View the Exhibition Catalogue PDF - William Reaves Fine Art

The Paths to Abstraction:
Paintings by Otis Huband and Jim Woodson
January 26 - February 16, 2013

The Paths to Abstraction: Paintings by Otis Huband and Jim Woodson
In The Paths to Abstraction, WFRA takes great pride in
showing a strong selection of recent works by two accomplished
and respected veterans of the Texas art scene —
Otis Huband and Jim Woodson. This exhibition follows our
successful Texas Expressionism show, and continues our
reflection upon the dynamic qualities of abstract paintings
by Texas artists. In this show, the divergent brands of abstraction
produced by these two seasoned artists combine
to create a compelling two-man exhibition. Both artists
demonstrate uncommon skill and compositional acuity in
their chosen modes of abstraction. Likewise, both yield
incredibly beautifully canvases textured in rich color and
exuding with energy. So with the quality and workmanship
analogous, it is the contrast of their abstract styles that provides
the power and story-line for this show. The splendid
differences in the works of these two fine artists underscore
the fact that exceptional abstract canvases may assume
many forms, and that the best works derive their particular
form from the creative vision or “path” to abstraction which
each artist chooses to pursue.
Otis Huband, whom we consider to be a local genius at
work in our city, has been a fixture on the Houston scene
since the mid-60s, teaching art and methodically producing
grand paintings and collages. While consistently maintaining
abstract references to figurative subject matter, Huband
offers more non-representational renderings than his exhibition
counterpart; with works reflecting a highly-charged,
frenetic style of humanistic expressionism.
On the other hand, Jim Woodson, recently retired from a
three-decade teaching career at Texas Christian University,
produces ethereal, finely-worked abstracts which are inspired
by the natural landscape and organic forms of the
high desert country in Texas and New Mexico. While using
landscape as a representational frame of reference, Woodson
skillfully transforms his paintings into amazing abstractions
simply by accentuating phenomena which he feels or
observes as desert earth, wind, and light colliding to ignite
mysterious, surrealistic “incidents” or energy bursts within
the rigorous terrain.
Both of these artists have obviously pursued divergent
intellectual paths to produce engaging abstract paintings of
great quality, and the results of each are quite exceptional.
To us, this grand divergence in subject and style reinforces
the infinite possibilities presented by great abstract painting.
The works of these two esteemed artists also remind
us that the best of abstract painters possess incredible facility
with paint and that their aesthetic visions emerge from
deeply-held inspirations which drive their personal narratives
through their own distinctive forms of abstraction.
Clearly, both Huband and Woodson are unusually good
artists, their works worthy of viewing and well worth the
viewer’s journey along their respective paths to abstraction.
Enjoy the trip.
Bill Reaves, Jennifer Pryor, & Elizabeth O’Dowd
Cover images, left to right: Otis Huband, Meadow Dance, 2007, oil on canvas, 69.5 x 42 inches
Jim Woodson, Reserved Erotic Postulates Distinguished, 2012, acrylic and oil on paper, 30 x 23 inches

EXHIBITION CHECKLIST The Paths to Abstraction: Paintings by Otis Huband and Jim Woodson
Plate Artist Title of Work Date Medium Dimensions
13 Otis Huband Bay Front Property 2010 oil on canvas 67 x 43.25 in.
2 Otis Huband Exquisitely Mine 2011 oil on canvas 56.5 x 44 in.
10 Otis Huband Fallen Figure 2010 oil on canvas 51.5 x 38.5 in.
5 Otis Huband Five Large Considerations No. 2 1990 oil on canvas 68 x 44 in.
12 Otis Huband Five Large Considerations No. 3 1990 oil on canvas 68 x 44 in.
6 Otis Huband Five Large Considerations No. 2 1990 oil on canvas 68 x 44 in.
11 Otis Huband French History 2010 oil on canvas 68 x 45 in.
8 Otis Huband Late November 2007 oil on canvas 69.5 x 44.25 in.
14 Otis Huband Meadow Dance 2007 oil on canvas 69.5 x 42 in.
1 Otis Huband Montauban 2000 oil on canvas 75 x 44 in.
4 Otis Huband Mountain Pass 2000 oil on canvas 56.5 x 40 in.
7 Otis Huband Smokey Pink with Pearls 2007 oil on canvas 60 x 48 in.
9 Otis Huband The Long Walk 2007 oil on canvas 35 x 27 in.
3 Otis Huband Tides 2010 oil on canvas 57 x 41 in
17 Otis Huband A Sudan Thought 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
21 Otis Huband About the Infant 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
18 Otis Huband Abrivated Promise 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
20 Otis Huband Crackers in the Snow 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
27 Otis Huband Deep Sea Monster 2009 collage 11 x 8.5 in.
15 Otis Huband Fashionable Quotes 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
24 Otis Huband Memories of the Last Child 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
23 Otis Huband Mother and Daughter 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
16 Otis Huband Not Really a Korean Poem 2009 collage 11 x 8.5 in.
19 Otis Huband Postal Service Bust 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
25 Otis Huband Quarry Swimmers 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
26 Otis Huband Saint with Abraded Black 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
28 Otis Huband The Doubter with the Blue 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.

