In The News

GENTLING BIRD PAINTINGS RETURN TO MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
Entire Collection to be Displayed Together for the First Time in Over a Decade
December 8, 2004 - April 3, 2005

Of Birds and Texas, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s collection of bird paintings by Scott and Stuart Gentling, will return to the Museum Dec. 8, 2004. The collection comprises 40 original watercolor paintings of Texas birds that inhabit the state for all or part of the year. The exhibition marks the first time all 40 paintings have been displayed together since 1992.

The birds are depicted life-size and are set against landscape backgrounds that show most of the major geographical regions of Texas. The paintings are the result of an unusual collaboration by the Gentlings, Fort Worth artists and twin brothers who spent more than eight years creating them for their book, “Of Birds and Texas.” The monumental publication, printed in 1986 in the elephant folio size of 22” x 28”, contains the Gentlings’ own commentaries and a personal essay by Texas author John Graves. The Museum of Science and History purchased the collection in 1985. A selection of the collection was last exhibited in 1997.

Many of the paintings in the collection depict birds as stylized and formally arranged rather than with a strict realism, thus recalling the paintings of John James Audubon. The book is dedicated to Audubon. The Gentlings maintain that they are artists today because of their early interest in Audubon’s life and work, an interest sparked at age 13 by their discovery of a book on Audubon’s paintings housed in the library of the Museum of Science and History.

The Gentlings’ paintings can be found in museums and libraries throughout Texas and the United States. In 2000, Scott received a commission to paint a portrait of President George Bush for the Texas State Capitol dome. Two large Gentling landscapes of the President’s Crawford, Texas, ranch now hang in the private quarters of the White House. In 2003, Texas Gov. Rick Perry selected Scott and Stuart to design the two official Christmas tree ornaments for the State Christmas tree at the White House. Their work also appears in Fort Worth’s Bass Performance Hall and was recently included in the 2004 Texas Duck Stamp collection.

Of Birds and Texas will be on display at the Museum through April 3, 2005. Admission is included with regular exhibits admission. For more information visit FWMuseum.org.

Fort Worth Weekly article — Feb 4, 2004

Dallas Life Magazine — May 10, 1987

People Magazine — June 15, 1987

As Mrs. Bush and Texas Governor Rick Perry listen, President George W. Bush speaks during the ceremony for the unveiling of his portrait painted by Scott Gentling at the Texas State Capitol in Austin Jan. 4, 2001. White House photo by Eric Draper.

The President has commissioned the Gentling brothers for 3 additional paintings for the White House.

Governor Rick Perry selected Scott and Stuart to design the two official Christmas tree ornaments for the 2003 State Christmas tree at the Whitehouse.

Mockingbird ornament by Scott Gentling, Fort Worth, TX

Star ornament by Stuart Gentling, Fort Worth, TX