Design History

Sunday, March 20, 2022

ARTIST OF THE MONTH: Rainey Rodriguez

A Self-Taught Artist who loves to teach

Artists are known for their amazing skill sets, their dexterity. Most people who are well versed in a specific talent, are not the most capable of articulating how to replicate what they do; Rainey breaks that mold. She revealed in our interview, that she failed out of a painting class in college; which you will find shocking, after seeing how talented she is. How did she become a painter? She watched a movie about French artist, Toulouse Lautrec, + felt inspired to pick up a brush. She described that epiphany + moment as “finding her way home… it was what she was meant to do”.

If you haven’t seen her work, she is mainly known for her Atomic Mid-Century style. She tends to favor Pop-Surealism though. Like the rest of us, Rainey, finds herself on a constant evolution which has lead her to Bio-Romanticisim Surreal. If you don’t know what I am referencing here, you are not alone. Thanks to google, + Rainey submitting some of her favorite pieces, I was able to get closer to understanding the idea.

Rainey Rodriguez, is a Mexican-American painter who has been teaching studio classes that has gathered quite a cult following. She loves to explore different avenues; which is why, I believe, her successes with her students is so prevalent. She doesn’t have a specific start date to her classes. She doesn’t follow a syllabus. She lets you find your passion or subject, + then guides you from there. I was blown away by this concept. In a studio full of aspiring artists + hobbyist(s), she is able to tap in to their dreams + help them find their own voice as an artist. Rainey has definitely found her own niche, a recipe (her words), to teach people how to paint + feel confident in their work. Her humble nature + approach is quite welcoming for those who are a little apprehensive, like myself. In our conversation, Rainey spoke about how harsh a pencil + drawing can be to someone new. She reiterated, how forgiving paint is + how easily it can be shaped, pushed around, manipulated even, + if need be…. corrected.

Ms. Rodriguez has currently pitched to teach a class about Historical color palettes. An insight to this class left me eager to learn more. There’s a historical color called ‘Indian yellow’. This color is described as bright yellow + slightly translucent. The fun, + I might say intriguing part of this color, is that it was primarily made with cow urine. Now, if you’re like me, you need to know more about historical palettes + what else was used to make these colors.

If I haven’t persuaded you to sign up for her classes yet, + you need more of a push to stare at her paintings for a bit longer; let me leave you with this tidbit… Rainey puts secrets in to her paintings. That’s right folks, secrets! I will be right back as I am going to stare at her work, again! You should too!

Need more Rainey?

Hear the whole interview: https://anchor.fm/brianna-woodhouse

Or listen on Apple, Google or Spotify (Podcasts)

Facebook: @housepaintbyrainey

Making Art Accessible 

Having grown up with creative parents, in an environment that celebrated craft and design, Felicity Rich, believes that her career path as a ceramicist, photographer, and instructor was inevitable. Felicity has lived in places from Chicago to China, but the last 2 years, she has called our community home. Her work incorporates a form of story telling, experimenting, and enveloping influences. Felicity’s background in art history, architecture, travels, and art therapy make for a very passionate artist/instructor. She is a life-long learner; always exploring and experimenting with different types of mediums. Her ceramics are characterized by endearing imperfections, softly misshapen forms, along with hand-built rigidness. Felicity enhances the appeal of the traditional craft through her washes of color glaze, inviting drips and uneven brush strokes to adorn each object’s surface. To discover Felicity’s artistic process and inspiration, visit her studio during the On/Off Fred Studio tour in April. The space is filled and perfectly curated with her handmade pieces. I would highly recommend, you sign up for her workshops beginning late February. These classes will give you a chance to be around some amazing people, and experience the primal-awesomeness that is ceramics. Her passion for beauty, color, form, design, as well as problem solving is easily observed while standing in her studio. As well all know, San Antonio is a vibrant city, full of amazing artists and designers. Beacon Hill has a thriving community of artists too; with the love and support of their neighbors (us), we can facilitate their flourishing! Speaking with Felicity, fueled my inspiration and desire to get my hands dirty. I hope you feel the same way. Let’s keep beautifying Beacon Hill and expanding our knowledge of all that inhabit it! 

Need more Felicity? Hear the whole interview: https://anchor.fm/brianna-woodhouse Or listen on Apple, Google or Spotify (Podcasts) http://felicityrich.com/ Facebook: @felicityrichceramics Instagram: @frich5

House of the Month: 932 w. Woodlawn

4 bedroom, 2.5 bath 3,426 sqft house built in 1911 sits on .33 acres

Every time, I walk in to a home in Beacon Hill, I covet it more than I did the last one I stepped in to. Especially, these beautiful oversized homes on Woodlawn. Luckily, for us, their residents are happy to share the history in our newsletter. I find in Beacon Hill, you move here for the history, and stay for the community.

This months house is deemed historical (2011), and is built for Thomas N. Smith of Nicholson, Furnish & Smith. The contractor was Charles T. Finchman; according to the San Antonio Light newspaper article dated June 11, 1911. Mr. Smith was a well known banker in San Antonio and was a prominent member of The San Antonio Real Estate Exchange. The house is constructed in the Classical Revival Style. The house has both an attic, that housed a billiards room, and a basement that held the family well.

Smith married in to the Furnish family, marrying Mattie Smith in 1891. They have a son named David W. Smith who was born in 1901. They only lived on Woodlawn for a short period. As of 1920, they were living on W. Craig.

We don’t know who owns the house after the Smith’s until 1924-1925, when Jack E. Guggenheim of Guggenheim-Goldsmith Co. moved in. He owned a whole sale produce company. The Guggenheim’s were very active in the community. I wasn’t able to confirm their existence in the census, but they were very active in our cities newspapers. They had 4 children: Hellen, Irma, Jack, and Milton. Irma is mentioned as the “attractive Irma” in many articles. Jack Sr. and Jack Jr. were avid golfers. This family was very affluent. They travelled to Europe to celebrate Hellen’s graduation from a NH college, purchased the newest models of vehicles, and Jack Jr. married Margaret Ormos, a Radio City soloist, in Zurich 1945. Their family is referenced as one of the most influential families in America, next to the Rothchilds. They meant the entire family tree, and not just Jack’s branch of it. Meyer Guggenheim, not sure who he is in relation to Jack, but he donated nearly $1.5million to Hebrew Charities in 1907 and was mentioned in the SA Newspapers.

The third known homeowner, is Dr. William Wortham Maxwell. He is stated to be an OB/GYN, but his 1940’s census report states that he is a Medical Doctor. The same census reports their house is of $9k value, and is married to Rebecca. They have 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy. Their son Garrett was elected as a “Top 25 Student” for the Who’s Who Among Students at American Universities and Colleges; he attended Texas A&M. The Maxwell’s lived in this home from 1938-1978.

The current owners, have been in possession of the home since 2011. Their 2 children grew up in this home. They came to own it by Heidi mentioning to her coworker Susan, who owned the house with husband Anthony, just how much she loved her house. When that couple decided to downsize, they offered it to the Whitus family for purchase. As far as the last few owners know, this is how this house has always been sold- off market + to friends. On the second floor, in the hallway, you will find the original blueprints hanging which is a lovely artifact to have.

Lastly, Dean + Heidi, please don’t forget about me when you decide to move one day. I love your home!

More of this interview will be posted on my new podcast on Apple/Spotify. The link will be posted in the Beacon Hill Facebook page.