TWM: How and when did you start making art, and why do you continue to do so? Why is making art important to you?

Sarah Murrin: My parents are collectors so I grew up with paintings and various ethnographic collections in the house. There were also hundreds of books about every kind of art you can imagine: from Arctic art to South American feather work to American Impressionists; Northwest coast carvings to Calder to Warhol. Our family vacations always included museum visits and auction houses. My senior thesis at UT Austin Plan II was on the the phenomena of art collecting. I interviewed many collectors around Texas, including Alfred Glassell about his African Gold Collection now at MFA Houston, and Perry Bass about the Sid Richardson collection. So I guess it’s not surprising that I went into the art business after graduate school at SMU (MBA/MA in Art Management). I went to work for a gallery in NYC and in 1996 formed an art consulting company in Texas that specializes in placing fine art for private collectors and corporations. It wasn’t until my family and I moved to the ranch a few years ago that I started to create my own art. There was more time to reflect while being surrounded by nature. All the ideas had been percolating over my lifetime, and I think the exposure to such variety inspired me to create. Instagram was also a new inspiration because it was fascinating to see what other artists from all over the world were making. I started with collage, mainly from art auction catalogs, and that slowly morphed into drawing and painting. My favorite medium is gouache, and I love to experiment with the paint, putting it the sun or mixing materials. My friend Amanda Allison, who taught art at TCU, says to always ask “what if” when you’re experimenting with different mediums and techniques. I think that is where the true creativity comes from, when you don’t try to stay in the lines so to speak.

Cheryl Hodge: Good question! I’m not sure exactly when I started making art, but Mrs. Harrison’s 5^th grade art class comes to mind. Making art is always gratifying even when what’s in your head is not coming out of your hand.

TWM: Who or what are some of your influences and has that changed as you’ve evolved artistically?

Sarah Murrin: The vibrant colors of illuminated manuscripts, various designs in textiles from around the world, graphic design, Japanese woodblock priming, the work of Arthur Wesley Dow, Bonnard, William Morris and his English workshop—all of these are things that influence me when I draw and paint.

Cheryl Hodge: I’m influenced by everything… the color of asphalt, the plastic containers my contacts come in, the packaging that comes with online orders, and most especially Tide bottles that have been run through an extruder – it all has the potential to become art. It’s so cool.

TWM: What should we expect to see from you in the upcoming fall gallery night group show with the Fort Worth Women’s Art Circle, and is there a piece you’re most excited about or proud of? Tell us about it.

Sarah Murrin: I’ll include some of new pieces that are very loose and watery, for lack of a better term, and some small pieces that are more dense and very layered. And some large scale collage.

Cheryl Hodge: Hmm, I suppose I really like my recycled plastics. Remember that scene from The Graduate? “Plastics!”

TWM: Fort Worth has a rich history of supporting the arts and a strong presence in the global art world. Can you talk to us a little bit about what it’s like to be a local artist here?

Sarah Murrin: When I visit various cities for my art consulting business, people always know Fort Worth for the our connection to the West and the Stockyards and for our premier, first class Art Museums. It’s so unique to live in a city that prioritizes and makes accessible to the public art from all over the world and that stays current with artist from across the globe.

Cheryl Hodge: I’m actually better at buying art than I am at selling art. There are some fantastic artists in Fort Worth – Otis Jones to name one. I wish I had one of his pieces, he’s so dang talented.

TWM: Tell us a little bit about your inclusion in the Fort Worth Women’s Art Circle; what that means to you as a woman and as an artist.

Sarah Murrin: My husband’s aunt, Lia Cuilty, was part of the original Fort Worth Circle, so I had always heard about those artists and the show that the Harry Ransom Center at UT Austin and the Modern put on about their work. What I love most about our group is the way we encourage and support each other’s successes, the mentality that all boats rise when we work together. From our first impromptu lunch at the Modern, we each knew we were better together. It’s all been a very natural progression. We feel simpatico — we are moms, painters, and we are thankful to God that we found each other.

Cheryl Hodge: It has been my good fortune to be included in this exceptional group of talented women – thank you Ginger Walker, love my new buddies. I guess my favorite thing about being included in the Fort Worth Women’s Art Circle is that I get to sit back and absorb all of this marvelous creativity.

We cannot wait for Saturday, September 7, for Reflections! And we want to thank Waterside, Wild Acre Brewing Co, Orange Twist, and Clear Eye + Optical for hosting Reflections with us. To RSVP, click here.

The post Reflections: Sarah Murrin and Cheryl Hodge first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

I’m a big fan of restaurant and bar patios, largely for margarita-related reasons. I’m also a big fan of animals. But not every place welcomes our four-legged friends. Fortunately, Fort Worth is becoming ever more dog friendly. Here are my top picks for places to park your pooch while you enjoy a cold libation.

Newish Press Cafe offers healthy dishes that range from steak salad (my favorite) to award-winning burgers. A large, sprawling gravel patio comes with a variety of seating options and an unimpeded view of the Trinity River. The restaurant is a great way to end a run or bike ride along the river.

Just a short run (or jog) to the north, celebrity chef Tim Love’s Woodshed Smokehouse offers a smokin’ good time. At that stretch of the river, the Clear Fork branch swells into a placid swath of emerald water, draped by a wall of deciduous beauty. The floodplain also draws hundreds of waterfowl for a unique viewing experience.

