The Oklahoma Today Home Gallery Tour

The Oklahoma Today staff have, like many Oklahomans, spent the past few months largely confined to our homes. We are an artsy bunch, always eager to head to our favorite galleries across the state for new exhibits, but with our excursions severely curtailed, we've been taking a closer look at the art we have at home. We'd like to share our collections with you.

Staff photographer Lori Duckworth

The Artist as a Lion

The Artist as a Lion by Justine N. Green

This is the first piece of art I bought for myself. I purchased it at Momentum Tulsa in 2009 for a ridiculously low price. It’s slightly creepy, and for some reason it reminds me of a stuffed animal I had as a child. I fell in love with is as soon as I saw it.

Big Thing in Little China

Big Thing in Little China by Trent Lawson

I commissioned this piece in 2015 as a wedding present for my husband. It combines my love of velvet paintings with his love of John Carpenter movies, and it is perfect in every way. It hangs in our living room above our television.

Web editor Greg Elwell

Oklahoma Cthulu

Oklahoma Cthulhu by Spencer Hicks

A long time back, Spencer Hicks and I did a not-great podcast together. I wouldn’t want to listen to a single episode ever again, but I did truly enjoy spending at least one night a week hanging out with my very good, very funny friend. Spencer is also an artist and I asked him to please put brush to canvas and create a painting of Cthulhu against the backdrop of the Oklahoma flag. It’s just one of my favorite reminders of an extremely talented guy I’m lucky enough to call friend.

The Thin Man

The Thin Man by Jack Fowler

Dashiell Hammett made a big impact on my life with his novels The Thin Man and Red Harvest, so much so that I ended up naming my son Dashiell. On those nights he and his sister are with his mother, I find myself staring at this commissioned piece from Jack Fowler, whose art always blows me away. At an odd moment in history when I had money and Jack needed work, I was overjoyed to get this representation of a noir classic in my own home. Like much of Jack’s art, this one eschews a lot of detail to create an impactful picture.

Catfish jaws

Catfish Jaws by J.J. Ritchey

Readers of Oklahoma Today are treated each issue to the wonderful art of J.J. Ritchey. While we sometimes bring in other illustrators for certain stories, we trust J.J. with most of the heavy lifting in recurring stories like “Street View,” “Out There,” and “Off the Map.” During our most recent Animal Issue, we had a wonderful story by Gordon Grice about man-eating catfish and J.J. illustrated this Jaws-like catfish for the magazine. I lobbied hard to make it the cover (though I’m quite pleased with Lori Duckworth’s winning shot of a cow in a flower crown) and asked J.J. after the fact if they would make a print of it for me. Their work always makes me smile, but none more than seeing an angler who’s about to get the catch of a lifetime.

Editor in Chief Nathan Gunter

Series of three Native American paintings

Series of three Native American paintings by Woody Big Bow

When I was young, my mom decided to return to college—she already had degrees in education and chemistry—to realize her long-time goal of becoming a pharmacist, a career from which she recently has retired. When she was in school, she did her professional practice internship at the Indian Health Service in Clinton, not far from our home in Weatherford. There, she struck up a friendship with the Kiowa artist Woody Big Bow, who pulled up to our house one day and gave her these works as a gift. When she moved into a new home a few years ago, I asked her where she wanted to hang them; she said I could take them if I wanted, and I'm proud to care for them now. I've looked at them since I was a kid and am delighted to have them in my home. And just as a note: Below them you can see a painted skull by Oklahoma City artist Amanda Zoey Weathers, a painted cigar box by Oklahoma City artist Clint Stone, and a painted urn titled Aerial View by Daniel German, which I bought at a Panhandle State University student art show in the Paseo Arts District many years ago.

Dinosaur painting

Dinosaur painting by Holt Pagano

This painting hangs above the desk in my home office, a combination of two things I adore: dinosaurs and bright, vibrant hues of blue. The piece is by Tulsa artist Holt Pagano, and I bought it many years ago from Mary Beth Babcock, who is the owner of Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Rt. 66 in Tulsa. Mary Beth is a brilliant and steadfast supporter of the arts in Oklahoma, and I'm tempted, every time I'm in her store, to load up on works by Okie creatives.

