The artist finished her first oil painting at age 12. She was born to rural schoolteachers in Happy, Texas, and grew up in neighboring small towns. She attended three Texas Universities before receiving her degree in art, then returned for further study at yet another of the state's great universities. Long before the world had heard of Roberta Wesley, during her time in Austin at the University of Texas, the artist's career was given a boost from some well-known Texans. Among them, Lady Bird Johnson purchased paintings for the Johnson Ranch. And Roberta's most memorable and challenging commission came from Mary Alice Shivers, wife of the former Governor. She asked the artist to paint Governor Shiver's face on a huge egg for the famed Neiman Marcus' Easter display. "Fun, but not easy!"
Signed canvas (small)
