Houston Art Galleries

Museums, art galleries, polished floors and sleek décor with paintings from Monet or Picasso is the first image to mind when thinking Houston Art Galleries. Sculptures and contemporary art, oil paintings and drawings, sidewalk chalk to ice sculptures, Houston is a culture of artist and many unique artist with a style of their own. Many Houston artist, although having much exposure and cliental, still remain unknown to Houston and the world. Those with the money to purchase masterpieces will not consider galleries that "art" not in the city or in a prestigious gallery. For the expert art collectors though, will they go anywhere to find a masterpiece for their collection? What is a masterpiece? I found several masterpieces, which I will give my definition of a masterpiece, in a tiny store in Old Town Spring, Texas. Walking into a small house, no larger than 700 sq. ft., with wooden floors, I found a gentleman offering hospitality and conversation, offering friendship and showing his customers a warm welcome the first step into the gallery. The gentleman is artist Donny Hickmott, owner of Walking Horse Gallery in Old Town Spring. He is a painter who will not define himself beyond being Donny Hickmott, who says his gift is painting people and animals. Living out the dream of his dad, he offers paintings that people from all over the world visiting Old Town Spring take home as "their piece of Texas" says Donny. The paintings in this Old Town Spring art gallery are an eye opener, better than some of the best Houston art galleries.

Interviewing artist Donny Hickmott, I found a master artist hidden away in this small historical town of Old Town Spring. "A Good painter has two main objects to paint, man and intention of his soul. The former is easy, the latter hard as he has to represent it by the attitude and movement of the limbs." Leonardo da Vince (ArtQuotes.Net) The mood and soul of the contents of Hickmott's paintings is prevalent. This is not easy for him but, easier than painting per say landscapes. "As an artist, you do try to capture the mood, movements and attitude of each individual." He said that is part of the essence of an artist and his/ her paintings. Hickmott has a style of his own that became obvious as I continued the questions. Continuing on with another quote from da Vince, "Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art," which Hickmott agreed, especially with his own work but, even with consignments, Hickmott said that even if the idea of the painting is from someone else besides the artist, the artist must have the spirit of the idea to succeed at that painting. But, the one quote that caught me off guard from da Vince, "Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master," which Hickmott replied, "I am self taught," thus he never had a teacher. Comparing Hickmott to other artist's styles did not seem appropriate as Hickmott pointed out the uniqueness of his paintings being that the backgrounds were abstract in nature, which "brings out the realness of the people and the animals." But, Hickmott does not consider himself a master as he stated a quote hung in his gallery, "I learn from each painting I do so, I do not know if I will ever master my own craft."

As the interview progressed, my amazement and respect grew finding out he previously judged other art shows throughout the Southwest, his paintings printed on the front cover of over 30 magazines but, his paintings do all the talking for him. With no formal art education, no training, what makes Hickmott tick and or where did he get is experience from. Hickmott replied, "I believe I have been given a gift." He must have at the least, had artist he admired through his childhood and career. Two of the artist he named was Howard Terpning, an artist focused on American Indian art, and Paul Calle, an artist dedicated to America's Western heritage. Both types of art can be seen in Hickmott's paintings with scenes from the Canadian Rockies to Colorado, Texas and other parts of the Southwest including a painting of Charlie, a well known American Indian. During the interview I focused on five particular paintings of interest: The Lone Star Lady, Thoughts Down Another Path, a Touch of Class, The Right to Keep and Bear Arms and The Highlander. The Lone Star Lady, a friend who posed for the most sought out painting of his collection for foreigners looking for a painting of Texas. The ladies name is Mikey, a friend of Hickmott's who is a professional sign painter. The Thoughts Down Under though, "The one painting I will not sell," says Hickmott is of a lady at the Texas Renaissance festival who appeared to be quite comfortable in her costume of a pilgrim like dress. He asked her if he could take a photograph to do the painting. Two years later meeting up with the lady, Elizabeth, drew tears as she saw one of the best works of Hickmott's career. The most prevalent public success in my opinion is the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is hung at the Marine Corp base in Quantico, VA.

Ending the interview, I asked Donny what is in the future for him. Donny replied, "Painting and I will not be able to get all the ideas I have stored up here on canvas." Donny paints from ideas and life's memories and I asked Donny, what can you say to inspiring artists trying to make a name for them? "You become the artist that you want to be by the miles of canvas that you leave behind you." Inspired by artist such as Calle and Terpning, self taught and earned the respect of the artistic community, he previously judged other artist, created Texas art that foreigners chose to be their memory of Texas and opened his own gallery in Old Town Spring. Being a man of such good nature, friendliness and hospitality, Hickmott has made and continues to make many friends. With all his talent, a gallery with numerous paintings created throughout his career, Walking Horse Gallery is a must visit in Old Town Spring. You can visit his website at DonnyHickmott.Com or find directions to his store on our Old Town Spring magazine, OldTownSpringLIFE.Com.