Artists Edgar Sotelo and Tammie Bissett

Edgar Sotelo

I was born and raised in Old México and came to the states to go to college. My father was an artist and my grandfather was an artist. I remember sitting at the kitchen table as a 5 year-old kid sketching Cowboys and horses with my dad. At that early age, I started to show some talent. I have been developing that talent for the last 45 years. I did pencil drawings growing up. But my wife Michelle encouraged me to try oils in 1992. After I did, I fell in love with the medium!

Dr. Eleanor M. Green and Edgar Sotelo
Dr. Eleanor M. Green and Edgar Sotelo

We have three daughters; Alissa(18), Aleah (13), and Ava (11). They all show artistic talent. We have a small place outside of Sulphur Springs where my wife raises a few prospect performance quarter horses.

I feel that I am the luckiest man around because I get to do what I love to do. I am very passionate about my art. I love to paint anything that has to do with tradition. I like to paint what’s important to my collectors. I try to be true to my subject. I have to have a special connection with my subjects, because that will reflect the true character of the subject on the final piece. I am always fascinated by painting light and try to represent it through my own style.

I feel honored to be chosen to paint the centennial piece. Dr. Green had a vision to depict the past (tradition), the present, and what the new school will represent for future generations. I appreciated the thought behind it and the direction the selection committee wanted to take with the piece. It made it challenging, but with a lot of meaning!

I take commission work, and I welcome the opportunity to create a piece of art for new collectors. Some of my work hangs at the Texas A&M; University Equine Complex board room. And now, one of my best pieces is part of the permanent collection of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences in the Veterinary & Biomedical Education Complex. I am honored. Also, my oldest daughter is planning on attending Texas A&M; next year.

Tammie Bissett

Tammie Bissett and Dr. Eleanor M. Green
Tammie Bissett and Dr. Eleanor M. Green

I am originally from a small costal community near Port Lavaca, Texas. I married my high school sweetheart, Wesley T. Bissett, Jr. DVM, PhD, class of ’97. My days consist of designing-on paper, canvas or AutoCAD. I am an artist, a residential/commercial designer and general contractor. We live in College Station and have three amazing children that have wonderful spouses we claim as our own. Our daughter Whitney and her husband Kaleb Morton are the parents of our beautiful grandkids, Kaylynn and Karter(in the painting) of College Station. Our son, Wesley R. Bissett ’11 and his wife Terra (Hausenfluck) ’12 live in Portland, TX, and our son Landon Bissett and his wife Kaitlynn (Williams) live in College Station.

Like a runner that loves to run, I love the peaceful calmness within me when I paint. I always have music playing in the room as I paint, and I am mentally and physically in a wonderful place. I have always gravitated toward and strived to paint paintings that tell a story, that draw people into a world of their own. I credit God for giving me the talent I do have and my parents for letting me peruse my dreams.  I took art lessons from the age of 8-15 years old, then I stopped lessons because life took over. I painted commission pieces here and there as requested, but not until Wesley started vet school did I have the opportunity to paint full-time. I hope someday to be able to study under some of the greats-but until then, I am fortunate to have family and friends that can and will critique my paintings.

I was contacted by Dean Green a little over two years ago to kick around some ideas for the CVM centennial. She was already gearing up for this special occasion and had a vision of what she wanted. She gave me free reign to come up with a concept that I felt good about. My thoughts for this painting were to show something of the future in medicine and a piece of medical equipment that was suspended in mid air, only connected by the beam of light that you see shining from the ball while the veterinarian holds it close to the giraffe’s chest cavity and to her fingertip. My second thought was to show that anything was possible. So, I came up with the idea of a painting within a painting to give me the several layers I needed to tell my story. It is of two veterinarians making their after hour rounds, and they stepped into this painting bringing it to life as they check all the animals vitals, giving the animals a chance to play and stretch their legs and wings, whichever the case may be. This moment was unexpectedly caught by two children and their dog walking by. Capturing the compassion of all the animal groups toward one another and the wired hair dog was very important to me. Just like our veterinarians do everyday, they are showing compassion to all of our furry family friends. Every veterinarian should stand tall and proud because of everything they do and everything they accomplish in the animal and human health world. I am very proud to be married to one of them.

I have a very strong tie to this college, my husband is the class of 1997. We had the pleasure of going through vet school together with our three children. He was the student and we were his support system. Wesley is with the college now and is Director of the Texas A&M; Veterinary Emergency Team.

Anyone that would like to see some of Tammie’s artwork or any behind the scene pictures of this painting can go to Tammie Bissett or email tammie_bissett@yahoo.com. Tammie would love to hear from you or see pictures of anyone standing in front of any of the paintings or print.


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