This impressionistic painting of lilac-tinted mountains framed by tall trees and green pines is by a well-known Texas artist, Thelma Travland Cardwell-Cale. You may already be familiar with this artist's work, even if you have never entered an art gallery. In 2011, Cardwell's painting of a field of vividly-colored wildflowers was chosen by H-E-B to appear on the store's reusable tote bag. The original printing of 98,000 soon sold out. In 2014, then 81-year-one Cardwell's colorful Texas-themed work was again selected by H-E-B to appear on a tote bag, as well as items from the chain's Cocinaware, including mugs, trays, and cutting boards.
This oil painting on board is signed by Cardwell on the front and has extensive provenance on the back. Although the painting is undated, there may have a clue from the artist's personal life. In 2004, Cardwell, who had been widowed for 16 years, married Charles Cale and began signing her paintings as "Cardwell-Cale."
Cardwell graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1949 and majored in fine arts at Southwestern University. A resident of Pleasanton, Texas, where she has lived since the 1950s, this 1997 winner of the city's Senior Citizen of the Year is a regular contributor at the Pleasanton Express and has taught art as a volunteer at the Larry Brown Alternative School. Active in both local artistic circles and her community, in 2005, Cardwell organized a group of artists to decorate the new Atascosa Health Center and in 2014 she donated artwork to the new Pleasanton Civic Center. In September of last year, Cardwell donated artwork featuring dogs, cats, and horses to the Atascosa County Animal control for display in their lobby. She has participated in numerous exhibitions and her work can be found in collections throughout the state, including in the homes of two former presidents and two Texas governors.
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