Denny Pickett
American, (1949–2010)
A resident of Williamson County, Texas for over 30 years, Denny Pickett was recognized as an extraordinary artist, a committed community volunteer, and a Christian whose life bore testimony to his faith. Denny Pickett was born on July 2nd, 1949 in Midland, Texas. His parents were Judge Perry D. Pickett, Sr. and Valerie Frobese Pickett. His love of art and nature, which followed him all of his life, became a passion for expression. He graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1971 where he received his undergraduate degrees in Government and Economics. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas where he received his Masters in Fine Arts degree in 1975 and did post-graduate study at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He married Jan Swallow on June 6, 1970 and they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Joseph Tyrone (Ty) Pickett, born in 1974. Jan and Ty have many fond memories of his support of their family and activities, including travel throughout the United States. In 1975, he began a teaching career as an Instructor of Art at Midland College. The opportunity to enhance his art talent and career led him and his family to New York City where he studied and worked with a cadre of fine abstract and impressionist artists. They returned to the Williamson County area in 1983 where he continued to paint, taught at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, and was visiting art professor and lecturer at Baylor University in Waco for 12 years until his retirement in 2009. Throughout his teaching career, he pursued his true love of painting. His works have been exhibited in over 70 exhibitions in galleries, museums, colleges, and universities in Texas and throughout the United States, winning numerous awards for this works. His paintings are found in the permanent collections of homes, churches, corporations, fine hotels, universities, and museums. In 1992, he began service as a city councilman and was later elected mayor of the town of Granger, Texas serving two terms. During his tenure as mayor, he championed the access to healthcare for underserved children in Williamson County through the marshalling of local resources. Denny Pickett was loved by his family and many friends and was recognized as an excellent and talented artist within the art community and was a committed art educator. He loved his family deeply and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. He will most be remembered for his strong Christian values and his wonderful sense of humor. He and Jan were active members of the Opossum Creek Church. On October 15, 2010 an art opening of Denny's works and those of Baylor colleague Berry Klingman will be held at The Art Center of Waco, 1300 College Drive, Waco, Texas. Denny completed his last works for the exhibit the week of his death.
Source: Midland Reporter-Telegram
American, (1949–2010)
A resident of Williamson County, Texas for over 30 years, Denny Pickett was recognized as an extraordinary artist, a committed community volunteer, and a Christian whose life bore testimony to his faith. Denny Pickett was born on July 2nd, 1949 in Midland, Texas. His parents were Judge Perry D. Pickett, Sr. and Valerie Frobese Pickett. His love of art and nature, which followed him all of his life, became a passion for expression. He graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1971 where he received his undergraduate degrees in Government and Economics. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas where he received his Masters in Fine Arts degree in 1975 and did post-graduate study at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He married Jan Swallow on June 6, 1970 and they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this year. Their marriage was blessed with a son, Joseph Tyrone (Ty) Pickett, born in 1974. Jan and Ty have many fond memories of his support of their family and activities, including travel throughout the United States. In 1975, he began a teaching career as an Instructor of Art at Midland College. The opportunity to enhance his art talent and career led him and his family to New York City where he studied and worked with a cadre of fine abstract and impressionist artists. They returned to the Williamson County area in 1983 where he continued to paint, taught at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, and was visiting art professor and lecturer at Baylor University in Waco for 12 years until his retirement in 2009. Throughout his teaching career, he pursued his true love of painting. His works have been exhibited in over 70 exhibitions in galleries, museums, colleges, and universities in Texas and throughout the United States, winning numerous awards for this works. His paintings are found in the permanent collections of homes, churches, corporations, fine hotels, universities, and museums. In 1992, he began service as a city councilman and was later elected mayor of the town of Granger, Texas serving two terms. During his tenure as mayor, he championed the access to healthcare for underserved children in Williamson County through the marshalling of local resources. Denny Pickett was loved by his family and many friends and was recognized as an excellent and talented artist within the art community and was a committed art educator. He loved his family deeply and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. He will most be remembered for his strong Christian values and his wonderful sense of humor. He and Jan were active members of the Opossum Creek Church. On October 15, 2010 an art opening of Denny's works and those of Baylor colleague Berry Klingman will be held at The Art Center of Waco, 1300 College Drive, Waco, Texas. Denny completed his last works for the exhibit the week of his death.
Source: Midland Reporter-Telegram
Artist Objects
Cypress Creek 2008.062
Artist Images