Oklahoma's Own: Artist Captures The Faces Of Oklahoma

If Oklahoma had a Mount Rushmore, you'd probably think Will Rogers or Jim Thorpe would be immortalized in stone. Maybe even Mickey Mantle or one of our country music stars.

An Oklahoma artist has memorialized a number of well known Oklahomans, not in stone, but on canvas.

Jack Fowler knows a lot about many of Oklahoma's most familiar faces. He captures them on canvas.

"You're kind of taken aback, at how many really remarkable people come from this state. I had to pare my list down," Fowler said.

Fowler's exhibit of 21 paintings of famous Oklahomans is on display through the end of the year at the Canebrake outside of Wagoner.

Everyone from Roger Miller to Kevin Durant. Ballerinas to Barry Switzer. Patti Page to Pistol Pete.

"I have a lot of heroes in this state so it naturally kind of lent itself to my next exhibit," he said.

The exhibit includes past legends and living legends: paintings with personality.

His art career began by accident. Three years ago this Christmas season, his sister asked him to paint her a present. Fowler discovered he had a gift.

"I went out and bought some canvas and paint and started dabbling and now it's all I do. It's dumb luck, but I'm glad it happened,"

The former elementary school teacher was able to trade his chalk for a paintbrush, and with no formal art training he's now painting full time.

"My dad always told me growing up, if you find something you love to do, you'll never work a day in your life and that's what it feels like now," he said.

Fowler started with musicians and athletes. Then came the exhibit on Oklahomans.

"There's just something about Wanda Jackson's eyes I didn't want to miss," Jack Fowler said.

The first Oklahoman he painted was Woodie Guthrie... still his favorite. While some of his subjects are no longer with us, all are forever alive through his artwork and for people to admire.

Fowler also paints commissioned artwork. Some of his paintings of famous Oklahomans are still for sale at the exhibit at the Canebrake. You can also purchase prints.

Jack Fowler Art