The

Real

MikeTabor
By: Lance McFarlin & Amber Ward
Beef Cattle publications and my career has grown out of that. In 1974, Tabor began his formal training at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. Did you receive formal training and if so where? I am a Tarleton State graduate. Mark Davis had a large impact on my life. Ive also worked with a variety of other Artist from New York to California, and I think that Ive gotten something from everyone Ive worked with. What have been some of your major exhibits of the years? There have been numerous gallery shows but probably the first major exhibit was Horse Ballet, which showed in teh mid 90s. People have commented and compared you to Andy Warhol. Do you think this is a good comparison? What do you think about the comparison? Well, theres no doubt he was a big influence on me. That was during my formative years so naturally I was influenced by his work but, as with any artist you grow and change and your direction changes constantly. While his figures remain sensual, his work has been called Postmodern Western.

main sensual, his work has been called Post Modern Western. Tabor has embraced several different mediums throughout his career featuring paintings, sculptures and assemblages. What begins as concerns for light, mood, and color theory becaomes intense emotional interpretation in the hands of this master. What all mediums do you work with and why? I am primarily an acrylic painter but, I also sculpt and build assemblages. I like acrylics because I like to work fast. The sculpting is very time consuming for me. I havent found myself with it yet. Assemblages go back to my love for design. Infinite possibilities and materials. Influenced by the pop art movement of the 1960s and the French Impressionists, Tabor credits his modernistic approach to a continuing drive to take western themes in a new direction. What are some of your inspirations? People wise, I like the pop artists of the 60s. Inspirationally I like Design Principals and playing with space. How long have you been working in your craft as an artist? I started in the 80s drawing for

ike Tabor is one of the southwests most respected expressionist painters. Tabor was raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He is a third-generation rancher who began drawing and sketching at an early age.
Upon his graduation from college, Tabor kept his western roots by working around central Texas on various ranches, and now maintains a family ranching operation in central Texas. Tabor has worked with clients and corporations from coast to coast, and has been spotlighted in numerous print publications. Southwest Art took notice of Tabors talent and featured him both as its 2005 artis to watch and in a 2006 issue dedicated to cowgirls. While his figures re-

Every artist has a different way of describing their own artwork. How would you describe yours? There are a few artists out there who feel the same way as I do as to the direction of their work. The label was coined by an artist named Brad Browne and he says its Post Modern Western Art. I would say that Im more of an expressionistic artist. Tabor will be in Washington D.C. in July. The date of his next scheduled show has not been stet, but should either be in the spring or late fall. Also, his awards will be given at John Hancocks Annual Sales meeting. To see Tabors art, go to www.miketabor.net or call 817-578-1235 and make an appointment to go to the studio, located at 5534 N. Hwy 144 Granbury, TX 76048.

Above- Hanging On An Angel, Left- Special Delivery paintings by Mike Tabor