Art Travels
Reese Kennedy was my mother’s older brother. He was an artist. He was a complex, soft-spoken man, but there was a richness and generosity in that complexity. He was kind and gentle, and loved his family very much.
I’ve written the story of convincing Uncle Reese to draw a Texas Longhorn for me when I was five. What I didn’t tell was how that ink and chalk drawing later disappeared.
I assumed that it was lost or accidentally tossed when my parents moved several years after I graduated from college. I would think of it often, but eventually gave up on ever seeing it again. I was sad that this icon from childhood was lost and possibly destroyed.
While attending Reese’s funeral, I thought again about that drawing while hearing stories of those he influenced over the course of his life. Stories were shared of his work as an artist, teacher, father and friend. He had led a distinguished life personally and professionally. He was a founding member and first president of the Southwest Watercolor Society and taught art at Stephen F. Austin University prior to his retirement.
Several years later I was helping my parents clean Aunt Lucille’s home following her death in Nacogdoches, Texas. She and Reese were both highly respected watercolor artists.
While I was sorting through books, Reese’s son-in-law, Larry walked in and said, “Is this something that belongs to you?” He was holding the Texas Longhorn drawing. My parents theorized that they had given it to Reese years before, with the idea of having him make a frame for it in the frame shop of his Nacogdoches art gallery. It ended up in one of his collection folders and time passed by as it sat safely in his home.
I had the drawing framed, and it is now on display in a prominent place where I see it daily, thankful for this gift from the past. Knowing Reese, he would humbly say, “If I’d realized how special this drawing was going to be to you, I would have spent more time on it.” I would reply that in dealing with me at age five, he probably needed to make that longhorn appear quickly to hold my attention. It was beautiful to me then and still is today.
I posted the initial story of this drawing in January of 2014.
In July, I received the following email from the feedback page of my blog.
Jim
I think I have one of your uncle’s watercolors. The signature matches the one on your longhorn painting. The piece I have is a watercolor of a log cabin. Would you like me to email you a photo of it for you to see?
Scott Dressel-Martin
Scott
I would enjoy seeing a photo of the painting and forwarding it to Reese’s daughter. Reese was a founding member and first president of the Southwest Watercolor Society. He was a wonderful person.
Scott Dressel-Martin lives in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. After visiting his web site, I realized he was a gifted professional photographer. He once worked with one of my favorite nature photographers, Galen Rowell. I was delighted that my blog entry had led me to an artist who appreciated Reese’s art.
Then in August, the story continued.
Jim
At long last, here is a photo of the painting I think is by your uncle. Thank you for your patience. It’s about 20×24 framed, and it’s beautiful. I keep thinking it doesn’t match anything in my house, but it’s such a lovely painting I was never able to let it go.
Does this look like his work and signature to you?
I was given the painting by a friend in Vail about 20 years ago as he was moving out of town. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.
Cheers!
Scott,
That’s my Uncle Reese for sure! That is a beautiful painting. He once drove up scenic Hwy 7 through Arkansas, stopping to paint and photograph old barns and structures. Could have been that this old barn was from one of those trips. Or, it might have been a scene from East Texas. Thanks for sharing the photo.
The next message from Scott was a complete surprise.
Jim,
Now that we’ve determined that this is your Uncle’s work I’d like to make you an offer. If you’d be willing to pay for the shipping I’d be happy to give you the painting. I love the piece but it truly doesn’t fit in our home decor. It would make my wife and I very happy to know the work is being appreciated and cherished by someone that has a connection to it. It would feel like the piece is going home in a way.
Scott,
Wow! Must say you’ve brought a tear to my eye with your kind offer. I would be delighted to have this painting and would treasure it for years to come.
Just let me know the cost after you ship and I’ll gladly reimburse you to your Garland St. address. I will also make a donation to the David Kennedy Music Scholarship fund in appreciation for your gift to me. David, a gifted classical guitarist, was Reese’s son pursuing a doctorate in music performance from North Texas State University in the 1980s when he died in his early 30s. Reese’s daughter, Carol, has applied any sales of his paintings to the scholarship fund over the years.
Jim,
Excellent!! I will have the painting shipped in the next week and let you know when it’s on the way.
It is wonderful to know that we are playing a small part in helping the scholarship fund. Music and theater are important to us and helping students in need is always a worthy endeavor.
I can’t wait for you to have this painting!
Cheers!!
