Randy Souders
Encyclopedia
Randy Souders is an American painter in the realistic and magic realism
traditions. He is best known for highly detailed works painted with acrylic on wood panel (Masonite
), and sometimes on canvas. His early subject matter usually featured nostalgic interpretations of rural and small town scenes annd Americana
; landscapes with historic architecture, and interior still lifes that incorporated antiques. He is known for his interpretative renderings of American style Victorian
, Queen Anne
, Tudor Revival, Romanesque
and Second Empire homes and buildings. Following a trip to England
and Scotland
in 1988, he created a substantial body of work featuring "old world
" themes featuring cottages, castless, chapels, pubs etc. In 1990 he began a parallel career as a popular gallery artist for The Walt Disney Company
.
). His first months were spent in a tiny home situated in a cotton patch on his grandparents’ farm near Pocasset, Oklahoma
. His parents soon relocated to the far south Texas “valley” area near Harlingen, Texas
in order to establish a citrus farm. The venture soon proved unsuitable and the young family headed back north and settled in Fort Worth, Texas
where they have remained for over 50 years.
Souder attended Trimble Technical High School
(a vocational/magnet school) where he received intensive instruction in commercial art
. At age 14, his parents enrolled him in Art Instruction Schools
--a renowned correspondence school which was founded in 1914 and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota
. He subsequently attended Tarrant County College
and the University of Texas at Arlington
where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts
degree in Art
(illustration
and graphic design
)
resulting in incomplete tetraplegia. Initially he could only shrug his shoulders and had limited, uncoordinated arm movement. After months in hospital, he eventually regained enough function to enable him to relearn how to write, paint and live independently. Since then, all his artworks are created primarily with wrist and arm movement. He works on an inclined table, rather than an upright easel, which provides additional support and control.
(an early influence) died that same evening. Years later, Souder became the only other artist to have his works exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum (then located in Philadelphia’s Curtis Publishing Company
building; home of the Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and other magazines). Based on the success of this first show, Souder left advertising to concentrate on painting full time.
, United States Capitol
, John F. Kennedy Center, and several museums in the United States
and abroad. Souder established Souders Fine Art, an art studio and print publishing company through which he released over 100 collectible print editions and licensed products. Souder also founded Souders Gallery, a retail art gallery and framing venture. He subsequently transferred ownership to his parents in 1990.
A few notable clients and partnerships include State Farm Insurance
, Maxwell House
, MGM Grand
/Turner Entertainment
, Texas Historical Commission
, Capitol Records
, Maytag
, Texaco
, and Southwestern Bell
. His images have been adapted onto products by Department 56
, Limoges porcelain
, Bulova
watches and clocks, among others.
In June 1990, Souder began his collaboration with the Walt Disney Company. This marked the first of many appearances and signings at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort
s. In 1992, he was a featured artist at the first Official Disneyana
Convention, a major week-long event that drew thousands of collectors and Disney enthusiasts from around the world. Souder produced original paintings that were used to create the limited edition poster for each event. He was the only artist to have participated in each and every convention for its entire 10-year run. Souder’s work has been featured at Disney’s parks & resorts, on their cruise ships, in the Disney Gallery in California and on 5th Avenue in New York. Many of Souder’s original Disney paintings have been auctioned by Sotheby’s.
In 1997, Souder was an on-air vendor with Home Shopping Network
which featured him and his artworks via their nationwide television programs.
, the youngest sister of President John F. Kennedy
. Ambassador Smith soon asked Souder to serve on the board of directors of VSA Arts
, an international nonprofit organization she founded in 1974 to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA annually serves over 6 million people with disabilities across the U.S. and around the world. VSA Arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Souder has been a noted disability rights advocate, public speaker and author. He wrote the foreword to VSA's book Putting Creativity to Work --a landmark career guide for people with disabilities. Ambassador Smith dedicated a chapter to Souder in her book, Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists
, written with George Plimpton
and published by Random House
in April 1993.
Over the years Souder has been involved with numerous charitable causes including the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to which he has granted use of his artworks for calendars and greeting card campaigns. The foundation featured Randy as one of their "Heroes for Hope:" (no longer on the CRPF server).
