Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Tabor.
Hi Mike, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Newly married I began working on a ranch in central Texas. During the week I managed Calico Cattle Company serving as a consultant for primarily absentee landowners as well as taking care of our family ranch. This included making decisions on livestock sales, purchasing, overseeing pasture management, fence, and coral design as well as road and building construction. My free time was limited to Sundays or bad winter days where I spent most of it creating pencil sketches of the cowboy way of life and livestock. I was doing some drawings of Purebred registered Beefmaster cattle on Sunday when my wife said, “If you’re going to do those kinds of drawings why don’t you try and sell them?” The Fort Worth Stock Show was coming up so I decided I would take a drawing up there and see what would happen. I had done a drawing of a bull called “TaylorMade” who was owned by Dr. David Brown from Florida. The bull was bought by a syndicate for $350,000. Dr. Brown ended up buying the drawing and commissioned me to do a more current drawing of the bull for the new syndicate. That was my first art sale and my introduction to becoming a professional artist. I went on to draw several high-dollar cows and bulls for a variety of owners and beef cattle publications. I soon needed more than pencil commissions to satisfy my drive and started doing some acrylic paintings. At first, cowboys and rodeo subjects since I knew that best, then later commission work. I was painting and showing in galleries when my best friend Dan Coates suddenly passed away. Dan was a sculptor and had a few unfinished pieces that were scheduled to be in Boston at an awards ceremony in the summer. The company asked me to make sure all the art got completed and delivered on time. I was happy to help and do this for Dan’s family. That was my introduction to the world of 3-D art. I have since been creating sculptures for corporations, individuals, and private collectors for the past 18 years. It was through such companies that I was commissioned to do my first life-size sculpture and became exposed to public art. I still do a variety of commissioned jobs, but my primary interest is now with creating public works. I have worked with Financial Institutions, Universities, Professional Ballparks, and city municipalities in creating, designing, and facilitating larger outdoor and indoor public works.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I believe what the Bible says about challenges and obstacles, the good Lord never gives you more that you can stand. There haven’t been any great challenges in my art career. I have been very blessed to always have work and have been able to meet my commitments. In my personal life having cancer was a setback. No one is ready for that kind of news. Because of Leukemia, I’ve had some health struggles. It’s not something that I can’t live with, but it makes my working day a little more challenging. I’m sure It’s been quite hard on my wife and my family. Overall, I would have to say my struggles have been limited.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Mike Tabor 5534 N Hwy 144
Granbury, TX 76048
817.578.1235
miketaborstudio@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/MikeTaborStudio
https://www.instagram.com/miketaborstudio/
Artist with 40 + years of professional related work experience, skilled in a variety of public work, commission work, private, corporate, one man, and group showings. Public art includes life-size bronzes, commissioned paintings, and murals. Possesses the ability to work with a wide range of individuals, groups, corporations, and institutions to produce and design art to fit a variety of needs and wants. Specializing in good communication skills and the ability to deliver a product in a timely manner.
Education
May 1981 Texas A&M System – Tarleton State University
Bachelor of Science
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Art Education
Health Science
1999,2000,2004,2019,2020 Texas Christian University
Advanced Placement Certification
Professional Experience
Artist
2005-Present Annual Commission Bronze Sculptures-3D
John Hancock Financial Services, Boston, MA
2022 Elevate Life-size Abstract Steel Sculpture
Cleburne, TX (in progress)
2022 Ranch Repose Life-Size Bronze (in progress)
Shanley Sculpture Garden, Granbury, TX
2021 2nd Annual Cowtown Collection Invitational Art Show
Fort Worth, TX
2021 1st Annual Dan and Judy Coates Invitational Art Show
Granbury, TX
2021 Trinity Trout Commissioned Outdoor Mural
Tarrant Regional Water District, Fort Worth, TX
2021 40th Annual Western Spirit Juried Art Show
Cheyenne, WY
2020 1st Annual Cowtown Collection Invitational Art Show
Fort Worth, TX
2020 4 Western Theme Acrylic Paintings for the Owners Suite
Globe Life Park, Arlington, TX
2016 General James Earl Rudder Life-Size Bronze
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
2013 Yes You Can– Dick and Rick Hoyt Life-Size Bronze
John Hancock, Boston Marathon Starting Line, Hopkinton, MA
2012 1/3 Life Size Bronze Sculpture – Yes You Can
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Logan International Airport, Boston, MA
John Hancock Collection, Boston, MA
2012 Company Man 3-D bronze
John Hancock Museum, Chicago, IL
2008 11 Commissioned Western Paintings
City of Granbury, Granbury Convention Center, Granbury, TX
2000,2001,2017 Lone Star Yellow Pages Cover-Granbury, TX
1999,2009 The Cattleman Magazine Cover
Texas Cattle Raisers Association, Fort Worth, TX
1985-Present Two-Dimensional Commission Work
Mike Tabor Studio, Granbury, TX
1985-1992 Beef Cattle Portrait Commissions
Beef Cattle Publications, San Antonio/Fort Worth, TX
1981-Present Artist, Painter, Sculptor
Mike Tabor Studios, Granbury, TX
Teacher
2015-2021 Granbury High School, Granbury, TX
Fine Arts Department Head
1992-2021 Honors, Pre-AP, and Advanced Placement Art Teacher
Granbury High School, Granbury, TX
1978-1979 Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
Awards
2019 Texas A&M Chancellor Century Award, College Station
2016 Senate of the State of Texas Community Award
2016 US House of Representatives Congressional Recognition
2015 Distinguished Alumni Award, Tarleton State University
2015 Howard Clemmons Award, City of Granbury, TX
1996 People’s Choice, Bosque Conservatory
1991 George Phippen, Invitational Recipient, Prescott, AZ
Selected Collections
Tony Buzbee, Houston, TX
Mr. and Mrs. Luton, Granbury, TX
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
John Hancock Financial Museum, Boston, MA
City of Hopkinton, Hopkinton, MA
TD Gardens, Boston, MA
City of Granbury Convention Garden, Granbury, TX
Wood Logan Financial, Montecito, CA
Grady Spears, Fort Worth, TX
Massengill PC Incorporated, Dallas, Texas
Zu Zu’s, Austin, TX
Texas Worthington Renaissance, Fort Worth, TX
Santiago Energies, Oklahoma City, OK
Moorman Company, Quincy, IL
Icon Incorporated, Florida
First National Bank, Granbury, TX
David Smith Family Collection, Granbury, TX
Logan International Airport, Boston, MA
National Farm Life, Arlington, TX
Committees
2022 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Guns and Roses Art Committee
2022 Tarleton State Alumni Association Board Member
2021-present Granbury Arts Alliance Advisory Board Member
2021-present Reel Recovery
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I have been married to my beautiful wife Suzy for 41 years. I have two wonderful kids I am especially proud of, two very adorable grandkids, and one more on the way. My life is built around my family, my work, and this piece of ground the good Lord has blessed me with. I love working around the ranch with cattle, horses, dogs, and an occasional stray barn cat. I also enjoy hunting wild hogs. I live with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia and doing well. I am an avid fly fisherman; a Distinguished Alumni of Tarleton State University and I serve as a Board member at Tarleton State University Alumni Association. I also serve as a state coordinator for Reel Recovery. Reel Recovery is a national non-profit organization that conducts FREE fly-fishing retreats for men living with all forms of cancer. I serve on a couple of other boards, the Granbury Art Alliance Board of Directors and Shanley Park Board.
Contact Info:
- Email: miketaborstudio@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.miketaborstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miketaborstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikeTaborStudio
Image Credits
Elizabeth Simmons Tarleton photos
Kurt Mogonye