EXHIBITION CHECKLIST The Paths to Abstraction: Paintings by Otis Huband and Jim Woodson
Plate Artist Title of Work Date Medium Dimensions
22 Otis Huband Threatening Still Life 2009 collage 11 x 8.5 in.
29 Otis Huband Veil Dance 2009 collage 11 x 8 in.
38 Jim Woodson Adjusted Erotic Emergencies Remembered 2012 acrylic and oil on paper 23 x 30 in.
30 Jim Woodson Approximate Post-Cognitive Recollections 2007 oil on canvas 36 x 24 in.
41 Jim Woodson Captured Semi-Integrated Personal Distraction 2012 acrylic and oil on paper 23 x 30 in.
32 Jim Woodson Deterred Impulse Big Bend 1997 acrylic on paper, canvas 7 x 26.5 in.
33 Jim Woodson Dimly Given Fluctuating Emergencies 2012 acrylic and oil on panel 23 x 30 in.
37 Jim Woodson Ecstatic Inclination Big Bend 1997 acrylic on paper, canvas 7 x 30 in.
34 Jim Woodson Intuited Upward Conflated Contingencies 2011-12 oil on canvas 48 x 60 in.
42 Jim Woodson
Partially Choreographed Erotic Rememberances High
Desert
2009-10 oil on canvas 36 x 48 in.
31 Jim Woodson Post Differentiated Cohering Recollections 2006 oil on canvas 60 x 48 in.
48 Jim Woodson Previous Potential Discourse Activated 2009 oil on canvas 72 x 48 in.
49 Jim Woodson Recurrent Resolved Coalescences High Desert 2009 oil on canvas 72 x 48 in.
50 Jim Woodson
Registered Sequential Separations Transitioning Horizontally
with Self Portrait
2012 oil on canvas 48 x 60 in.
35 Jim Woodson Reserved Erotic Postulates Distinguished 2012 acrylic and oil on paper 30 x 23 in.
40 Jim Woodson Semi-Concealed Activating Articulations N.M. 2006 oil on canvas 24 x 48 in.
39 Jim Woodson Simultaneous Intuited Intrusions 2007 oil on canvas 72 x 46 in.
44 Jim Woodson Simultaneous Realized Articulations N.M. 2005 oil on canvas 69.5 x 45.5 in.
47 Jim Woodson Simultaneous Unrestrained Mediation New Mexico 2004 oil on canvas 42 x 72 in.
36 Jim Woodson Transitory Expansive Mediations High Desert 2008 oil on canvas 72 x 48 in.
43 Jim Woodson
Triangular Compulsive Continuous Erotic Emergents
High Desert
2010 oil on canvas 48 x 72 in.
46 Jim Woodson Unifying Horizontal Revelations N.M. 2006 oil on canvas 24 x 48 in.
45 Jim Woodson Vertical Partially Infused Realizations High Desert 2008 oil on canvas 48 x 72 in.