In 1989, Souders was appointed to the national board of directors of VSA Arts, a non-profit international organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities and a CRPF Quality of Life grant recipient.
Souder married his wife Jamie in 1990. They have two children and two grandchildren.
and CNN’s Headline News
Freedom of Expression
Souder has been profiled in the following books:
Magic realism
Magic realism or magical realism is an aesthetic style or genre of fiction in which magical elements blend with the real world. The story explains these magical elements as real occurrences, presented in a straightforward manner that places the "real" and the "fantastic" in the same stream of...
traditions. He is best known for highly detailed works painted with acrylic on wood panel (Masonite
Masonite
Masonite is a type of hardboard invented by William H. Mason.-History:Masonite was invented in 1924 in Laurel, Mississippi, by William H. Mason. Mass production started in 1929. In the 1930s and 1940s Masonite was used for many applications including doors, roofing, walls, desktops, and canoes...
), and sometimes on canvas. His early subject matter usually featured nostalgic interpretations of rural and small town scenes annd Americana
Americana
Americana refers to artifacts, or a collection of artifacts, related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the United States. Many kinds of material fall within the definition of Americana: paintings, prints and drawings; license plates or entire vehicles, household objects,...
; landscapes with historic architecture, and interior still lifes that incorporated antiques. He is known for his interpretative renderings of American style Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
, Queen Anne
Queen Anne Style architecture
The Queen Anne Style in Britain means either the English Baroque architectural style roughly of the reign of Queen Anne , or a revived form that was popular in the last quarter of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century...
, Tudor Revival, Romanesque
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
and Second Empire homes and buildings. Following a trip to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1988, he created a substantial body of work featuring "old world
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....
" themes featuring cottages, castless, chapels, pubs etc. In 1990 he began a parallel career as a popular gallery artist for The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue. Founded on October 16, 1923, by Walt and Roy Disney as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, Walt Disney Productions established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into...
.
Early life and influences
Randy is the second of four children born to parents Robert and Marjorie Souders (his mother is a member of the Daughters of the Republic of TexasDaughters of the Republic of Texas
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas is a sororal association dedicated to perpetuating the memory of Texas pioneer families and soldiers of the Republic of Texas. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas is best known for its role as caretakers of The Alamo. They also operate a museum in Austin...
). His first months were spent in a tiny home situated in a cotton patch on his grandparents’ farm near Pocasset, Oklahoma
Pocasset, Oklahoma
Pocasset is a town in Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 192 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Pocasset is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
. His parents soon relocated to the far south Texas “valley” area near Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States, about from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than , and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the sixth largest in the Rio Grande Valley...
in order to establish a citrus farm. The venture soon proved unsuitable and the young family headed back north and settled in Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
where they have remained for over 50 years.
Souder attended Trimble Technical High School
Trimble Technical High School
Green B. Trimble Technical High School, also known as Trimble Tech, is a Fort Worth Independent School District vocational high school located on the south side of Fort Worth, Texas, United States, in the medical district.- Fort Worth High School :...
(a vocational/magnet school) where he received intensive instruction in commercial art
Commercial art
Commercial art is historically a subsector of creative services, referring to art created for commercial purposes, primarily advertising. The term has become increasingly anachronistic in favor of more contemporary terms such as graphic design and advertising art.Commercial art traditionally...
. At age 14, his parents enrolled him in Art Instruction Schools
Art Instruction Schools
Art Instruction Schools, better known to many as Art Instruction, Inc., is a home study correspondence course providing training in cartooning and illustration...
--a renowned correspondence school which was founded in 1914 and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. He subsequently attended Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College ' or Tarrant County College District is a community college serving the Fort Worth area in Tarrant County, Texas and providing degree programs toward an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts in Teaching...
and the University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
degree in Art
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
(illustration
Illustration
An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information by providing a visual representation graphically.- Early history :The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric...
and graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
)
Injury and recovery
On August 5, 1972, three month before his 18th birthday, Souder dove into a local lake and hit a submerged object. He broke his neck and sustained a paralyzing spinal cord injurySpinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury refers to any injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease. Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms can vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence...
resulting in incomplete tetraplegia. Initially he could only shrug his shoulders and had limited, uncoordinated arm movement. After months in hospital, he eventually regained enough function to enable him to relearn how to write, paint and live independently. Since then, all his artworks are created primarily with wrist and arm movement. He works on an inclined table, rather than an upright easel, which provides additional support and control.
