Today marks one year of operation at Richter Bākhaus. What a year it’s been—one of challenge, connection, and growth.
In this post, I’d like to highlight the beauty and goodness I’ve sensed, experienced, and created throughout the year of serving coffee and latte art.
First, a little backstory… my presence at Richter Boerne is due to the idea of Studio 153. The original gallery/studio space that was to be is what drew my initial interest in Richter Boerne. Interestingly, the original space for the studio turned out to be the coffeeshop & bakery. ☕️🥖🎨🤎 It’s been good being part of Richter Boerne; Happy first year anniversary to Richter Bākhaus and all the incredible customers who support it.
A little gallery space within Richter Boerne
Latte Art Meets Fine Art| oil on linen • 8 x 10 in. | available for purchase
Mug ‘n’ Duffin| charcoal • 7¼ x 7¼ in. • | available for purchase
Coffee In A Cardboard Cup| charcoal • 7½ x 7¾ in. | available for purchase
Bean’ Little| oil on linen • 2½ x 2½ in. • gallery-wrapped | available for purchase
Just Bean’ Content | oil on linen • 6 x 6 in. | SOLD
These are some of the artworks I have on display and available for purchase at Richter Bākhaus.
If you are nearby or traveling #interstate10 , you’re invited to enjoy my art, others’ artworks, the good food and beverages we serve, and the overall experience of this well-designed addition to Boerne, Texas.
When Covid-19 threw its curveball at us, it made me pause to see the potential in this space between us and our neighbor The Boerne Bookshop. The short distance off of Main Street turned from being our disadvantage (my previous perspective) to our advantage. The Boerne Breezeway is what we now call this place of comfort and solitude.
Here is a look at some Richter Bākhaus photography/marketing I’ve created.
Here is a look at some photography/marketing I created for RICHTER Boerne.
Richter Bākhaus baker Melanie Murphy and I participating in the Boerne Professional Fall 2020 Parade of Artists.
And this is more representative of the FUN we have at work.
Latte art is an art form I’ve enjoyed learning. It’s so rewarding to serve someone a delicious latte and see them light up at the whole experience.A redesigned logo to capture the mainstay products and spirit of Richter Bākhaus.
In this post, I’d simply like to showcase some of the artwork I created during my years of personal ministry at First Baptist Church of Boerne, Texas. But first, a little back story…
FBC is the very first church I ever attended. I was six years young when my feet stepped into Church—located on South Main Street (FBC’s location from 1923–1980). And I still remember the move we made to the present, hilltop location on School Street. How good a time that was in my life.
In recent years, I’ve been blessed to minister alongside my childhood pastor, Allen Cearley. Photo taken May 2014.
Very dear are the memories of being known and loved by my 1st grade Sunday School teachers, Mrs. Johns and Mrs. Evans. Loads of fun and adventure were the RA (Royal Ambassadors) camping or Baylor football outings we fathers & sons enjoyed. And how precious, to me, was the time dedicated each Sunday morning service to sitting on the altar steps with Pastor Allen Cearley. “Pastor’s Pals” was our time to sit at his feet and hear a special lesson meant just for us. Pastor Cearley’s gentle voice and heart is one I still enjoy sitting with today.
After being misguided away to a different Christian subculture (described in my personal reflection on art, life, & freedom), I actually returned to FBC in my late 30s. Here now is the work I enjoyed creating—all the while discovering more of myself—more of God—more of others.
Program invitation
Using the big screen projection, I unveiled (layer by layer) this digital painting during the choir’s singing of Silent Night.
The first works of art I presented to FBC Boerne (Christmas 2012) were digitally rendered and unveiled.
logo design for WOW
Commissioned by a member of WOW, this work illustrates the concept within the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir song, New Jerusalem. Though this oil on linen painting (30 x 36 in.) is on display at FBC, it is available for purchase. Please contact me for more information.
In 2013, I became an honorary member of WOW (Women of Worship). What an enriching experience it was singing with these women. (Some are still dear friends.) The opportunity pictured here took place in our town’s Best of BoerneFest. However, most often our ministry took place inside Texas prisons. There, we proclaimed the good news of God’s love and redemption.
All Is Calm—All Is Bright | oil on linen • 24 x 16 in. | framed & available for purchase
The digital image I originally created in 2012, carried over into an original oil painting entitled All Is Calm—All Is Bright. Fine Art Prints and greeting cards of this painting are currently available at The Christmas Shoppe in downtown Boerne. The original work is available directly from me; please reach out if you’re interested.
logo design for Celebration Choir
Following Celebrate Christmas 2013, I went to work on designing our Celebration Choir logo. Jesus’ kingly and crucifixion crowns are elements of the design. Another element is the whole note dotting the ‘i’ in ‘Celebration.’ Our mission in Celebration Choir was to lead the congregation to the “throne of God’s grace,” which I believe points us to the abundant, fully-human life Jesus actually modeled—something worth celebrating.
Let The Church Rise | digital painting & poster design
Choral director and friend, Cathie Meadows.
During this spring-time presentation, it became tradition for all participants to sign the framed fine art poster. This and the other framed artworks still hang in the choir rehearsal room at FBC Boerne.
While the very nature of this post includes music, it’s important to point out that the visual art I rendered was partially inspired by the opportunity to sing. Singing and painting are personal lifelines and the combination of them is something I call Art ‘n Song. I’m so grateful for the way this combination of arts helps to communicate and connect.