Plates: Otis Huband

1. Huband, Montauban, 2000, oil on canvas,
75 x 44 inches
2. Huband, Exquisitely Mine, 2011, oil on canvas,
56.5 x 44 inches

3. Huband, Tides, 2010, oil on canvas, 57 x 41 inches
4. Huband, Mountain Pass, 2000, oil on canvas,
56.5 x 40 inches

5. Huband, Five Large Considerations No. 2, 1990,
oil on canvas, 68 x 44 inches
6. Huband, Five Large Considerations No. 4, 1990,
oil on canvas, 68 x 44 inches

7. Huband, Smokey Pink with Pearls, 2007, oil on canvas,
60 x 48 inches
8. Huband, Late November, 2007, oil on canvas,
44.25 x 69.5 inches

9. Huband, The Long Walk, 2007, oil on canvas,
35 x 27 inches
10. Huband, Fallen Figure, 2010, oil on canvas, 51.5 x 38.5 inches

11. Huband, French History, 2010, oil on canvas, 68 x 45 inches
12. Huband, Five Large Considerations No. 3, 1990,
oil on canvas, 68 x 44 inches

13. Huband, Bay Front Property, 2010, oil on canvas,
43.25 x 67 inches
14. Huband, Meadow Dance, 2007, oil on canvas, 69.5 x 42 inches

15. Huband, Fashionable Quotes, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches 16. Huband, Not Really a Korean Poem, 2009, collage,
11 x 8.5 inches

17. Huband, A Sudan Thought, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches 18. Huband, Abrivated Promise, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches

19. Huband, Postal Service Bust, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches 20. Huband, Crackers in the Snow, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches

21. Huband, About the Infant, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches 22. Huband, Threatening Still Life, 2009, collage, 11 x 8.5 inches

23. Huband, Mother and Daughter, 2009, collage,
11 x 8 inches
24. Huband, Memories of the Last Child, 2009, collage,
11 x 8 inches

25. Huband, Quarry Swimmers, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches 26. Huband, Saint with Abraded Black, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches

27. Huband, Deep Sea Monster, 2009, collage, 11 x 8.5 inches 28. Huband, The Doubter with the Blue, 2009, collage,
11 x 8 inches

29. Huband, Veil Dance, 2009, collage, 11 x 8 inches

Plates: Jim Woodson

30. Woodson, Approximate Post-Cognitive Recollections, 2007,
oil on canvas, 36 x 24 inches
31. Woodson, Post Differentiated Cohering Recollections, 2006,
oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

32. Woodson, Deterred Impulse Big Bend, 1997, acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 7 x 26.5
33. Woodson, Dimly Given Fluctuating Emergencies, 2012, acrylic and
oil on panel, 23 x 30 inches
34. Woodson, Intuited Upward Conflated Contingencies, 2011-12,
oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches

35. Woodson, Reserved Erotic Postulates Distinguished, 2012, acrylic and
oil on paper, 30 x 23 inches
36. Woodson, Transitory Expansive Mediations High Desert,
2008, oil on canvas, 72 x 48 inches

37. Woodson, Ecstatic Inclination Big Bend, 1997,
acrylic on paper mounted on canvas, 7 x 30 inches
38. Woodson, Adjusted Erotic Emergencies
Remembered, 2012, acrylic and oil on
paper, 23 x 30 inches

39. Woodson, Simultaneous
Intuited Intrusions, 2007, oil
on canvas, 46 x 72 inches
40. Woodson, Semi-Concealed Activating
Articulations N.M., 2006, oil on
canvas, 24 x 48 inches

41. Woodson, Captured Semi-Integrated Personal Distraction, 2012,
acrylic and oil on paper, 23 x 30 inches
42. Woodson, Partially Choreographed Erotic Rememberances High
Desert, 2009-10, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches
43. Woodson, Triangular Compulsive Continuous
Erotic Emergents High Desert, 2010, oil on
canvas, 48 x 72 inches

44. Woodson, Simultaneous Realized
Articulations N.M., 2005, oil on
canvas, 45.5 x 69.5 inches
45. Woodson, Vertical Partially Infused
Realizations High Desert, 2008, oil
on canvas, 48 x 72 inches

46. Woodson, Unifying Horizontal
Revelations N.M., 2006, oil on
canvas, 24 x 48 inches
47. Woodson, Simultaneous
Unrestrained Mediation New
Mexico, 2004, oil on canvas,
42 x 72 inches

48. Woodson, Previous Potential Discourse Activated, 2009, oil on
canvas, 72 x 48 inches
49. Woodson, Recurrent Resolved Coalescences High Desert, 2009,
oil on canvas, 72 x 48 inches