Tiny picture in frame

Tiny picture in frame

This one-inch tourist-photo-in-a-frame makes me smile every time I see it. In the fall of 2000, my junior year of college, I studied abroad for a semester in Venice, Italy, where I met and volunteered with a nun named Suora Luisa. Suora Luisa ran a sort of after-school camp for kids, and through my broken Italian, she and I talked at length about God, food, and any number of other things. When I was about to leave that December, Suora Luisa gave me this tiny frame as a gift; it hangs directly beneath the wooden San Damiano crucifix I picked up that same year in Assisi, where I went hoping to meet the spirit of St. Francis but instead ran into an army of ants that infested every surface of the cheap caravan I rented to sleep in (but that's a story for another time).

Summer intern Haley Humphrey

Speedex camera

Speedex camera

I bought this tiny camera, complete with a leather case and film, from an antique shop on Tenth Street. While for the life of me, I cannot remember the exact name of the shop (my apologies), I do remember that it was by the strip of antique shops along northwest Tenth Street. I also remember the man who sold it to me. He told me it was used by a spy in the CIA a long time ago. Whether that is true or not, I love my tiny camera all the same, because it sparked my journey of collecting old cameras and learning about their history

Chessboard

Chessboard

This black and gray marble chessboard is a staple in my room. It found a place in my home after I purchased it from another antique shop on Tenth Street, I believe it was Ancient of Days Antiques. I had never seen a marble chessboard and pieces before, so its beauty enraptured me. My family members knew how to play chess already, but I learned on this board. Hopefully, it will be a staple in my family for a long time.

Research editor Kashea McCowan

Candles

Soap

Homemade soap and candles by Kashea McCowan

Soap is a necessity for everyone, but for my family, items made of all-natural ingredients were of upmost importance. What started out as a way to fulfill my family's skin ailment needs quickly turned into a hobby, which then turned into a small business—Herban Root Apothecary. And now, not only do I make soap for family and friends, but I have loyal customers who not only shop for these herbal goodies, but also body butter, infused body oils, and beeswax candles.

Paris and London

Paris and London by Heather Boykin and Kashea McCowan

In no way, form, or fashion do my sister and I consider ourselves artists. But two years after I moved to Oklahoma City, we thought we would try our hand at it, and what better way is there to learn than to join a painting class that involves sipping on tasty beverages? It was one of the best nights we had. I still have these hanging in my guest room—the room she sleeps in when she visits—just to remind us both of the time we ventured into our own little worlds, painting, sipping, and dreaming together in Oklahoma.

Publisher Colleen McIntyre

Untitled

Untitled by Ian McIntyre

My son Ian painted this for me when he was in fifth grade. He knows I like stormy nights, so he created his art assignment with me in mind. So, so sweet! It's hanging in my home office and always reminds me that the freedom of a child's mind can produce amazing work.

Rock/Wood piece

Rock/Wood piece

My grandmother kept this on her coffee table for as long as I can remember. I inherited it from her when she passed away two years ago. I've always been drawn to this piece because it's art made from natural objects and it reminds me of my connection to earth.

Goblet

Goblet

John and I bought this at an antique store near a state park on one of our anniversary trips. I know it was made by an Oklahoma artist although I can't remember who. It always spoke to my Irish heritage, although I don't know why, and it lives on my bookshelf with my books about Irish-Celtic heritage.

Photo editor Megan Rossman

Vintage piggy bank

Vintage piggy bank

I purchased this little pig bank at Good Mischief in Tulsa this February, which is a cool store that sells bones, crystals, and a lot of vintage pieces. I was inexplicably drawn to the pig, and I told a friend I was with, “I think this pig is my spirit animal.” He looks like he's got a pretty good secret, like he's seen some things. The morning after I bought him, I woke up in a Tulsa Airbnb with an infection in my left eye. I was making the same expression as the pig for days afterward. His winking left eye, once was playful and mischievous, now seemed smug and mocking. I keep him on a shelf in my living room and regard him with suspicion.

