I get asked a lot of questions about our house and the amazing mural that spans almost the entire length of the living/den area. It’s one of those features that is impossible to miss! After my last post I realized that most of my followers did NOT know this was actually a media cabinet that housed books, cds, magazines, the TV and stereo, etc.
The artist who painted this mural is Robert Madden. Robert and his wife Bonnie paid us a visit this past weekend and brought over Frank and Nancy, another lovely couple who wanted to see the house. Turns out they too love modern design and furniture and have an AMAZING art collection. Frank is also on the board of CASETA Center for the Advancement and Study of Early Texas Art which is an organization formed to promote the preservation, study and appreciation of Texas visual arts and its history. So it was a great pleasure to meet them and to also share our home and “talk shop”. It was also the perfect time to talk to Robert and Bonnie about the mural and the story behind it.
Mr. & Mrs. Madden met the Goodes at a dinner party at the home of another couple probably in the mid 1960s. Rex talked with Robert about a problem that he had with a section of his living room that had 8 sliding panels. (seen above) He had thought about putting a mural on it but had no ideas. Robert went home and began to put ideas on paper. Within a few days, he called Rex and he and Bonnie went to their home to check it out. Rex and Ruth studied the drawings and decided on one set that could be interchanged. The mural was not a priority so the project lay dormant for several years always with Rex saying, “We’ve got to get on it. “ And Robert saying, “Buy the paint!” No one can remember when the drawing and painting actually began, but it was probably somewhere around 1967. Turns out that Robert exchanged piano lessons for his young daughter (from Ruth Goode) for the work on the mural. He often received critiques from Ruth’s piano students! The children would have their piano lessons while the mural was being painted and comment on the color or question the shapes or design. (ahhh KIDS!) This was an on-going project that was done as time permitted since Robert was teaching full time at Lamar University. The fact that there were 2 grand pianos in the area and Ruth was teaching piano also made the project a bit difficult. The mural was finished in 1969.
Richie and I have always loved the work of Robert Madden… but the story goes deeper than the one Bonnie told me above. Robert was an art professor at our local University at the time Richie was in college and took art classes from Robert. Richie was also in a fraternity and his college roommate just happened to be Robert and Bonnie’s son. So Richie spent time at the Madden’s home because he was hanging out with their son. (They’re still friends to this day)
When I met Richie I remember him talking a lot about Robert’s paintings and the “super cool” pad that Todd’s “cool” parents had and all the amazing art, etc. As we got older and married, and in to modern design, art, and architecture, Todd began to relate our interest to his parents and they insisted we meet the Goodes. So in 2002 they took us over to meet the lovely couple and we were in awe to say the least. Such an amazing experience! A few years later Todd told us his father was ready to sell some of his art so we quickly called and asked if we could come over and look. We walked away with 5 paintings.. some big, some small… all AMAZING! They grace our home and bring us joy every single day… and I’m also proud to say that I own Robert’s LARGEST piece. HA! So you can see how it’s all very personal and how our lives and experiences are intertwined. It was in 2009 that I received an email from Bonnie telling us the sad news that Mr. Goode had passed away… but that the house would be on the market soon if we were interested. BOY WERE WE! It happened very fast and very furiously, as we were NOT looking for a new home. But apparently this place was looking for us and we have been devoted to it every since!
Mr. Madden graduated from Centenary College in 1953 with a BA and then in 1956 from the University of Arkansas with his MFA. My blog is not big enough to list his accomplishments. He’s exhibited, competed, taught and contributed to the art community in ways that should make any artist proud. For me…. I’m honored to have a few really amazing pieces that I will treasure and appreciate all my life. So let me share some with you.
There were two large paintings we bought the day we visited his home and this was my choice. It hangs in my dining room and it truly makes the room come to life. I enter the house everyday and get greeted by this lovely modern piece. I can’t imagine my home without it!
I chose the one above and Richie chose the one below. I remember when we walked into their home Richie gasping at this particular painting and telling me that THIS piece was the one painting he was always drawn to when he was in college. And now he owns it. Trust me when I say… he’s so proud!
It currently hangs in our guest bedroom.
along with this piece on another small wall.
It seems we have at least one Robert Madden in every room of our house. This one is hanging in the hallway. This painting was actually a gift from Robert.
Below is a very cool piece that hangs in my bathroom. I love to have original art EVERYWHERE. This piece is perfect in the black frame against the brick.
Of course when someone asks to use my bathroom I’m more than happy to lead the way…
Enjoy the art show!
Last but not least is a small piece that I have on a shelf in my kitchen. Love this!
Robert told me he still has the plate for this one. So cool since it’s dated 1954.
So as you can see, we love his art but also the story, memories and the history that goes with it all. I was super excited when his art mural got mentioned in two magazines that featured our home. It’s one of those things that nobody else has and makes this house so special.
