"When first seeing the scope of my work, it is obvious that it does not fall into an overall, easily-defined category..."
Poole Self Portrait ca 1974
Poole Self Portrait ca 1990
Poole Self Portrait ca 1999
Poole Self Portrait ca 2008
“It used to trouble me that I could not seem to settle on a “style” or “school” of painting with which I could make a statement. On reflection, however, I realized that if I were an actor, I wouldn’t want to be “typecast,” consigned to playing the same character over and over. Too, if I were a writer, I would be bored silly writing in the same manner for every book, regardless of the subject.
I have worked hard to learn the many disciplines of painting so that I can depict whatever image or statement I desire, with or without the benefit of models or props. I have striven to be honest with my work and do only those things that please me other than those commissions necessary for living expenses.
I will continue my broad spectrum of work though most galleries are generally uncomfortable with unpredictable artists.
Each painting is to stand on its own, without benefit of explanation, justification, juxtapositions or other ephemeral buzzwords seeking to confuse or dissipate.”
O. gail poole
ASSOCIATIONS
President, Oklahoma Art Guild
Founder, Professional Artists Association of Oklahoma
Founder and President, Art Directors Guild of Oklahoma City
Chair, Oklahoma Bicentennial Artist’s Exposition
Chair, Oklahoma City Bicentennial Artist’s Exhibition
Board Member, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition
Board Member, Norman Arts Council
Member, Pastel Society of America
Member, Oklahoma Society of Impressionists
Member, Professional Artists Association of Oklahoma
Adjunct Professor of Art, University of Oklahoma
Adjunct Professor, School of Journalism, University of Oklahoma
AWARDS
Oklahoma City Bicentennial Commission 1976
Oklahoma City Museum of Art Professional Advancement Award 1992
Collections
Oklahoma State Capitol Collection
President David L. Boren/Boyd House, Fred Jones, Jr. Museum of Art
EXHIBITS
2016 "O. Gail Poole: Rediscovered Oklahoma Master"
Oklahoma Hall of Fame | Gaylord-Pickens Museum, OKC
2016 "Spaghetti Western," Casa dell'Energia; Arezzo, Italy
2016 "Esprits de l'Ouest," Galerie Arludik, Paris, France
2012 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK
2016 "Flora & Felines," Myriad Botanical Gardens, OKC
2015 National Weather Center Biennale
2015 "Exploring the Landscape," Norrick Art Center, Oklahoma City University
2015 "As Yet UnNamed," An Introduction to Poole's Sketches, The Depot, Norman OK
2015 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2014 As Yet Untamed," ArtSpace at Untitled, OKC
2012 “Regionalism in Oklahoma” Pierson Gallery, Tulsa, OK/Group
2010 MainSite/Group
2010 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2009 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2008 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2007 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2006 JRB Art at the Elms/Solo
2006 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2006 “La Voce Politica,” IAO Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2005 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2005 JRB Art at the Elms/Group
2004 Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
2004 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
2003 City Arts Center, OKC/Group
2003 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
2003 Leslie Powell Museum, Lawton, OK/Solo
2002 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
2002 MainSite Gallery, Norman, OK/Group
2002 MainSite Gallery, Norman, OK/Solo
2001 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
2001 University of Science and Art, Chickasha, OK/Solo
2000 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
2000 MainSite Gallery, Norman OK/Group
2000 City Arts Center, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
2000 Charles B. Goddard Center for Visual & Performing Arts, Ardmore, OK/Group
1999 12x12 Invitational, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, OKC, OK/Group
1999 Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Biennial, OKC/Group/Juried
1999 MainSite Contemporary Art, Norman, OK/Group
1998 Dodson Gallery, OKC/Solo
1997 Bricktown Galleries, OKC/Solo
1996 Taos Fine Arts, Taos, NM/Group
1996 Firehouse Art Center, Norman, OK/Solo
1995 Summit Financial Headquarters, Princeton NJ/Solo
1995 Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Biennial, OKC/Group/Juried
1995 Gilcrease Museum Rendezvous, Tulsa, OK/Group
1995 Milbourn Gallery, OKC/Solo
1995 Colonial Art, OKC/Solo
1994 Oklahoma City Museum of Art, OKC/Solo
1994 Gilcrease Museum Rendezvous, Tulsa, OK/Group
1993 Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Biennial, OKC/Group/Juried
1993 Oklahoma City Art Museum, /Solo
1993 Governor’s Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
1993 Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK/Group
1993 Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
1993 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group
1992 Spiva Museum, Joplin, MO/Group
1992 Philbrook Museum, Tulsa, OK/Group
1992 Oklahoma State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
1992 Fianna Country Club, Fort Smith, AK/Group
1992 Bartlesville Museum, Bartlesville, OK/Group
1992 Akron Grand Exhibition, Akron, OH Juried/Group
1990 Governor’s Gallery, Oklahoma State Capitol/Group
1990 Gallery III at Brookhaven, Norman, OK/Solo
1991 Leslie Powell Museum, Lawton, OK/Solo
1991 Isle of Indigo, Oklahoma City/Solo
1991 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group*
1990 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group*
1989 Gallery III at Brookhaven, Norman, OK/Solo
1989 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group*
1988 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group*
1987 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group*
1986 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group
1985 Evening of Art Invitational, Presbyterian Health Center, OKC/Group
*Best in Show
1981 The Drawing Room, Oklahoma City, OK/Solo
1981 Jan Matee Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK/Solo
1981 Gavleanne Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK/Solo
1981 Oklahoma Art Gallery
1978 Woodland Cabin Gallery, Oklahoma City, OK
1977 Oklahoma Art Center
1977 Distinguished Artists of Oklahoma, Midwestern Governors’ Conference/Group
1976 Professional Artists Association, Jan Maree Galleries, Oklahoma City, OK/Group
1976 Oklahoma Arts and Humanities Council – Arts Festival
1975 All Western Chaparral Art Show & Auction Ruidoso Downs
1975 Annual Western Art Show and Sale (San Antonio)
1975 Broken Spur Gallery, San Antonio, TX
1975 Taos Art Association
1974 First Annual Western Artists of America, Oklahoma City, OK
1974 Blair Galleries, Santa Fe, New Mexico
1974 Dow Art Galleries, Fort Worth TX (1973)
1974 Best of the Southwest Art Show and Sale, Austin TX
1974 Annual Western Art Show and Sale (San Antonio)
1974 Professional Western and Wildlife Art Exhibit, North Platte NB
1974 Oklahoma Fine Arts Museum
1974 The West Returns to Grand Central, Grand Central Galleries, NYC
1974 Western Artists of Oklahoma, Manz, Germany