Cream Dream

Cream Dream by anonymous

An old friend of mine made this for me more than a decade ago because I love Prince. It's titled Cream Dream, in reference to his 1993 hit song “Cream” and the fact that I uploaded a video to YouTube of my aforementioned friend dancing to the song while drunkenly and emphatically waving a burrito. The video was deleted, but the memory lives on. As you can see, some of its embellishments are falling off, but I still love it. Prince was a magic man.

Assorted skulls and bones

Assortment of skulls and bones

I seem to be accumulating a bone collection on my mantel. I have skulls from various animals that people have given me. I don't know where one of them came from, and I don't know why people think of me when they see animal skulls, but I'm glad they do. It's starting to get pretty creepy though.

Dragon apron

Dragon apron by Megan Rossman

I painted this apron at a Christmas party at my now sister-in-law's house in college. It hangs in my kitchen, and although I have never worn it to do anything, it is splattered with food. If I ever host a barbecue, I plan to wear it. To me, every shirt is an apron, so I don't have much use for this. I've never seen a dragon on one though, so I'm hanging on to it.

Production manager Bridgette Slone

Moon Goddess corset

Moon Goddess by Nicole Moan

I purchased this wearable ceramic corset from Oklahoma artist Nicole Moan because it immediately spoke to me. It fits me like a glove and makes me feel like a gorgeous goddess.

Elder Futhark Rune plaques

Elder Futhark Rune plaques by The Wood Butcher

All of these are different species of wood to reflect the rune inscribed. These are the first of three of the eventual set of twenty-four. Jesse, my husband, made these for me as gifts to be used similarly to tarot cards. I love them because of the time and though he put into creating them.

Soul painting

My custom soul painting by Tammy Conover

This painting depicts the color and energy of my soul. Tammy consults spirit guides prior to painting and provides detailed written messages she channels while she paints. I ended up with something like twenty-four pages of her notes. I discovered after the experience, the colors she used were very similar to my winds tattoo, which she was not aware of beforehand.

Circulation manager Camille Wallace

Untitled

Untitled by Juan Crosby

This was painted by someone that holds a piece of my heart. I love it because of that. To me, it represents emergence, something beautiful coming out of the darkness.

The Lady

The Lady by unknown

I have had The Lady for eight years. When I look at her I see peace, self-love, and freedom. I believe I bought her at Corner Store, which sells everything: beds, furniture, food, beauty supplies, household goods, everything.

Managing editor Karlie Ybarra

Untitled

Untitled by Endangered Ark Foundation elephant

Oklahoma Today provides me with so many amazing opportunities, and writing about the Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo (endangeredarkfoundation.org) was one of the closest to my heart. Home to North America’s second largest heard of Asian elephants, this organization provides comfortable homes for retired circus performers and helps educate the public about the plight of pachyderms in the wild. As part of their enrichment program, the sanctuary lets elephants express themselves creatively, and this painting came from one of those sessions. I love art featuring animals, but art by animals that also helps them is even better.

Desert Huntsman

Desert Huntsman by Erin Curry

I’ve followed Erin Curry on Instagram (@erincurry86) for years, so I was so excited to purchase one of her paintings at the Oklahoma Arts Festival last year. Through her work, you can tell Erin has a deep reverence for nature and animals, something that I share. Also, I will never get tired of staring at beautiful birds all day long.

Three cacti

Three cacti by Melissa Ybarra

My sister-in-law, Melissa Ybarra, is not only a really great human but an excellent artist and crafter as well. She made these cacti by hand for her company Iza Pearl and gave these three to me as a Christmas present. Since I have a hard time keeping green things alive, they bring some life into our living room. They are also way cozier than the real thing.

Written By

Karlie Ybarra

Managing editor Karlie Ybarra loves to explore her home state—and meet many of its animal citizens—any chance she gets.