As seen in Texas Architect:
And in Houston Mod’s Cite Magazine:
So thank you to the Maddens for the visit, the story, and for introducing us to the Goodes. We have a lot to be thankful for and they seem to be the ones we should thank! So thank you for everything… you’ve enriched our lives in so many ways!!!
Also, thanks to “T” at Scrap and Salvage and the many people who emailed and asked questions about the mural… I appreciate your interest more than you know.
How do you feel about art in your home. Do you have a favorite piece or story behind it. Maybe it’s something you made or bought. I’d love to hear about it.
Wonderful story, love the original artwork. I hope to someday fill my walls with originals. Are those litho prints?
Thank you! Yes, the real small ones are lithos – the others are paint on canvas. He still has a few of the plates around today. Thank you for looking….. there’s so many talented artists out there so I hope you find something special for your home.
I purchased a 1954 original oil on canvas by Robert Madden. It is of a man and almost appears to be a kind of self-portrait but it has a scary angry feel as compared to your collection. I would like to have a little background on the piece and have not hung it because I do not want to scare friends and relatives. Just wanted to know if you could share an email or contact with me to find out more.
Thank you.
Hi Michelle,
That’s so awesome that you own one of his pieces. I can’t give you any of his information, but please feel free to email me directly with your contact info and a little bit more about the piece. I’ll be more than happy to contact him on your behalf. A picture attached would also be the best! You can reach me at modgirl at agoodehouse dot com.
Stacey you kindred spirit! Living with original art is really a joy in so many ways. Excellent post. I hope if I ever get my house finished I’ll share some of the pieces that mean so much to me. Thank you for this.
Oh I would love that! Please do and I will appreciate every word and every picture! You have no idea how much art means to us … and the artists who create them… well they just blow my mind! So much joy! Thank you, Curt.
That’s why I’m an art dealer – and I love what I do. Feeds the body and the spirit.
Stacey! Blown away. Loved reading this so much. Can’t articulate how impressed I am by the whole thing, your dedication to the house, the Goodes, art, people etcetera, etcetera. What a pair you and Richie make. Very inspiring. And love the mural, such a fabulous idea. The big black tv on our wall makes me cringe. Wish we’d thought of doing sliding panels. Genius!
I’m glad you said so! I know it’s really personal to post all of this but I’m truly in love with his work and wanted to tell the story of the crazy mural. So thank you, thank you for reading and being so nice. I’m excited to get the inside of the cabinet as pretty as the outside!
What an incredible story, confluence of perfect events, and very-personal interpersonal web! Wow, this house really was meant for you – I can see why you have put so much TLC into it.
The mural is gorgeous and so are Madden’s individual pieces (I especially like the yellow/black one in your guest room but they are all wonderful) – you have certainly honored him and the Goodes, both in your home and in your writing.
Wow :)
Thanks Jocelyn! I appreciate that. I’m sure it’s getting old hearing about it all but we’re pretty passionate about the whole darn thing! Silly…. I know. I cannot imagine what would have happened to the house if someone else had gotten it. I do believe it was meant to be! I have met the most amazing people who have helped us in so many ways. Thanks for looking and being so sweet.. always!
What an incredible story! It’s wonderful that you were able to develop a personal relationship with the artist and the previous owners of your home. Your art collection is fabulous. I love each and every piece, both for their beauty as well as the story behind them.
You always so the right things, sweet lady!!! Thank you, Dana. The older I get the more I appreciate everything I have…. especially the relationships with really amazing people. I feel lucky to have such a connection to all of it. It makes everything 100 times more fun and 100 times more difficult! Ha Ha Ha!
Thank you for looking and letting me share it.
P.S. Love your new blog photo!
What an awesome story! I love how the house found you and that you care about preserving it so much. Amazing! Good(e) art – no pun intended even though it works – I’ve said should also find you.
HA HA HA! Goode art, indeed! Glad you think so, Alex. I know not everyone is in to art but I hope anyone reading can at least appreciate the story and how much it means to us. Love that you did! Your awesome… I owe you a couch story. :-)
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amazing colors
To literally have a piece of your home be art, and then hang out with the artist… You’re like Gertrude Stein!!
What an amazing experience! And so unusual. That’s kind of a funny thing, to live with another person’s art on such a large scale… like they have partial ownership of your living room!
I’m curious how you felt prior to them coming over? I mean, obviously you were excited, but did you have any anxiety? Since they knew the house when it was occupied by the Goodes? That would have made me a little crazy… I would have spent an entire day shoving anything not authentic in the garage.
(burst out laughing) Gertrude! I wish!!!! Blahhhh, I can’t even imagine living with a collection like HERS.. much less hanging out with all those insane artists. I say insane in a good way. Most artists are slightly off (thank goodness)
I’m so happy to have the few pieces I have collected over the years.