If you haven’t been to HopFusion Brewing, then you’re missing out on one of the hottest new spots in town. Co-owners Matt Hill and Macy Moore have created a gem in the Near Southside. The industrial-chic brewery has a gorgeous outdoor deck with plenty of room for Fido to roam. Near the bar there’s even a doggy water bowl.

Following the beer theme, Wild Acre Brewing Company has one of the largest, if not the largest, seated outdoor patios of any local craft beer brewery. Beyond the rows of dozens of picnic tables (complete with shading umbrellas) is a large field. Rows of lush trees line the far side of the outdoor paradise. It’s a little patch of heaven in an otherwise urban area.

Brewed is the perfect spot to get your coffee/kombucha/beer/dinner/dessert fix. Did I mention they have wine? This Near Southside restaurant also has an idyllic brick patio that faces southward toward Fairmount National Historic District.

So there you are. Some great restaurants and bars with great patios that allow you to dine with Rover. This weekend is going to be nice, so why not take Prince and Lady out to lunch?

Edward Brown writes about music, arts and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and blogger for Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has published articles in Musical Opinion (U.K.), Canadian Music Educators Journal, and Clavier Companion,among others. When Brown isn’t writing about music, he’s actively involved in the local music scene as an educator, performer, lecturer, and judge for student music competitions. His professional affiliations include the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, where he volunteers as education director, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he serves on the board and artistic committee. Brown was born in Bowling Green, Ohio in 1982. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth. His favorite leisure time activities include local music concerts and perusing Fort Worth’s growing gastropub scene.

The post Dining with Man’s Best Friend first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

“I’d like a Bud Light,” the customer said.

“Sorry, the only light beer we have is a Rahr Blonde,” the waiter replied.

What? Oh, how the times have changed. Restaurants and bars across the country wouldn’t be revamping their beer menus if customers weren’t demanding it. My last blog post deciphered the myriad styles of beers. For the craft beer unwashed, I have a few pointers that will hopefully demystify the ever growing beer menus at restaurants and pubs.

As always, the first step is to relax. It’s more about the journey than the destination. Most of Fort Worth’s craft breweries, with the exception of Rahr & Sons, are less than four or five years old. The same goes for most North Texas breweries. The point is, most people, even the brewers, are new at this. That’s part of the fun. The worst thing that can happen is that you order a beer that doesn’t thrill you. Personally, I can’t remember a time I tried a brew that was so bad I didn’t drink it. And I usually try something new every time.

Use your words. It’s a familiar slogan for moms wrestling to get their young children to articulate what they want, and it’s good advice here. Don’t try to be fancy. Here’s an example:

“Um, I’d like something light that isn’t too bitter. I definitely don’t want one of those sour beers. The last time I was here I had a Rahr Blonde. Do you have anything like that?”

Already, you’ve eliminated 90 percent of the beer styles that you don’t like. Mentioning something that you enjoyed got you even closer to meeting your “favorite new beer.”

Become a brewery groupie. Most breweries rely on one or a small group of people to develop recipe ideas. So it’s no surprise that each business develops a distinct flavor profile that permeates its entire lineup. Craft beer fanatics often refer to their favorite breweries that can “do no wrong,” in their opinion. Martin House Brewing Company tends to make bold, experimental beers that are higher in alcohol content. So if you order something from Martin House, most of the time it’s going to be an experience, to say the least. Wild Acre Brewing Company makes a lot of great session beers with less alcohol that are clean and easy to drink. The Collective Brewing Company likes to delve into sours and funkier brett-aged suds, in general. After you had a few beers from each local brewery, you’ll probably find yourself leaning toward one or the other. So the next time you go to The Bearded Lady you can ask, “So, what do you have from [insert favorite brewery]?”

Lastly, when in doubt, get some advice from your waiter/waitress. And don’t stop exploring.

Did this article whet your appetite for good beer? Well, let me plug a fun event Tanglewood Moms writer Sarah Angle and I are cooking up:

Beer, Beards, and Beethoven.

Fort Worth’s venerable Chamber Music Society is getting into the craft beer movement. Wild Acre Brewing Company is the venue of choice for a not-to-be-missed music experience. From the Chamber Music Society:

The Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth believes classical music has a home wherever great music and appreciative audiences converge. For one night this fall, that home will be Wild Acre Brewing Company. The evening concert will be a fun, community-minded experience that will please lovers of great music and craft beer. The 30-minute program will feature popular classical music favorites as well as arrangements of popular songs. The event will be emceed by CMSFW artistic director Gary Levinson and conclude with a post concert “Schmooze and Brews” where you can mingle, meet the artists, and enjoy complimentary Wild Acre Brewing Company suds. A food truck (not complimentary) will be on site as well. Bring a date or grab your friends. This unique concert is one night only.

Tickets are $20 per individual or $30 for two and includes up to three pints of beer after the show. Guest artists will be announced soon. Reserve your spot on the event page.

Edward Brown writes about music, arts and news for a variety of publications. He’s an award-winning writer for the Fort Worth Weekly and blogger for Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau. He has published articles in Musical Opinion (U.K.), Canadian Music Educators Journal, and Clavier Companion,among others. When Brown isn’t writing about music, he’s actively involved in the local music scene as an educator, performer, lecturer, and judge for student music competitions. His professional affiliations include the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, where he volunteers as education director, and the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he serves on the board and artistic committee. Brown was born in Bowling Green, Ohio in 1982. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and currently resides in Fort Worth. His favorite leisure time activities include local music concerts and perusing Fort Worth’s growing gastropub scene.

The post Beer 101: How to Order Beer first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.