There are 2 full sets of these prints, circa 1985, 8 1/2" x 11" prints, 17 prints each
“The First State Bank of Rio Vista is pleased to present this booklet, “Reflections of 150 Years on the Prairie," in celebration of the Texas Sesquincentennial.
It is the culmination of three years' work by artist-historian George Hallmark, who was commissioned by the bank to paint a Sesquincentennial Series tracing the history of the Rio Vista area from Spanish Colonial days to the early 1950's.
The booklet includes reproductions of 17 paintings in the series, suitable for framing, along with commentaries about the periods they represent and documentation of the artist's research.
Over the years, First State Bank has produced several "firsts" in banking, from innovations in the consumer-lending field to the addition of a landing strip for fly-in depositors. It has gained a reputation for friendliness and for having a sense of its own history.
In the past, the bank has sought to tell its story in relation to developments in the history of Rio Vista, Johnson County and even the State of Texas. The "Cow Pasture Bank has widened its scope and taken a look at the way historic people, places and events--as close as the Chisholm Trail and as far away as the European continent--have influenced this area.
The resulting collection is a glimpse at our heritage that relates First State Bank's 65 years plus to Texas' 150 grand and glorious years.
About the Artist:
George Hallmark is considered to be one of the most important young artists in western art today. Born and raised in the Cleburne area of north-central Texas, he maintains his studio alongside the circa 1900 ranch house he and his wife Kathy are restoring east of Walnut Springs, Texas.
Like many of the successful artists of today, George has "paid his dues" through many years of study in commercial art and architectural design. Hallmark has also studied with many fine artists including former Professor-in-Residence at Brigham Young University, William Whitaker, and Cowboy Artist of America member, Harvey Johnson.
Hallmark's originals have been handled for many years by Texas Art Gallery in Dallas. His work can also be found in private and corporate collections across the United States and several foreign countries.
George's work has become more and more historically related, culminating in his commission by the First State Bank of Rio Vista, Texas, these seventeen paintings of the history of the north-central area.”
