From the NYT:

Writer Jay Root's  TexasTribune.org/NYT story on Jeff Miller, the man behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry's  new image.

Writer Jay Root’s TexasTribune.org/NYT story on Jeff Miller, the man behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s new image.

I frequently shoot for TexasTribune.org and was delighted to have the opportunity to illustrate writer Jay Root‘s story on Jeff Miller, the California political consultant behind Texas Governor Rick Perry’s new image.

‘Within/Without’

Dallas Stands With Israel demonstration July 30, 2014. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

Dallas Stands With Israel demonstration July 30, 2014. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

While hundreds of Israel supporters rallied in front of Dallas City Hall yesterday, July 30, 2014, one lone protester stood well outside the fray to make his voice heard.

Robert “Bobby” Newhouse at Work

Robert "Bobby" Newhose doing what he did best--moving the ball. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

Robert “Bobby” Newhouse doing what he did best–moving the ball. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

Dallas Cowboys fullback Robert Newhouse, 64, died Tuesday July 22, 2014 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

West of Here: And The Drought Goes On

A sign encouraging passersby to pray for rain is attached to a ranch gate on Highway 1954 just south of Wichita Falls, Texas where the area is dealing with severe drought conditions. Measures are underway in Wichita Falls to convert waste water into drinking water. Some residents say they'll pass on wastewater. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

A sign encouraging passersby to pray for rain is attached to a ranch gate on Highway 1954 just south of Wichita Falls, Texas where the area is dealing with severe drought conditions. Measures are underway in Wichita Falls to convert waste water into drinking water. Some residents say they’ll pass on wastewater. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

Choreographer Chris Vo in Rehearsal With DBDT

Choreographer Chris Vo rehearses "touch (listen)" with Dallas Black Dance Theatre company on May 7, 2014 at Dallas Black Dance Theatre studio in Dallas, Texas.

Choreographer Chris Vo rehearses “touch (listen)” with Dallas Black Dance Theatre company on May 7, 2014 at Dallas Black Dance Theatre studio in Dallas, Texas. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

West of Here: BLM Dispute On The Texas-Oklahoma Border

Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst accepts the microphone from Texas landowner Tommy Henderson during a gathering of politicians, landowners, law enforcement and media at the bridge over the Red River on Highway 79, northeast of Byers, Texas. Dewhurst was present to voice support for Henderson in his fight with the BLM over land he says he paid for and owns.

Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst accepts the microphone from Texas landowner Tommy Henderson during a gathering of politicians, landowners, law enforcement and media at the bridge over the Red River on Highway 79, northeast of Byers, Texas. Dewhurst was present to voice support for Henderson in his fight with the BLM over land he says he paid for and owns. ©2014 Robert W. Hart

A Texas Highways Cover

Cover photo of Texas Highways magazine March 2014 issue by Fort Worth-based photojournalist Robert W. Hart.

Cover photo of Texas Highways magazine March 2014 issue by Fort Worth-based photojournalist Robert W. Hart.

Griff Smith, my editor at Texas Highways magazine, gave me this assignment in November and I completed much of the shooting by January 4. However, the editors at TH decided it was strong cover candidate so I concentrated on the Sundance Plaza area and the four umbrellas. At dusk the LEDs come on and illuminate the undersides of the umbrellas in what makes for a very cool light show. The LEDs on the buildings surrounding the plaza are synchronized with the umbrella lights so at various times the entire plaza is bathed in red, blue, orange, white and, my favorite, TCU purple.

You can read the story by Margaret Shakespeare here on the newly redesigned www.TexasHighways.com

I also shot photos of the newly renovated Granbury Opera House. It’s a gorgeous new venue for the resident company and a real source of pride for the community.

Fort Worth is my favorite town on earth. Getting to photograph my town for my favorite magazine was a real delight.

It didn’t feel like work at all. But don’t tell Griff.

“Tom Waits Live at The Paladium 1978” Print Available

Tom Waits in performance with Leon Redbone opening at the Palladium in Dallas on Dec. 2, 1978.  Robert W. Hart ©2013

Tom Waits in performance with Leon Redbone opening at the Palladium in Dallas on Dec. 2, 1978.
Robert W. Hart ©2013

I was a 23-year-old photographer working at the Denton Record-Chronicle in December of 1978 when my best friend bought me a pair of tickets to see Tom Waits and Leon Redbone at The Palladium Ballroom. The December 2nd show was just a couple of weeks shy of my 24th birthday.

I was then, and continue to be, a fan of both artists but I’ve followed Waits’ career closely. His lyrics have always inspired me and he remains one of my favorite writer/performers. I’ve always believed that poetry, like art, is where you find it and Waits does it better than most.

Waits’ “The Heart of Saturday Night” album is pure genius. The Billboard Top Ten for 1978 featured no less than five songs by the Bee Gees and/or Andy Gibb. Debbie Boone and the Commodores were up there too and while Andy was asking “How deep is your love?” Waits was warning his squeeze that “If I exorcise my devils, well, my angels may leave too.”

My best friend, whom I just happened to be married to, accompanied me and I shot photos while Waits performed.

The Dallas Morning News writer, Pete Oppel did an interview with Waits during his Dallas stop and you can read that here.

This photo and others by several talented Dallas photographers are included in the upcoming “Shot In Dallas” exhibit at Kettle Art in Deep Ellum.

West of Here: Terlingua Cemetery Redux

Hundreds of candles adorn the ancient graves on Dia De Los Muertos in the Terlingua Ghost Town cemetery on November 2, 2013.  ©2013 Robert W. Hart

Hundreds of candles adorn the ancient graves on Dia De Los Muertos in the Terlingua Ghost Town cemetery on November 2, 2013.
©2013 Robert W. Hart

West of Here: Playboy Marfa Is Still Erect

The Playboy Marfa art installation by American artist Richard Phillips on Highway 90 west of Marfa, Texas is scheduled to be removed soon because Texas authorities say it is unlicensed advertising. Now Prada Marfa, a famous art installation on the same stretch of highway, has been cited for the same violation and may be removed as well.  ©2013 Robert W. Hart

The Playboy Marfa art installation by American artist Richard Phillips on Highway 90 west of Marfa, Texas is scheduled to be removed soon because Texas authorities say it is unlicensed advertising. Now Prada Marfa, a famous art installation on the same stretch of highway, has been cited for the same violation and may be removed as well.
©2013 Robert W. Hart

The Prada Marfa art installation near Valentine, Texas.

The Prada Marfa art installation near Valentine, Texas.

My recent three-day pilgrimage to Terlingua took me past the Playboy Marfa installation which is much closer to Marfa than Prada Marfa. Prada Valentine would certainly be more accurate since it’s maybe a quarter-mile from the town. Back in July the Texas Highway Department gave the artist, Richard Phillips, 45 days to remove the structure but it’s still standing.

According to some Marfans Prada Marfa is art and Playboy Marfa is, well, something less.

Yeah, I love the headline too.