Stampede by Tom Lea, mural at Odessa Main Post Office
Driving home after a long day, I decided to stop at the Post Office to see if I could sneak a photo of this local treasure for today's Photo A Day. It's interesting that not only do these PADs work out as a sort of scrapbook of my life, but frequently, like today, they also provide a good way to unwind.
Here's some close up pictures and the text from a Historical Marker there:
Rendered by El Paso artist Tom Lea (born 1907), the painting was commissioned by a Depression era program which placed murals in federal buildings. Chosen in national competition, Lea created the study of Texas Longhorns for Odessa's 1940 Post Office Building. Moved in 1970, the linen-backed mural weighs 700 lbs and measures 16'9" by 5'7".Over a 70-year career Lea executed other murals and many paintings. He worked as a correspondent during WW II for Life magazine. A noted illustrator, he authored and collaborated on numerous books.
The artist was partly inspired for his theme by the old ballad, "Little Joe the Wrangler." To capture the energy and action of the legendary cattle, Lea camped among herds on the range. With a flash of lightning in the background, the herd of longhorns thunders across the canvas and one of the wranglers, caught in the maelstrom, is being thrown from his horse.
3 comments:
Little Joe seems to have wrangled his last time in this picture. What an exciting photo! Our old post office has a mural of cotton and more sedate subjects.
Which Post office are you talking about? I've never seen that mural before (that I remember). It's really quite detailed.
The main post office, near the courthouse. It's been there since 1970. Before that, since 1940, it had been across the street at the old post office which is now the Health Department.
Keep an eye out at YOUR old post office. Murals created by American artists during the Depression years are installed all over the United States.
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