Singing a solo part in the spring-time choral celebration, 2014
Being goofy with my duet partner and friend, Laura Meadows, Christmas 2014
Photographed & designed this city-wide invitation to sing in Celebration Choir for Celebrate Christmas 2014.
For Celebrate Christmas 2014, “Behold the Gift” was the theme on which I drew Christ’s Cradle, Cross & Crown. Beginning with the poster design, I used those known elements to portray Jesus’ life on earth. While the orchestra played, I rendered a literal portrait before those in attendance. Stroke by stroke, shape by shape, a simple portrait of Jesus formed.
digital rendering & poster design for Celebrate Christmas 2014
Rendered a separate work for each presentation, each beginning with simple brushstrokes to represent a cradle, cross, & crown. Photo by Ron Pritchett
Cradle, Cross & Crown—A Portrait of Christ | oil on canvas • 48 x 60 in. | available for purchase
After rendering the portrait of Christ, I cleaned my hands the best I could and sang my heart out. Photo by Ron Pritchett
Celebrate Christmas 2015 included an arrangement of Little Drummer Boy that followed a minor theme of darkness… into light. On that note, I was inspired to render this illustration of the lyrical line “I have no gift to bring.” Having worked hard to unpack the lie I believed for so long, this work is directly from my own life experience.
Poster design based on the original painting, The Glory of Christmas | oil on linen • 18 x 24 in. | available for purchase
No Gift To Bring | Conté crayon on toned paper • 15 x 22 in. | personal collection
At this Christmas-time of the year, I am reminded and grateful for the opportunity I was given to rehearse my gifts, serve my community, and mature into this current mark on my journey of life. Celebrate Christmas 2019 is near; I look forward to being there.
Live artistic rendering of Cradle, Cross, & Crown—A Portrait of Christ | Celebrate Christmas 2014 FBC Boerne
It was Christmastime 1978, when I first rode through Main Street in Boerne (Bur-nee), Texas. My family’s move from San Antonio to “small-town USA” introduced all kinds of newness and change to my little life. What a magical time the new house, change of scenery, and Main Street adventures provided me.
All us cousins gathering around Uncle Steve.
Among those early childhood adventures are the holidays spent with my aunts, uncles, and cousins who would travel all the way to Boerne to visit. One such memory, vividly available in my heart, is of my Uncle Steve taking us cousins to Winn’s, placing paper bags in our hands, and directing us to pack them full of candy. The treat continued when we arrived back home and sat around to listen to him tell funny stories.
My initial setup for The Christmas Shoppe Illumination began in August 2019 under a warm, full moon night.
That family gathering, downtown adventure, and special treat is something I recall when I step into The Christmas Shoppe at 132 S. Main. For several years, I’ve wanted to express my sentiment in the form of a nocturne painting of The Christmas Shoppe storefront.
I’m happy to present the finished work here. Also, I’m grateful to announce that two of my other Christmas-themed works are now being sold alongside the newly arrived postcards, greeting cards, and Fine Art Prints of The Christmas Shoppe Illumination.
“Giving My Best” Fine Art Prints (signed & numbered) & Christmas cards are available for purchase at The Christmas Shoppe.
I deeply appreciate what Shoppe owner Emily Carvalho expresses about her store, “The Christmas Shoppe ‘Illumination’ depicts the joy of Christ living in us and shining through us as we celebrate every holiday and every little occasion with everyone who visits our store.”
The Christmas Shoppe Illumination | oil on linen • 9 x 12 inch • SOLD
If you get the chance to visit Boerne during the holidays or any time of the year, I invite you to visit this place. Merry Christmas from Boerne.
I dedicate this reflection to the parents I interact with year to year and day to day. I also dedicate it to the two young men I’m blessed to call sons.
Since the first day of this 2019–20 school year, and still fresh on my mind, is the reality I felt while walking across campus with neither of my sons present. It really hurt knowing their days on campus are complete, and their high school seasons are over. I missed them in a whole new way.
I was delighted to repurpose the original set of SRs ’17 props into SRs ’20. GO EAGLES!
Contributing to the void, on that first day, was my involvement in setting up this year’s senior class photo props. As I had done for my sons’ senior classes, I was asked to render a 2020 set of the Seniors/Eagle Talons photo props.
As voids go—they are meant to be filled. So, I proceeded to enjoy the people whom I served. On their faces, I recognized that unique combination of joy and pride amidst the realization, “this is the beginning of the end.” What a privilege it was to be near them. Of course, I also recalled the wonderful memories with my boys.
Here are some of those memories I created with them during their senior years. (Included are some recent ones, too.) How remarkable it is watching them figure out their wings as they take flight into maturity. And therein is the inspiration for this artwork, A Fledgling Flight.
Nate De Luna is my first born son. He’s a graduate of Geneva School of Boerne, class of 2017,
“Portrait of a Community Graduate”
Charcoal on gesso-board | 18×24”
Nate in his sophomore year at Baylor University, 2018-19
Andrew De Luna is my second born son. He’s a graduate of Geneva School of Boerne, class of 2019.
“Andrew, A Portrait Tribute”
Charcoal on gesso-board | 9×12 in.
Andrew and Nate on the occasion of Andrew’s 18th birthday.
