1980 Texas Shade
Inspired by a historic season that etched itself into the memory of long-time Texans, 1980 Texas Shade explores community, childhood, and endurance during the brutal 1980 Texas heatwave. That summer, regional temperatures frequently spiked to a blistering 113 degrees, creating a monotonous stretch of intense heat that forced everyone to adjust their daily rhythms just to get by.
This piece looks past the record-breaking statistics to find the small, human moments occurring right on the boiling pavement. It contrasts a brilliant, wide Texas sky against a group of neighborhood kids mapping out their day from the temporary safety of a shaded curb.
The painting is executed in deep oil layers over a painted-over, repurposed wood panel, transforming a mass-produced home decor surface into a canvas with its own built-in wooden frame.
