By Linda Kelsey-Jones
Special to the Record
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Ros Hill is the most seriously funny guy in San Marcos.
Ros Hill is, seriously, the funniest artist in San Marcos.
Hill paints African animals losing their stripes, cows that want to be whales and dinosaurs stepping in gum — and ever so much more. He is also very tall, which gives him the upper edge on interviewing giraffes.
"What's So Funny?" was selected as the July exhibit at the Walkers' Gallery at the San Marcos Activity Center to celebrate the publication of Hill's second book, Unexpected Tails, a compilation of many of his most whimsical African images. Sent to the publisher three years ago, the book itself has endured a most unexpected journey — one that included the tragic death of the publisher and subsequent bankruptcy of the company.
Thanks to the company's purchase by another publisher, Unexpected Tails has, at last, been printed and his first book, "Shamoo," is going into its second printing.
Senses of humor are unique to each individual, but according to experts, there are a few universal characteristics which, in all or in part, evoke laughter in some of the people most of the time. Among those characteristics are surprise, incongruity, absurdity and/or “getting it” — even if you can't explain what it is that you “get.”
Generally there is something 'fresh' in things that are funny. And, it seems, we think animals are often funny. The second featured artist in "What's So Funny?" is Chad Hopper. His cartoon-formatted, and very “fresh” "World Salad" watercolors, seen in numerous venues in Austin, also epitomize most of these traits (without animals). I have heard "I don't get this," by a few looking at his work; from others short bursts of laughter.
Supporting the featured artists are a wide range of funny images in a wide range of media from numerous local artists. The public is invited to a reception at the Activity Center, Friday, July 30, 5-7:30 p.m. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, laugh at a bit of entertainment, and get your own signed copy of Ros Hill's Unexpected Tails.
Art exhibits at the Walkers' Gallery are sponsored by the San Marcos Area Arts Council and the city of San Marcos with support from the San Marcos Arts Commission.
Editor’s Note: Ooops — this just in — the printers in China claim to have shipped (on a boat) the book to Australia — seriously. Ros will be at the reception and will sign things — and maybe Unexpected Tails will get there, too.
