Local Austin Artist

 

Ragan Gennusa was an acclaimed American artist known for his evocative paintings, particularly those depicting Texas Longhorn cattle. Born in Rosebud, Texas, in 1944, Gennusa grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, where he developed an early passion for art. He pursued this passion at the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1968.

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Throughout his career, Gennusa's artwork gained widespread recognition and acclaim. He was honored as the 1985-86 Texas State Artist by the State Legislature and received numerous awards, including the Stars of Texas Award from the Gillespie County Historical Society in 2005 and the John Ben Sheppard Jr. Award from the Texas Historical Foundation in 2006. His excellence in the field was further acknowledged with the Briscoe Museum Purchase Award in 2016 and the Briscoe Museum Patron’s Choice Award in 2017.

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Gennusa's paintings are held in private and corporate collections across the nation, including The Briscoe Western Art Museum, New York Life Insurance Company in New York City, and the national office of The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America in Ft. Worth. His work is also prominently displayed in the University of Texas Alumni Center, symbolizing the university's football program.

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Deeply inspired by the Texas Longhorn, Gennusa honored this iconic animal in much of his work, reflecting its historical significance to Texas. He owned longhorn cattle himself from 1984, further fueling his artistic inspiration.

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Gennusa resided in the hill country outside of Dripping Springs, Texas, in a house he built. He continued to create art, primarily working on commissions in a studio filled with the essence of the West, until his passing on August 13, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 76.