By Rachelle Moere
This dynamic metropolis which invites folk from all areas of life to enjoy its beautifully unique culture. Artists of all sorts head to Austin to find sanctuary from the ordinary, the tried-and-true, and the cubicle. It has its share of internationally famous artists who have found that the Austin area has everything someone could desire without the �fanfare or pretense of the big city. Even household names have moved to Austin to "keep it real" and definitely weird. Austin famous artists, weird or not, know there's no place like home.
Todd Sanders
Todd Sanders, a self-described "urban archaologist" makes neon signs reminiscent of those made in the 1930s and 1940s that lit the way all of the way across Route 66. Calls himself an "urban archaologist" concentrating on neon signs based totally on designs by sign makers from the 1930s and 1940s. Researching the systems used by mid 20th Century employees, he gets his inspiration from photographing cultural relics and taking country drives. Sanders ' business, Roadhouse Relics, lately was commissioned to make two neon works for Blake Shelton and Miranda Kerr's marriage. His pieces recall nostalgia for Route 66, drive-ins, diners, Vegas a much simpler time. Sanders is probably one of the famous artists in Austin who draw other artists to the town in hordes.
Richard Linklater
His film, "Slackers" (with Ethan Hawke, Jeanne Garofalo and Winona Ryder) was to Generation X'ers what "Breakfast Club" was to a generation before. Linklater, born in Houston, studied at Sam Houston State University, but left early to take a job on an off-shore oil rig in the Gulf. Boring hours on the ocean left a lot of time for masses of reading and movies. It was in this time that the filmmaker made a decision he needed to be a filmmaker. Linklater acquired himself a Super-8 camera, revising gear and a projector and moved to the Austin area. He began to attend Austin Community College to study cinema. In 1985 he set up the Austin Film Society to attract famous artists from Austin and is credited for being accountable for making Austin the central hub of independent film making. The budding artist made Slackers for only $23,000. The filmmaker also updated "Bad News Bears", "Waking Life" and "Before Sunrise", again employing Ethan Hawke. He is nick-named "St. Richard of Austin" and is the forefather of Austin famous artists.
Matthew McConaughey
Screen star Matthew McConaughey was born in 1969 in Uvalde, Texas, and grew up in Longview, where he graduated from high school. Instead of dig in the oil business like his dad and bros, he took a year off in Australia prior to going back to the U.S. And attending U.T. Austin. He modified his major from and started acting in TV commercials and student films. The actor was introduced to Richard Linklater at a bar in Austin, and Linklater cast McConaughey in the flick "Daze and Confused". Originally he was supposed to be in 3 scenes but the task extended to 300 lines once McConaughey did some improvisations. He also appeared in "Texas Chainsaw Massare: The New Generation" with fellow Texan Renee Zellweger. The unexpected in-flow of film offers prompted him to go to L. A. , where he filmed "Lone Star", "A Time to Kill", "Contact", "Amistad" and "The Newton Boys". More recent films have included "The Wedding Planner", "Reign of Fire" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". Famous artists in Austin like McConaughey have put the town on the map.
Famous artists from Austin have chosen to live in Texas because it's equidistant to both coasts, they feel grounded and secure in the Hill Country and they know the town is on its way to mega stardom itself. The inventive community in Austin is firmly grounded and thousands-strong, and the "Keep Austin Weird" crowd is ready for Austin to have its close-up any moment now. Austin famous artists make their town a real destination point.
Todd Sanders
Todd Sanders, a self-described "urban archaologist" makes neon signs reminiscent of those made in the 1930s and 1940s that lit the way all of the way across Route 66. Calls himself an "urban archaologist" concentrating on neon signs based totally on designs by sign makers from the 1930s and 1940s. Researching the systems used by mid 20th Century employees, he gets his inspiration from photographing cultural relics and taking country drives. Sanders ' business, Roadhouse Relics, lately was commissioned to make two neon works for Blake Shelton and Miranda Kerr's marriage. His pieces recall nostalgia for Route 66, drive-ins, diners, Vegas a much simpler time. Sanders is probably one of the famous artists in Austin who draw other artists to the town in hordes.
Richard Linklater
His film, "Slackers" (with Ethan Hawke, Jeanne Garofalo and Winona Ryder) was to Generation X'ers what "Breakfast Club" was to a generation before. Linklater, born in Houston, studied at Sam Houston State University, but left early to take a job on an off-shore oil rig in the Gulf. Boring hours on the ocean left a lot of time for masses of reading and movies. It was in this time that the filmmaker made a decision he needed to be a filmmaker. Linklater acquired himself a Super-8 camera, revising gear and a projector and moved to the Austin area. He began to attend Austin Community College to study cinema. In 1985 he set up the Austin Film Society to attract famous artists from Austin and is credited for being accountable for making Austin the central hub of independent film making. The budding artist made Slackers for only $23,000. The filmmaker also updated "Bad News Bears", "Waking Life" and "Before Sunrise", again employing Ethan Hawke. He is nick-named "St. Richard of Austin" and is the forefather of Austin famous artists.
Matthew McConaughey
Screen star Matthew McConaughey was born in 1969 in Uvalde, Texas, and grew up in Longview, where he graduated from high school. Instead of dig in the oil business like his dad and bros, he took a year off in Australia prior to going back to the U.S. And attending U.T. Austin. He modified his major from and started acting in TV commercials and student films. The actor was introduced to Richard Linklater at a bar in Austin, and Linklater cast McConaughey in the flick "Daze and Confused". Originally he was supposed to be in 3 scenes but the task extended to 300 lines once McConaughey did some improvisations. He also appeared in "Texas Chainsaw Massare: The New Generation" with fellow Texan Renee Zellweger. The unexpected in-flow of film offers prompted him to go to L. A. , where he filmed "Lone Star", "A Time to Kill", "Contact", "Amistad" and "The Newton Boys". More recent films have included "The Wedding Planner", "Reign of Fire" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days". Famous artists in Austin like McConaughey have put the town on the map.
Famous artists from Austin have chosen to live in Texas because it's equidistant to both coasts, they feel grounded and secure in the Hill Country and they know the town is on its way to mega stardom itself. The inventive community in Austin is firmly grounded and thousands-strong, and the "Keep Austin Weird" crowd is ready for Austin to have its close-up any moment now. Austin famous artists make their town a real destination point.
About the Author:
Rachelle Morere has been fascinated by famous artists from Austin for many years. She has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications. For more information about Austin famous artists, please visit his site.