And so, this is how another painting by Reese Kennedy came into my possession. It is perfect for my office and even ties in with our school colors of green and gold. I look at this painting and think of Reese’s brushes shaping every inch as he sat behind his easel along Highway 7 or somewhere in an East Texas field.
Reese was an artist. He couldn’t help but paint, but I wonder if he had any inkling of the paths some of his art would travel? That one of his drawings would be “lost” then found and cherished years later. I think he would be pleased to know that his work would be treasured and shared for years into the future.
I enjoyed showing Reese’s painting to co-workers and sharing the story behind that big box in the office.
The painting was shipped with care. After seeing this photo, Carol (Reese’s daughter) said this is what Reese called called “ink and wash” technique — some drawing with india ink (often with a quill) and when the ink dried, he would add the watercolor washes.
Memorable Burger at Bailey’s
Recently I attended a school principals’ conference in Hot Springs. Heading home up Central Avenue, I saw Bailey’s Old Fashioned Hamburger and couldn’t resist a quick stop. I enjoyed visiting with the owner who had grown up in the area. He said Bailey’s was built in 1938, but my first memories went back to the 1980s when I attended an Arkansas Bandmasters’ Association conference just a few blocks away.
Following a day of workshops, Dr. Don Kramer, John Webb, and I walked up Central Ave. to Bailey’s. Dr. Kramer taught trumpet at Henderson State University. John was my supervising teacher during my internship. A highlight of Dr. Kramer’s career must have been teaching me in brass methods class. One day he looked kindly at me and sighed, “Thank goodness you play percussion.”
As we approached the front of Bailey’s, we gave a friendly greeting to the elderly lady behind the screen window. There was no response.
Dr. Kramer ordered something like a burger, fries, and a soft drink. The response to his order was a scowl and statement laced with profanity, asking why in the world anyone would order in such a way. Dr. Kramer laughed until he had tears. We were confused but laughed along. The lady flatly told Dr. Kramer what he should have ordered, and he agreed, still teary eyed.
John ordered next. His order drew the same response. He had not ordered as she thought he should have. By now we were all howling with laughter. John ordered as she dictated.
Having watched the two previous attempts, I had it figured out. I wanted something that was just slightly different than the special the lady was recommending. I received the same critical comments and gladly agreed to order as she indicated I should. Dr. Kramer and John enjoyed laughing at my ineffective attempt.
We sat at a picnic table and enjoyed our burger and fries. I don’t think we made any more attempts to converse with the elderly lady crouching behind the little screen window. The combination of her verbal attacks and Dr. Kramer’s response made for an entertaining dinner at Bailey’s and some special memories with good friends.
Don Kramer was a musical giant and John Webb was one of his best students Here’s a recording of Dr. Kramer performing with John Webb’s Camden Fairview High School in April of 1978. I was Dr. Kramer’s worst trumpet student in brass class, but he was kind and encouraged my drumming. I was honored to know him.
Dr. Don Kramer, Trumpet Professor at Henderson State University
Painful Memory Contains Lessons
From the Principal…
My mother met a lady recently who said she rode the bus with me when we were in school. She was being bullied by some boys and said I intervened to make them stop. She asked my mother to tell me she never forgot this. I was pleased to hear that I did the right thing in that situation but had no memory of the event.
Unfortunately, I have a clear memory of another event from those years. While sitting in a football stadium visiting with friends, the subject of a new student came up. There was some laughter about the person and I chimed in with a cutting comment that drew more laughter. A moment later I realized the person who was the target of our laughter was sitting in front of us and heard every word. She did not react but quietly moved down a few rows. I sat there feeling sick.
If I had said something as simple as, “She’s cool,” that might have dampened the comments and laughter. But no, I was more interested in fitting in than protecting the feelings of others. I was not an “up stander.”
Why do I remember this event after so many years? It still stings as if it happened yesterday. I’ve never shared this story with anyone until now, but this memory contains lessons that I continue to learn from today.
1. Speak kind words to others. Stop and think before saying something critical. There are times when it’s appropriate to be critical of ideas. But, it’s possible to be critical of ideas without being critical of people.
2. Treat others as you want to be treated.
3. When someone is being hurt, try to be an “up stander” rather than a bystander or participant.
We all make mistakes, but it’s important to learn from them, even the embarrassing and painful ones. Saying something hurtful toward someone may become a painful memory we regret. My hope is that the kindness we show others will be remembered and shared for years to come.
Principal Notes 