Beginning
Souder graduated the University of Texas in May 1978 and was immediately hired by a local advertising agency. He had his first one-man show of paintings on November 8, 1978. This date was significant, not only because it was his birthday, but also because famed painter and illustrator Norman RockwellNorman Rockwell
Norman Percevel Rockwell was a 20th-century American painter and illustrator. His works enjoy a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture. Rockwell is most famous for the cover illustrations of everyday life scenarios he created for The Saturday Evening...
(an early influence) died that same evening. Years later, Souder became the only other artist to have his works exhibited at the Norman Rockwell Museum (then located in Philadelphia’s Curtis Publishing Company
Curtis Publishing Company
The Curtis Publishing Company, founded in 1891 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, became one of the largest and most influential publishers in the United States during the early 20th century. The company's publications included the Ladies' Home Journal and The Saturday Evening Post, The American Home,...
building; home of the Saturday Evening Post, Ladies Home Journal, and other magazines). Based on the success of this first show, Souder left advertising to concentrate on painting full time.
Fine art career
What followed was a fine art career that has surpassed three decades. Souder has had countless public and exhibitions including having works displayed at the White HouseWhite House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, United States Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
, John F. Kennedy Center, and several museums in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and abroad. Souder established Souders Fine Art, an art studio and print publishing company through which he released over 100 collectible print editions and licensed products. Souder also founded Souders Gallery, a retail art gallery and framing venture. He subsequently transferred ownership to his parents in 1990.
Projects and partnerships
Souder was an early member of the Texas Wild Bunch, a non-profit organization of full time professional Texas artists that produced many exhibitions around the state.A few notable clients and partnerships include State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance
State Farm Insurance is a group of insurance and financial services companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Canada....
, Maxwell House
Maxwell House
Maxwell House is a brand of coffee manufactured by a like-named division of Kraft Foods. Introduced in 1892, it is named in honor of the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. For many years until the late 1980s it was the largest-selling coffee in the U.S. and is currently second behind...
, MGM Grand
MGM Grand Las Vegas
The MGM Grand Las Vegas is a hotel casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The MGM Grand is the third largest hotel in the world and largest hotel resort complex in the United States in front of The Venetian. The MGM Grand was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in...
/Turner Entertainment
Turner Entertainment
Turner Entertainment Company, Inc. is an American media company founded by Ted Turner. Now owned by Time Warner, the company is largely responsible for overseeing its library for worldwide distribution Turner Entertainment Company, Inc. (commonly known as Turner Entertainment Co.) is an American...
, Texas Historical Commission
Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is an agency dedicated to historic preservation within the state of Texas. It administers the National Register of Historic Places for sites in Texas....
, Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
, Maytag
Maytag
Maytag Corporation is an American home and commercial appliance company, headquartered in Newton, Iowa, that is a division of the Whirlpool Corporation.-Company history:...
, Texaco
Texaco
Texaco is the name of an American oil retail brand. Its flagship product is its fuel "Texaco with Techron". It also owns the Havoline motor oil brand....
, and Southwestern Bell
Southwestern Bell
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T. It does business as AT&T Southwest and other d/b/a names in its operating region.The company is currently headquartered in Dallas, Texas at One AT&T Plaza.-History:...
. His images have been adapted onto products by Department 56
Department 56
Department 56 is a manufacturer of holiday collectibles, ornaments and giftware, known for their lit Christmas village collections and their Snowbabies collection. It is owned by Enesco.-History:...
, Limoges porcelain
Limoges porcelain
Limoges porcelain designates hard-paste porcelain produced by factories near the city of Limoges, France beginning in the late 18th century, but does not refer to a particular manufacturer.- History :...
, Bulova
Bulova
Bulova is a corporation making luxury watches and clocks. It has its headquarters in Woodside, Queens, New York City.Bulova was founded and incorporated as the J. Bulova Company in 1875 by Joseph Bulova , an immigrant from Bohemia...
watches and clocks, among others.
