ABOUT OUR FEATURED ARTIST: ODIE WALLACE

“Art is a constant presence in my life, no matter where I find myself. Its beginnings are fundamental to 

my journey.  I was born in Houston, Texas, on June 12, 1990, into a loving home. That love fostered a continuous support for my personal creative expression from a young age, particularly in drawing. 

I would lose myself in endless scribbles, crafting homes, dragons to soar on, cars to drive, and robots to battle for me. I vividly remember my father drawing, with his completed works adorning the walls of 

our various homes. Although it wasn’t his profession, to me, it was one of the most wonderful 

things anyone could do. 

When I turned five, my parents enrolled me in an art class. Looking back, I realize I may not have been ready for such an advanced setting, but it was there that I first glimpsed what I might aspire to be in the future. As I grew older, we moved further south to Harlingen, Texas. During that time, my school notes and textbook bindings became canvases for my creative pursuits. I even sold the occasional Spider-Man sketch to classmates for about fifty cents! Eventually, I found my way into another art class, which became pivotal in my artistic journey. My art teacher, Olga Sanchez, had a profound influence on me during middle school. She taught me that with the right perspective on light and color, you can create anything. Her lesson to always recognize the source of light and to look beyond the initial colors has stayed with me throughout my life. This lesson continues to be a guiding principle in my work. While my artistic aspirations ebbed and flowed, they never truly disappeared. 

Another art form soon took center stage in my life: music. I’ll touch on this briefly, but know that my study of music runs as deep as my love for art. Music became my primary passion and drove me through grade school and beyond. The years that followed were filled with youthful enthusiasm, love and loss, and the ups and downs of life. 

Today, I am a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and teacher. My musical passion grew alongside my artistic pursuits, fueled by my fascination with DCI, jazz, and rock music. From my early days of exploring percussion in marching and concert bands to self-taught guitar inspired by my grandfather’s blues sessions in Mississippi, I eventually attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, where I studied bass and percussion performance. 

Currently, I lead and support performance groups across Texas for various venues and events. Regardless of the setting, I strive to remain adaptable, focusing on improvisation as my primary means of musical expression. This practice connects back to art and underpins the abstract nature of my watercolor pieces. I find solace in the chaotic yet refined expression of whatever I’m painting at the moment, exploring color play with a storied form shaped by my passion for harmony. 

Through music and art, I’ve had the privilege of working with and learning from incredible individuals and organizations throughout my life and career. I’m always eager for new and exciting experiences! 

This enthusiasm brings me to the wonderful opportunity with the Greller Gallery, where I present my exclusive watercolor series titled “Songs You See.” This series originated from a spontaneous painting of a lone cardinal I created for my wife in memory of her late grandfather. That piece led to a commission from my sister, which ultimately brought me to this point. While realistic life forms were never my strong suit, I always recalled Mrs. Sanchez’s teachings about light and color. Birds have long captivated me, often leading to deep reflection and nostalgia. Other species intrigue me as well, but birds hold a special place in my heart symbolically. 

I am truly grateful for the chance to share my bird-themed watercolors at the Greller Gallery. My hope is that within this series, you find moments of connection with nature and a sense of belonging, awareness, and understanding. Can you see the song of a bird as clearly as you can hear it? What thoughts or messages might they be conveying?”  -Odie