Robert Quill Johnson (Texas, 1927-1980), "Texas Roadrunners", oil on panel, circa 1966, signed lower right

sight: 8 x 30 in., frame: 16 x 37 in.

Provenance: Originally purchased from the Country Store Gallery (Austin, Texas); thence in a private collection in Fort Worth, Texas

A native of Castroville, Texas, Robert Quill Johnson is known for his paintings of South Texas birds, especially the Bobwhite Quail. Johnson painted in oils, watercolors, and gouache, using a muted palette of earthy colors. He also often played with proportion in very long or tall narrow formats. Johnson studied art first at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and later at the University of Denver. His first exhibition came at the age of 29 with the Texas Watercolor Society. Johnson had many more solo exhibitions throughout his long career and won several exhibition prizes. He was a member of the Classical Art Fraternity, the Texas Association of Professional Artists, and the Texas Watercolor Society.