About the Artists

JAY HESTER BIO

Jay's passion for Western culture is evident in his work as a Native American and Western Artist. His ability to capture the rustic beauty and depth of the people and places that define the American West has gained him many honors and awards at national juriedexhibitions and shows. And, although this subject matter is his passion, it by no means encompasses the spectrum of his talent.

After finishing college, Jay attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He then began working as an illustrator for Lockheed Aircraft Coorporation in Georgia.

After several years in the commercial art business, Jay realized his dream was to paint and sculpt full-time,and has made his home in the beautiful hill country of Boerne, Texas. . . full of history and inspiration Jay has produced many commissioned works which are displayed in prominent places throughout the great state of Texas. . . large paintings at Texas Tech University and Methodist Hospital in Lubbock. . . large bronze sculptures in other cities: Veterans Park in Boerne, the Markt Platz in Fredericksburg and also at the Woodlands outside of Houston. Jay`s diverse abilities are captured in works produced for St. Luke`s Hospital, the Zaragosa Theatre at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and at USAA, a Fortune 500 company in San Antonio. Jay invites you to browse the comprehensive selection of oil paintings, sculpture, and giclee prints available on his web site


"To absorb the essence of life and the inspiration of the world around me is my commitment to life itself. Being fortunate enough to have the ability to express this love of life in a unique way has led me to pursue creative forms of expression. . . both in clay and on canvas. My goal in life is to give this generation and the generations to come what is often held captive in the mind's eye and lost forever. I search for theessence of the subject. My hope is that when people view my work they will discover the infinite beauty of the world around them."

Jay also owns the Highland House Studios & Gallery, nestled in thebeautiful hill country of Boerne, Texas, where a quaint 100-year-old house was transformed into a charming gallery of fine art. Highland House showcases original paintings, bronze sculptures & canvas giclee prints by renowned artists Jay Hester, Virgil Graves, Becky Rogers, Bill Scheidt, Sidney Sinclair & Charles Watkins.Voted "Best of the Best art gallery in town for eight years!Our hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4pm and we are available by appointment.




FEATURED ARTISTS AT THE HIGHLAND HOUSE GALLERY. . .

VIRGIL GRAVES

Medium: Bronze sculpture

Subjects: Wildlife & native peoples

Web site: www.virgilgraves.com


Virgil combines his love and respect for the outdoors with his passion for the arts to create bronze sculptures that capture the visual beauty,emotion, energy and power of his subjects. His sculptures have gained him many honors and awards in juried shows and exhibitions; however, his greatest rewards have come from thewarm and lasting friendships he has experienced with the people and wildlife that have been part of this journey.


"I am inspired to create sculptures that evoke powerful emotions and special moments or experiences for the observer."

BECKY ROGERS

Medium: Oil on canvas

Subjects: Landscapes, still lifes, florals &

Texas hill country bluebonnet landscapes

Web site: www.BeckyRogers.com


After a successful career in banking and as an owner of a graphics business, Becky has finally fulfilled her childhood dream of pursuing a career as an artist. This Texas Hill Country transplant from Kansas feels she is at her best when she is creating. Her oil paintings include florals, still life, and colorful landscapes that often reflect her love of South Texas bluebonnet fields. Her mastery of light and texture give her work a sense of timeless drama and elegance. Becky is an award winning artist and has collectors nationally and internationally. Her work has been published in both Country Lifestyle and Southwest Art magazines. She has participated in invitational shows and continues to expand her skill through workshops with Gregg Kruetz of the Art Students League in New York City, Johnnie Liliedahl at her School of Classical Oil Painting, Jean Chambers, Robert Johnson, and others. She continues to study with the well-known artist, Jay Hester.


"Through my art, I share with others a heightened awareness of the awe and wonder of my world. I feel when we are able to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings, we are enriched. If I can reflect that beauty on my canvas, I have achieved a lifelong goal."

BILL SCHEIDT

Medium: Oil on canvas

Subjects: Cowboys, Native Americans, wildlife & portraits

Web site: www.billscheidt.com


Bill has always had a love of art... even as a very young child. He is a successful painter who loves to paint with oil on canvas to convey the infinite beauty and power of North American wildlife, and to keep alive the traditions and lifestyle of the Western Cowboy and Native American. Essentially self-taught, Bill has studied with several members of the Cowboy Artists of America and has exhibited in major invitational shows and competitions. And although he has received many awards, his goal is to bring joy to all who view his work.


"I feel privileged to be the instrument of our Creator... to be able to execute works of art that bring joy and insight to others."

SIDNEY SINCLAIR

Medium: Oil on linen, watercolor & mixed media

Subjects: Romantic realism & abstract expressionism

depicting still life, floral, architecture & portraiture

Web site: www.sidneysinclair.com


Sidney`s passion for her work is evident in every piece she creates. And, although painting in oil is her favorite medium, she is proficient in watercolor and mixed media. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University in San

Antonio, Texas, and has studied with David Leffel and Greg Kruetz of the Art Student League in New York City, and continues to study with renowned artist, Jay Hester. Her work has been published in American Art Review, Country Lifestyle Magazine and Southwest Art Magazine. Sidney has participated in many invitational shows and has also been featured in one-woman shows in San Antonio, Texas, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sidney has collectors throughout the United States and Europe.



"Art is an adventure, a life-long journey, an experience of creative self- expression. I am inspired by the beauty of nature and the people who surround me. I paint from the heart with emotion and interpretive insight to capture the romance, the beauty and the mystery of life with passion, creativity, excitement and visual power. I want to ignite the imagination and innermost feelings of each and every viewer. I am thankful for this gift and the ability to share with others what has become my life`s work."

CHARLES WATKINS

Medium: Oil on canvas

Subjects: Still Lifes and Wildlife

After an Air Force career in hospital administration, Charles earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at UTSA majoring in drawing and sculpture. He then taught art in high school and worked extensively, almost exclusively, with gifted students in social studies, art history and art.

Now retired from that second career, he is eagerly focusing his time and energy on his own art. He continues to teach art at Highland House Studios & Gallery and has recently studied with artists Robert Johnson and Huihan Liu.


"The artist David Leffel urges the painter to let the paint be light. What a challenge! This is my fascination rather than any particular type of subject matter. Everything looks great when the light is right. In fact, it`s the light that looks great."