COUNTY LIFE
2007 major life change helped fuel western artist’s passion to create
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
In 2007 Randy Meador made what he calls a “terrible career decision” selling his successful internet marketing business; however, it was a leap of faith that led him down a path to find not only success as a painter but to find the person he feels he was meant to be.
Some 15 years later the 63-year-old Meador sees everything as an opportunity “to create,” which is his true passion whether it is on canvas, in music or on the written page. Today, he asks himself, “Can I …?” leaving the options wide open.
Meador has lived in Saint Jo the past five years, after purchasing an 1897 home where he and wife Michele live after moving from Fort Worth. He had no idea the history of the house would create something of a full circle for him he would not learn until later. In October, Meador closed his third solo show, “Values of the West” at the Davis & Blevins Gallery in Saint Jo.
“All my career choices before I became an artist were because I didn’t want to be poor. I had no intention of doing art, although with a music degree options are musician, teacher or band director,” recalls Meador.
Business appeared to be his niché although he never felt suited for it. Meador started the first online drug store in 1997. The internet was still young so he thought he would ramp it up and sell it, like so many others were doing.
In the process he learned how to market business on the internet. He surrounded himself with “smart people,” who he turned loose for them to reap the benefit.
“We were able to market for some big companies who were late to the party and didn’t know what the internet was. It was pretty easy back then because no one knew how to do anything with it,” explains Meador.
He and Michele raised five children during this period and while his business thrived he wasn’t happy and needed an escape. Meador heard a Winston Churchill quote, “When I paint nothing else exist.” He wanted to go to that place.
One night he picked up some painting supplies and began to teach himself how to paint. He chose watercolors because he thought it was the easiest, but soon found it was the hardest.
“I just played with it each night about an hour. I was having fun. I started studying the top artists and when I traveled I would seek out their art to pick it apart and learn. By the time I became an artist full-time I had developed a bit of a name for myself in the small world of watercolors,” said Meador.
Read the full feature in the weekend Bowie News.
Take time to remember all those who gave all for our freedoms in America. The Bowie News staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday day weekend this Memorial Day. The News office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
AUSTIN – With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer boating season, Texas Game Wardens are preparing for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year and reminding Texans and visitors alike to put safety first before heading out on the water.
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Texas Game Wardens also made 223 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests last year.
“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”
Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.
- Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.
- Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.
- Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
- Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Leave a float plan with someone you trust.
- Don’t overload your boat.
“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”
Renting a Boat or Personal Watercraft
If you plan to rent a boat or personal watercraft, choose a licensed vessel livery (a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit).
By law, vessel liveries must provide all required safety equipment, explain how to operate the vessel, review applicable boating laws and have the operator sign a form acknowledging they received this information. They are also required to carry liability insurance.
Before leaving the dock, renters should make sure the vessel has enough life jackets for everyone on board and that they understand basic operating rules, including those specific to personal watercraft.
Personal Watercraft Safety
Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are subject to special laws in Texas. Operators and passengers must always wear a life jacket, the operator must use the engine cut-off switch, and these vessels may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Operators must also stay at least 50 feet from other vessels, people and the shore unless traveling at headway speed.
“Whether you’re launching your own boat or renting one for the day, take the time to understand the rules and make safety part of your plan,” said VanderRoest. “If you take safety seriously from the start, you’re far less likely to need help later.”
For more information about boating laws, required equipment and boater education courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program at tpwd.texas.gov/boatereducation.
Starting at noon on May 25 at The V (VFW) in Nocona there will be a program for the Memorial Day featuring speakers, cannons and a rifle team.
There will be a Memorial Day Celebration Dinner at 5 p.m. on May 25 at the Nocona Senior Citizens Center (Carpenter Shop).
Call for reservations at 940-825-3148. The meal will include barbecue ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and ice team. Adults are $10 and children $5.
Proceeds benefit the senior center and the Meals on Wheels program at Nocona.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News