NBC Artist Series features painting by Arnett artist Jeff Dodd

Nov. 18, 2019

NBC Oklahoma’s 2019 Artist Series painting is “Frontier Rodeo Company Yearlings" by Jeff Dodd.

NBC Oklahoma’s 2019 Artist Series painting is “Frontier Rodeo Company Yearlings" by Jeff Dodd.

A new painting by Jeff Dodd is the latest in NBC Oklahoma’s Artist Series. His realistic work, “Frontier Rodeo Company Yearlings,” depicts a herd of horses under an open sky with cumulus clouds. The oil-on-panel painting measures 60 inches by 53 inches.

 Dodd’s work is the 15th painting in NBC’s Artist Series, for which NBC commissions an original work of art from an artist with Oklahoma ties and then offers prints, posters and postcards to customers. This year’s prints measure 26.5 inches by 24 inches. The Artist Series is part of NBC Chairman Ken Fergeson’s longtime focus on boosting arts and culture in the communities the banks serve and around the state (more details below).

The public can see the original painting as it travels to NBC’s various locations between now and Christmas. Stop by our banks in these communities on these dates to see the paintings. Dodd will also be available during specific receptions in Altus, Kingfisher and Enid to greet guests and sign posters.

ALTUS, 123 W Commerce, on display from Nov. 18-22, with an artist reception from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 19.

KINGFISHER, 801 S Main, on display from Dec. 2-6, with a Christmas open house from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

ENID, 3202 W Owen K. Garriott, on display from Dec. 9-13, with a Christmas open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 10.

OKLAHOMA CITY, 13401 N Pennsylvania, on display from Dec. 16 through the end of the year.

Dodd said inspiring his work are all the times he has visited the Frontier Rodeo Co. in Freedom, where he has photographed the horses and gotten to know the ranch hands who work there.

“I always get excited over animals that are bred for a certain trait and happen to be great athletes,” Dodd said. “I love the animals … such as bucking broncs and bulls for the pro-rodeo circuits.”

Born in Kingfisher, Dodd grew up near where he lives now with his wife Helen just outside of Arnett in Ellis County. He has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford and attended The Art Students League of New York Academy before returning to the heartland. He also began a master’s degree program at Wichita State University but received a commission for a mural project and focused his efforts on that.

Two murals that are 22 feet wide and 11 feet tall are permanently on display in the east and west porticos at the State Capitol – above the Senate and House chambers. The State Arts Council of Oklahoma commissioned Dodd for the paintings in 1990 to commemorate the oil and gas and agriculture industries of Oklahoma; these works are called “Oklahoma Black Gold” and “We Belong to the Land.” Others who have commissioned Dodd’s work include the Philbrook Musuem of Art in Tulsa and the Norman Regional Hospital HealthPlex.

ABOUT NBC OKLAHOMA’S ART EFFORTS

NBC has a collection of private art on display at each of its banks. The bank also has art gallery in Altus used to display them and promote Oklahoma artists and art and to host events for some nonprofit institutions. NBC built the Wigwam Art Gallery adjacent to its downtown bank on the corner of Commerce and Hudson in Altus to resemble the 1920s-era Wigwam Movie Theater that once was located there.

NBC Chairman Ken Fergeson has a lifelong interest in art and a personal mission to support artists and help as many people as possible enjoy the beauty of it. NBC’s Artist Series has included many prominent pieces by artists with Oklahoma ties, as well as a calendar and a book. Previous artists include Mike Larsen, Harold T. Holden, Jean Richardson, Kenny McKenna, Otta Duecker III, Mitsuno Ishii Reedy, Benjamin Harjo Jr., Mikel Donahue, Brent Learned, Tom Palmore, Carol Beesley, Bert D. Seabourn, Sonya Terpening and Poteet Victory.

NBC also has commissioned and/or financed public works throughout the state for all to enjoy. These have included two life-sized monuments in Altus, both by Western artist and Oklahoma native Harold T. Holden – “Vision Seeker,” located in the southwest corner of the Altus City Park, and “Crossing the Red” on Jackson County Courthouse grounds. (A second casting of “Vision Seeker” is located at Enid High School.)

Other public or large-scale art projects that NBC Oklahoma has commissioned and/or provided financing for include:

  • Holden’s sculptures “Boomer” in downtown Enid

  • “The Ranger” at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva and Enid;

  • “Broncho” at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond

  • “The Bison Spirit” at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee;

  •  Cub Scout sculpture in front of NBC’s Nichols Hills location at 2800 NW Grand Blvd;

  • A sculpture series of powder-coated steel called “Strengthening the Voids” by Oklahoma City artist Joe Slack in front of NBC’s north Altus location at 101 Sequoyah; and

  • “Balance,” a fused glass sculpture located in the lobby of NBC’s north Oklahoma City location at 13401 N Pennsylvania.

For information about the gallery, current exhibits or NBC Oklahoma’s art, contact Matthew D. Davids, NBC’s administrator of art collections, at 580-481-3150 or mdavids@nbcok.com.

NBC Chairman Ken Fergeson and artist Jeff Dodd

NBC Chairman Ken Fergeson and artist Jeff Dodd

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