do a Heisman painting for them needs to speak up. I will see Roger Staubach, Joe Bellino and Pete Dawkins on January 23rd in Houston. I can get your Heisman painting signed for the going rate per athlete. The 2009 Heisman event in Austin is June 1st through the 7th. The big dinner is June 5th. Anyone who wants to attend should contact me. I had two tables last year and most who attended last year are coming back, plus some new friends have been added. I may have to add a table. This is the biggest gathering of Heisman winners outside of the actual induction in New York. I’ve gotten to know some of these fella’s fairly well and they are a classy bunch of guys.
Lastly, I’d like to introduce ya’ll to a good friend and phenomenal artist named Kyle Polzin. Look on his website and you’ll be amazed. Punch in kylepolzin.com/hurst to see the piece he did for me. Good luck commissioning this dude. He’s busy, busy, busy. He and his wife Leigh are expecting their second child within the next 2 weeks. (Love you bro’, but don’t ask me to change no diapers.)
Alright, now I’m boring myself (no offense Kyle!) so I’ll say adios. I’ll try to blog weekly so keep in touch or you might miss something. (Probably not, but you just never know!) In the mean time, we’ll also use this blog to post upcoming shows and event details (some of which I mentioned above).
P.S. Feel free to ask me any questions, just be prepared for an honest answer.
Robert
Themocracy
I thought I did this already. Lance Berkman will NOT be inducted this year. Bummer.
wow! world-class artist and a writer, too. i second the “good luck with Polzin” statement. i had no luck at all.
to all who have not been: the Texas Sports HOF event is great fun.
keep ‘em, coming.
Wow! Great blog. Think this is the most I have heard out of you….EVER! Way to go. Look forward to more postings and best to Pam as well! Hope you guys had a great holiday.
I enjoyed the first entry in your blog. Keep up the good work. XO