Local
Artist Robert Summers
Of
the American artists dedicated to portraying the Civil War it
is doubtful that any could have been motivated by the same personal
experience as Texan Robert Summers.
Golden Moment
|
High Water Crossing |
Last Cup |
"My
great Aunt may have been the last surviving widow from the Civil
War," Summers says. "I have to check that out someday
to make sure. But I used to deliver her Confederate pension check.
It came from the US Treasury, and I'll never forget that it had
a Rebel Flag on it. It was only $30 a month, a lot of money to
me then. I wish I had her check now just to be able to keep it:'
When Summers was delivering these checks there were only three
surviving widows in the south.
Silver Dollar Jim
|
We've Got Him |
When The Boss Is Away |
Living
in Glen Rose, Texas, Summers is strongly influenced by two American
traditions, the Old West and the Civil War. In tribute to his
outstanding abilities he was selected to sculpt an enormous trail
drive scene in bronze for downtown Dallas under the banner of
the Dallas Parks Foundation. The work, consisting of three horses
and riders, along with 70 longhorn steers, may be the largest
bronze project in North America in numbers of figures in a contiguous
piece.
"Just
the whole concept of the Civil War intrigues me," Summers
says. "I guess the true purpose of the war was to test the
mettle of the unity of the country. When you study the Civil War
there wasn't much romance about it, but we romanticize it today".
Summers cites men such as Lee, Jackson, Forrest, Longstreet and
Hood as exemplifying our romantic vision of great battles and
dashing heroes.
Summers
describes his work as "painterly." He is detailed to
a point but doesn't carry it throughout the painting. In his work,
he clearly defines the subject but things that aren't critical
to the overall work aren't hewn as sharply. Summers is a traditionalist.
He receives inspiration from Howard Pyle, one of the greatest
teachers in America who taught many of the great illustrators
around the turn of the century. "Many of his pupils became
better painters than he was, but he was a superb teacher and he
made a statement that I have read many times," Summers said.
"Pyle said, 'Son if you want to paint a shoe, become the
shoe."'
Summers'
abundance of talent was recognized at an early age and he earned
school money during the summer working as a sign painter. And
while painting in his spare time, he pursued a professional career
as a draftsman and technical illustrator.
His
career as an artist received a major boost when he was introduced
to the four hundred year old painting medium of egg tempera by
fellow artist Ronald Thomason. The medium requires a methodical
technique, and Summers credits this experience with an immediate
improvement in the quality of his work. The power of his colors
and his superb coupling of realistic and impressionist styles
give each painting its drama. The very personal feeling one receives
from a Robert Summers painting conveys a deep sense of commitment
on the part of the artist not merely to this subject, but to art
itself.
"Egg
tempera demands discipline,” he noted. "You have to
completely think the subject out, and it really turned my style
around:' The medium suited Summers' style and he soon thereafter
began marketing his work to galleries in his home area of Dallas.
The offers began coming in and his career took flight. Summers
is an experimenter, having worked with acrylics, pastels, water
colors, egg tempera, and now for his civil war subjects, he prefers
oils.
Summers
is an award-winning and founding member of the Texas Association
of Professional Artist (TAPA), having captured the associations
Best of Show, First Prize for Oils, Popular Vote and Membership
Awards. In 1975, the Governor of Texas named Summers Texas' bicentennial
artist. He has been presented a gold medal by the Franklin Mint
as yet another tribute to the outstanding quality of his work.
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