In June 1990, Souder began his collaboration with the Walt Disney Company. This marked the first of many appearances and signings at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining, and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney.The area now...
s. In 1992, he was a featured artist at the first Official Disneyana
Disneyana
Disneyana is a term for toys, books, animation celluloids, theme-park souvenirs, and other collectibles produced by The Walt Disney Company, featuring such characters as Mickey Mouse and Tinker Bell...
Convention, a major week-long event that drew thousands of collectors and Disney enthusiasts from around the world. Souder produced original paintings that were used to create the limited edition poster for each event. He was the only artist to have participated in each and every convention for its entire 10-year run. Souder’s work has been featured at Disney’s parks & resorts, on their cruise ships, in the Disney Gallery in California and on 5th Avenue in New York. Many of Souder’s original Disney paintings have been auctioned by Sotheby’s.
In 1997, Souder was an on-air vendor with Home Shopping Network
Home Shopping Network
Home Shopping Network or HSN began in 1977 as a 24-hour/7 day a week home shopping television network televised via cable, satellite, and some terrestrial channels in the Philippines. HSN can also be shopped online at hsn.com...
which featured him and his artworks via their nationwide television programs.
Charitable affiliations and advocacy
After his injury, Souder credits his ability to engage in creative self-expression with giving his life a renewed sense of purpose and meaning. In 1988, he met Jean Kennedy SmithJean Kennedy Smith
Jean Ann Kennedy Smith is an American diplomat and a former United States Ambassador to Ireland. She is the eighth of nine children born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald and is their last surviving child. She is the sister of the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy,...
, the youngest sister of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. Ambassador Smith soon asked Souder to serve on the board of directors of VSA Arts
VSA arts
VSA is an international organization on arts and disability which was founded in 1974 by former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith...
, an international nonprofit organization she founded in 1974 to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA annually serves over 6 million people with disabilities across the U.S. and around the world. VSA Arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Souder has been a noted disability rights advocate, public speaker and author. He wrote the foreword to VSA's book Putting Creativity to Work --a landmark career guide for people with disabilities. Ambassador Smith dedicated a chapter to Souder in her book, Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists
Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists
Chronicles of Courage: Very Special Artists was written by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith with George Plimpton and published by Random House in April 1993...
, written with George Plimpton
George Plimpton
George Ames Plimpton was an American journalist, writer, editor, and actor. He is widely known for his sports writing and for helping to found The Paris Review.-Early life:...
and published by Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
in April 1993.
Over the years Souder has been involved with numerous charitable causes including the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to which he has granted use of his artworks for calendars and greeting card campaigns. The foundation featured Randy as one of their "Heroes for Hope:" (no longer on the CRPF server).
In 1989, Souders was appointed to the national board of directors of VSA Arts, a non-profit international organization that creates learning opportunities through the arts for people with disabilities and a CRPF Quality of Life grant recipient.
Souder married his wife Jamie in 1990. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Publications and media coverage
CNNCNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
and CNN’s Headline News
Freedom of Expression
- Parade Magazine
Souder has been profiled in the following books:
- Chronicles of Courage by Jean Kennedy Smith & George Plimpton (Random House ISBN 0-679-78298-2)
- Journey to Here by Alexandra Reader & C. David Rabins (ISBN 0-9680667-8-X)
- Enabled in Words: The Real Lives, Real Victories of People with Disabilities by Keith Landry, Sarah Lopez, & Yudha Pratama (ISBN 0-9766560-1-9)
- It's Not Too Late! Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life by Max Malikow (ISBN 0-7618-3774-4)
Articles and further reading
- VSA Arts: Randy Souders
- VSA Artists Showcase: Randy Souders
- Putting Creativity to Work: Careers in the Arts for People with Disabilities
- Maximizing Strength For Painting, Randy Souders
- Randy Souders, Master of Romance and Whimsy
- Passion for the Arts by Randy Souders
Disney
- Disney Artists Database: Randy Souders
- Official Disneyana Convention 1999 Randy Souder's "Jungle Cruise"
- Disneyana Convention 2001 Limited Edition Randy Souders
- Laughing Place Article
- Collect-O-Mania
- Important & Exclusive Disney Collectibles
- Disneyana Exchange
- The Magic of Disney in Counted Cross Stitch
- Disney Magic Interactive: Fine Art Forum discussion about Randy Souders (in French)