I do wonder how it makes Robert feel when he visits… because lets face it, it takes over the space so I would imagine it’s overwhelming to say the least. I hope he’s giddy. I certainly am and I enjoy watching the smile come across his face. I’m sure it’s like visiting an old friend. Love that!
To answer your question… they have been over to the house many times and watch our progress through the blog… so no anxiety at all. They’re very supportive of what we are doing which only puts me more at ease because they spent so much time here when the Goodes were living in it. They knew it needed lots of love (and sweat).
Thanks Victoria… always so sweet and interested. I appreciate that!
I just love this. It is such a great story and I love the history of your house! :)
Thank you Kim! I do blab maybe a little too much about it.. but ya know, it’s hard not to. Thank for the visit.
I’ve not commented yet but have been reading for about a month now. I kept trying to figure out where you were. Austin seemed to fit, as the vibe of the house is just too cool. But Beaumont! The rain comments should have given me a bigger clue. Both my husband and I are from the Southeast Texas area (met as theatre majors at Lamar!), and now live in Fort Worth. Love to hear all about this art world. Wonder if Robert knew George Wentz? He was an artist friend who lived in Beaumont, and we still have many of his pieces.
SO enjoy reading about your very special home1
Hi Michelle! So happy you’re here! Yes, Robert did know George and so did we.
We have many of his paintings and I’ll definitely feature him on a post in the future. George was very dear to us and we loved him a lot. We both miss his phone calls and visits… as he always had funny stories and was very passionate about art. What a character!!!
Wow! I’m so happy you commented. I’d love to know what pieces you have of George’s. When were you at Lamar?
Stacey-
What a small world. I was at Lamar 1990-1992, and my now husband stayed till ’94. He tended bar at Carlos’ and later Bryan Lee’s Mandarin Restaurant (not sure if any of this is still there!) and George would come in for iced tea and conversation. We own a large painting that is actually being re-framed to go in our master bedroom, and several other paintings, collages and photographs. I’ll have to send you some pictures of them.
When we moved to DFW we didn’t get to see George very often but still would love to get his letters and phone calls. I still have a glorious letter he wrote responding to some of our son’s artwork. Yes, he was a character.
This is so cool!! The mural is a stunning piece, but more importantly, I love that the art and the Goode House are in the hands of people that truly appreciate it. And the additional art is so lovely; how awesome is it that you were able to get more pieces?! Thanks for sharing this story with all of us!
Thank you! I often think that if someone else got this house they would have taken out those panels without any consideration. That just broke my heart… so I’m happy we have it. It’s special in so many ways.
P.S. Let me know if you need anything for you know what! :-)
I thought the same thing when I read your post. That would be so very sad! I’ll definitely keep you posted and thanks again!
wow. this is awesome. i’m glad robert let you take a photo with him in front of his mural. and i hadn’t realized you had so much of his artwork around, too. he must have had a blast seeing all of it in his old haunt. i LOVE his stuff. i particularly like “richie’s” that hangs in the guest bedroom, but the red in yours is so brilliant. i love that they came over and filled in the story gaps. what a fun friday that must have been for all of you. thanks for sharing, stacey! it did not disappoint.
Well, it was all prompted by YOU, my dear! Thank YOU for always asking about it. I think it’s probably fun for Robert to visit and see all his artwork.
Just a funny thing… I had moved a piece of his art since the last time they were at the house and he couldn’t find it and asked where it went. Bonnie chuckled at that one “how dare I move anything”! It was so sweet… he really paid attention to where I had placed each piece and knew that it had moved. I just LOVED that!
So much history there… so many stories… so much talent. It brings a lot of joy.
Thanks again!
Oh, and I have a funny picture I want to show you… in response to your GI Joe post. I think our men are too much fun. Click the link below.
http://www.agoodehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/im001376.jpg (BUSTED!)
OMG. that SLAYS about ten different ways to funnyville. not only the nekkid barbie dolls, but the look on richie’s face. priceless. creepy dolls for sure!
and i love that robert new you had moved his art. hopefully its new placement was suitable to him and complimentary to the art ;) (of course it is!)
thanks again for the nostalgic bit of history and art. xo
You are a true custodian. Loved the story. I had goosebumps on my arms when I read it. So moving.
such wonderful energy! I happen to believe that talented and gifted individuals know how to find their connection with God and stay there for a while when creating something this brilliant. Seems as though your collection absolutely sparkles with this vital energy. Wonderfully powerful and calming all at once. Your beautiful collection seems to have found you, perhaps, rather than the other way around. Isn’t that amazing?!
Perhaps a year or two ago I learned about an artist named America Martin. I don’t think I could ever afford one of her paintings, but the emotion in her brushstrokes almost brings me to tears.
Or it could be a hormone imbalance…no…it’s the art :)
hope you and Richie have a fabulous weekend. –Diane
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