Flo Armstrong

Flo Armstrong began working with stained glass about twelve to fifteen years ago. While she and her husband, Don, owned and operated Armstrong’s Finer Foods, they took classes in Wichita Falls to study art. Flo’s classes were taught by the owner of Glass Werks. She has completed a number of projects, including church and home windows.

 

Rosita B. Emmons

Even as a child, Rosia Emmons always had a passion for art. Through the fire prevention posters she made in grade school, clothes and quilts she designed in her teenage years, and even in "hair art" when she became a licensed hairdresser from Marincelo Beauty College, Emmons expresses her self through her talents.

She and her husband, Elmore Emmons, found themselves in Nocona, Texas, after volunteering for the Mission Service Corps in 1986.

Rosita says, "And, as when I was young, I quilt when I'm not painting..." Not surprising, Emmons’ paintings and quilts are in high demand. She travels to quilt shows and art galleries across the nation from New York to San Antonio, and even as far as Montpelier, Vermont. She teaches quilting to anyone with a desire to learn. Rosita often donates her artwork to local benefits; her most recent contributions were "Humming bird" and "Christmas Boot."

Jeannine Fitts

Helen Fitzgerald

Helen R. Fitzgerald, though not a formally trained art major, has followed after her mother’s footsteps and made porcelain art an important part of her life.

Each piece reflects the warmth and attention to detail for which she has known. She harnesses her ability to capture the essence of a subject; one can “feel” the flowers. “Day after day, I’ve watched a piece of white china unfold through my paintings. From many colors of paint, emerges a beautiful flower of life so real that I can almost stroke the velvety flower petals,” Helen says.

One can find many of her Porcelain Art pieces in the Texas Trails Art Gallery of Nocona and also at her office at 309 Clay St., Nocona, Texas.

Artist Statement:

“My strength as an Artist comes from my love of my subject. This is obvious to all of us who has a place in our hearts for all of God’s creations. Beautifully painted, rich in detail, this collection of flowers come straight from the heart, of course, my favorite being the roses. When I make a mistake, I use it to improve the beauty of my pieces. Isn’t that the way God does with our mistakes? When given to God he only enhances the beauty of our character. May he be honored in all my efforts.”

Paula Haralson

 

Ginger Jones

A true "home grown" Texan who has called El Paso, Odessa, Wichita Falls, and now, Nocona home.

Since she sees the Lord through His creations, n ature is her primary focus. She hopes to inspire those who have not savored this treasure through her photography and inspire others to see Christ and draw near to Him.

Gary Don King

Larry Lemons

Larry Gene Lemons, born just north of Nashville, Tennessee, moved to his family's home in Ringgold, Texas, when he was 2 weeks old. Like the saying goes, he wasn't born in Texas, but he got here as soon as he could.  

Over the years, Lemons developed a well established photography business and has been recognized both on the state and national level as a Master Craftsman Photographer and by the Texas and Southwestern Professional Photographers in several exhibitions including "Judges’ Choice," "Best Portrait in the Southwest," and "Best Portrait of a Child.” In order to pursue painting on a full time basis, Lemons sold his successful photography business in 2000.  

Larry has studied with some of the country's outstanding artists including Don Ward and Ray Vinella of Taos, New Mexico; Richard McDaniel of Santa Rosa, California; and Cowboy Artists of America members Bruce Greene and Martin Grelle of Clifton, Texas.  Other outstanding artists who have been a strong influence and inspiration on his art career are Donna Howell-Sickles of Saint Jo, Texas; John Nieto; George Rodrique', George Boutwell; Mikki Senkarik; Jack White; and the late artists Georgia O'Keeffe; Vincent Van Gogh; Piet Mondrian; and Andy Warhol. 

In addition to pursuing his own personal art projects, he shares his love for art through teaching both publicly and privately. He is now in his sixth year of teaching art at Saint Jo Elementary. He has been accepted by the Texas Commission on the Arts to the qualified roster of "Artists in Education."

His work is displayed all over the country from Rhode Island and New Hampshire to California and Washington, and is shown in residences of President George Bush and Senators Kay Bailey Hutchinson and John Cornyn.

L G Lemons work is available in many art galleries across Texas and also at his art show and festivals exhibits. Furthermore, Larry’s new book The Texas Weedeater Massacre is purchasable at www.lulu.com. 

Learn more about the artist at his web page: www.aTexasStateofMind.com

Jim O. Rogers

Dr. Jim O. Rogers, a former Montague County educator and Executive Director of Region IX Education Service Center, is the founder of Rogers Publishing and Consulting, Inc., which works with many public schools of Tex as.

Artistically, Dr. Rogers has published two novels, The Rock and the Kangaroos and Taking the Dream to Prairie Point. He has written a children’s book, Eyes for Ted Bear, as well as numerous songs and poems. As a visual artist, he has worked for a number of years in enamels, and uses a unique technique of pouring paint on the canvas. His most significant work is “Yellow Feather” displayed in two galleries with the original in the Texas Trails Art Gallery in Nocona.

 

Frances Sewell

Jimmy Tompkins

A life-long artist, Tompkins has been creating art since early childhood. In Electra, Texas, his third grade teacher perceived his artistic bent and encouraged his parents to seek art instruction for their son. Under the tutelage of two local artists, Tompkins produced works in pastel and in oil, resulting in a series of drawings and paintings presented before the local Lion’s Club when the artist was only eight.

After his family moved to a small town in west Texas, Tompkins began to develop a musical talent. Tompkins earned a Bachelors degree in music with a minor in art from the University of North Texas, as well as a Masters degree in Music Theory.  

Tompkins has continued to paint throughout his career and has studied with numerous artists: ED Martin at Arkansas Henderson State University, watercolorists Elizabeth Yarosz at Texas Midwestern University and David Band of Wichita Falls, and portraitist Steve Grey, also of Wichita Falls.  

A resident of Alaska for the last sixteen years, Tompkins and his wife Elaine currently live in Anchorage. Now in retirement, he has time to focus solely on his art. A continually evolving artist, Tompkins is at ease using a variety of painting mediums; however, his primary focus lies in watercolors.

Cleo Williams

Texas Trails Art Gallery’s local artist, Cleo Williams, exhibits still life and landscapes in oil.

Williams began painting in 1976 and studied with the Nocona Art Group under the direction of a well-known local artist, Billie Lunn.

Her works have been awarded several first place ribbons and awards in local art shows, and her paintings have been sold all over, from Alaska to Hawaii. She paints for enjoyment and therapy. 

Her family of three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild encouraged her to paint through sickness and broken bones. Inspiration for her paintings comes from pleasant memories from old photographs of weathered barns, landscapes, flowers, windmills, and western trails.