50. Woodson, Registered Sequential Separations Transitioning Horizontally with Self Portrait,
2012, oil on canvas, 48 x 60 inches

Biographical Information

OTIS HUBAND
Biographical and Career Highlights
• 1933, Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia
• 1955-1956, Attends Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William & Mary (now Virginia Commonwealth
University)
• 1956-1957, Ventura Junior College, Ventura, California
• 1957-1958, California College of Arts & Crafts, Oakland, California
• 1958-1961, B.F.A. and M.F.A.,Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
• 1963-1964, Attends Accademia di Bella Arti, Perugia, Italy
• 1967-1971, Art Instructor at Houston Museum School of Fine Arts (now Glassell School), Houston, Texas
• 1967-1972, Art Instructor, Rice University, summer school for high school students, Houston, Texas
• 1971-1982, Art Instructor, Art League of Houston, Houston, Texas
• 1975, Art Instructor, life drawing, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
• Resides in Houston, Texas
Selected Exhibitions
• 1956, Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond, Virginia
• 1960, Erick Schendler Gallery, Richmond, Virginia
• 1964, Circolo di Universita, Perugia, Italy
• 1965-1966, The James Bute Gallery, Houston, Texas
• 1966-1967, Dubose Gallery, Houston, Texas
• 1966-1970, Erdon Gallery, Houston, Texas
• 1972-1990, Louisiana Gallery, Houston, Texas
• 1974, University of Houston - Downtown, Houston, Texas
• 1976, Ars Longa Gallery, Houston, Texas
• 2010, William Reaves Fine Art, Houston, Texas
• University of Houston Faculty Exhibition, Houston, Texas
Selected Collections
• Giacomo Colderone, Perugia, Italy
• Mitchell Energy and Development Corporations
• Houston Grand Opera, Rigoletto painting for cover
• Merrill Lynch, Exploration & Development
Department

JIM WOODSON
Selected Biographical and Career Highlights
• 1941, Born in Waco, Texas
• 1965, B.A. in painting, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
• 1967, M.F.A. in painting, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
• 1968-70, Technician and Instructor, University of California at Davis,
Davis, California
• 1970-72, Extension Instructor, University of California at Davis
• 1973-74, Curator of Art, California Historical Society, San Francisco,
California
• 1974-75, Visiting Artist, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
• 1975-81, Assistant Professor, Texas Christian University
• 1981-2002, Associate Professor, Texas Christian University
• 2002-present, Professor, Texas Christian University
• Resides in Fort Worth, Texas
Selected Public Collections
• Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), Dallas, Texas
• BNSF Railway, Permanent Collection
• El Paso Museum of Art
• Union Pacific Resources Co., Fort Worth, Texas
• Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
• San Angelo Museum of Art
• University of Dallas, Irving, Texas
Selected Exhibitions
• 1967, Jim Woodson, Maverick Studios, Austin, Texas
• 1972, Jim Woodson, Vacaville Art Center, Vacaville, California
• 1979, Made in Texas, invitational exhibition, University Art Museum (now Jack S. Blanton Museum), University of Texas at Austin,
Texas
• 1983, Art in The Metroplex, exhibition juried by Barbara Rose, Moudy Exhibition Hall, Texas Christian University, Dallas, Texas
• 1986, The Texas Time Machine, sesquicentennial invitational exhibition, curated by Joan Seeman-Robinson, The Cullen Center,
Houston, Texas
• 1991, A Sense of Place – Recent Acquisitions, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas
• 1993, Reunion: The Young Texas Artists Series, invitational, Amarillo Art Center, Amarillo, Texas
• 1999, Biennale Internazionale Dell’Arte Contemporanea, international invitational exhibition, Fortezza da Basso, Florence, Italy
• 2001, Place: Day/Night Large Paintings by Fort Worth Artists: Daniel Blagg and Jim Woodson, Arlington Museum of Art, Texas
• 2005, The Barrett Legacy: Exhibition of Paintings from the Collection of Richard and Nona Barrett, Old Jail Art Center, Albany, Texas
• 2011, Dallas Art Fair, represented by Valley House Gallery, Dallas, Texas

William Reaves Fine Art
2313 Brun Street • Houston, Texas • 77019
Tel: 713.521.7500 • Fax: 713.521.7504
Email: jennifer@reavesart.com
www.reavesart.com