Sales assistance, please contact the artist, J Howard, at (281)-236-3821 or
For additional information, please contact The Nave Museum at or call (361) 575-8228.
All About the Brand
To catch what is at the end of the line and make it your own is exciting. Branding is vital in the success of identifying value. Roping one by one. We are all branded by the Love of God with value. – JHoward
All In
As water is essential to our very existence, the symbolism of water is far-reaching and profoundly deep. The wisdom of water is infinite and you will find that if you are “all in”, investing the time meditating and contemplating its vastness, the blessings bestowed are enlightening. - JHoward
Be Like Daniel
Life is all around us and consumes us. At times, it is if we are in too deep. God could have kept Daniel from being faced by a lion. But God never promised to keep us out of the deep where we are faced with challenges. He promises to help us to the surface again safely. When you are surrounded by life and faced with a lion, be like Daniel. - JHoward
Beyond the Wire
Oh, to long for what is beyond the wire. To see the joy of the ride and to stand tall with your rider. For the eye of the horse sees more than the obvious and looks deep into the soul. – JHoward
Born to Run
Look back at our struggle for freedom. Trace our present day’s strength to its source and you will find that man’s pathway to glory is strewn with the bones of the horse. For they ran this land before us and they have carried us in life and in death. A mighty animal intuitive and brave forever born to run. - JHoward
Bovine Perspective
A cow studies humans all day with a unique sense of their surroundings. We depend on cows for a great deal. As humans, we should be more like cows in that we should always be aware of what we have been given by God and forever be thankful. – JHoward
Boys Let's Ride
Oh Lord, we don’t reckon we are much. We fail at a lot of things we should do, yet you forgive us. But when we ride, we wait to hear you say “Come on boys, lets ride.” – JHoward
Breathe
Breathe, and have faith that everything will work out for the best because your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life.- JHoward
Chapped
Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith in your own God-given abilities. Remain faithful in something as small as staying afloat because it is in the smallest of things that your strength lies. – JHoward
Dream Job
A cowboy’s dream is to make a real name within the passion of the ride. To share his God-given talents with others. To experience the thrill of a full 8 seconds. To only throw his hands up when the rope is tied. – JHoward
Drinking Time
As you take a break from the moments of each day, may you enjoy the gifts and beauty of God’s creations. Drink up life and reflect on how you are blessed. – JHoward
Driving Home in Hats
No hour is wasted that is spent in the saddle. No drive is complete without following the trail of hats before us. When the drive home brings along the lost, the drive is that much better. – JHoward
Eagle's Prayer
I call to those who went before me for guidance to travel on this day’s path. I ask those who are yet to come what this day holds for me. Of Eagle and Man is what I seek. I ask for the Eagle to be at one with the Man and for the Man to walk beside the Eagle. Go forth with Courage. – American Indian Folklore
Faith Anchored
The Texas oilfield industry, as well as ranching and farming, requires a great deal of faith in determining where and how to construct for success. A tool called a “come along” is an anchor-shaped winch that crawls along a chain. Our lives are much like a “come along” and, in my opinion, many of us crawl along a chain that binds us to nothing more than our faith. - JHoward
Festival
Each day should be a celebration in living color, never concerned with anything more than the words spoken in celebration of life. For after a rain, we are blessed with the rainbow which is a promise from God and a reason for a festival. - JHoward
For the Buckle
Having that dream job really comes down to your personal philosophy. Play it safe? Just be good at something? Or do you want to wear that buckle that says you are great? – JHoward
Gold Coast
California is the birthplace of the historic gold rush of the 1800’s, as miles of the Pacific coastline border it to the west. But even today, as the sun sets, the shorelines glisten and glimmer with golden lights of blessings. - JHoward
Wash away any identity which colors your view of how and why we were all created. See past color into the hearts and minds of humanity and act on love. – JHoward
Wash away any identity which colors your view of how and why we were all created. See past color into the hearts and minds of humanity and act on love. – JHoward
Having the Right Tools
No matter what you choose to do in life, always make sure to have the right tools. For God gives each of us talents we are to cultivate into strengths. – JHoward
I Am Here, I Am
To run with the wolf is to run in the shadows, the dark ray of life, survival and instinct. A fierceness that is both proud and lonely, a hunger and thirst. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness sake for they shall find strength.” A strength that would die fighting, kicking, screaming, and would not stop through faith. The will to take one’s place in the world. To say “I am here.” To say “I am.” – (Inspired by O.R. Meling)
Ideas of Life 1-3
The lightbulb has long been a symbol of an idea. An idea can go left, it can go right, or it can be dead center and spot on from the very start. But every great idea follows the same path beyond the blurs of distraction and lit from within. – JHoward
In a Moment of Joy
Joy is that special element that gives texture and flavor to our daily life. It quenches a real thirst for living. Without it, we are left with closed hearts and minds. But if we let it trickle, while we savor every second, we are able to soak in the pure essence of real joy. – JHoward
Industrialization of the Old West
Frontier history tells the story of the creation and defense of communities, the use of the land, the development of markets, and the formation of states. It is a tale of conquest, but also one of survival, persistence, and the merging of peoples and cultures that gave birth and continuing life to America. – JHoward
Innocence
My whole life is mine to remain innocent of the darkness, but whoever says so will deprive me, for it is infinite. The droplets of water, the shade of the sky are mine. Still the same, and it is my life. - JHoward
Keeping Life Secrets
And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you; for the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. And when, at last, you find someone to whom you feel you can trust to come up from beneath, you stop in shock at the words you utter. They are so meaningless and feeble from being kept submerged inside you for so long. – JHoward
Leaving an Impression
For all things are possible, so, remember to make an impression that shines a light of blessings in the accomplishments of your life. For it is only in the fear that makes anything impossible. - JHoward
Life on Faith
Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith in your own God-given abilities. Remain faithful in something as small as staying afloat because it is in the smallest of things that your strength lies. – JHoward
Lost
You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions. Life is fluid and keeps precious moments in motion as the memories of regret settled. - JHoward
Memories of Corral Club
Memories at the corral, gathering like a special club, reminds me that is in the gathering that is most important. Whether hanging on a fence or sitting around the dinner table, it’s being all together making memories that is special. – JHoward
Men At Work
To stand with the men at work gives way to opportunities of storytelling and “one up-ins” that only the cowboy would delight. With tools in hand or hanging near, the cowboy shares along the fence line. – JHoward
My Color is Life
Wash away any identity which colors your view of how and why we were all created. See past color into the hearts and minds of humanity and act on love. – JHoward
On the Road Again
“Just can’t wait to get on the road again.” A wonderful song expressing the spirit of being on the move. When a cowboy feels alive moving the herd down the trail to a destination ahead. Be the cowboy of your own destiny. For all roads lead somewhere if we only keep the faith. – JHoward
On the Ropes
The saying “on the ropes” refers to uncertainty. Of the possibility of giving up. Wake up with a smile knowing that on this day there will be certainty of victory in something others were afraid to lasso. – JHoward
Out By Eleven Thirty
The Old West comes alive everyday at the Fort Worth Stockyards, the world’s only twice daily cattle drive. To know the life of a cowboy, the importance of the drive, is insight to the hard work, sweat and perseverance that has no boundaries but those personally instilled within the cowboy spirit. – JHoward
Peace Like A River for My Texas Soul
For thus says the Lord, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river. And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream.” There is a peace here in Texas, and I believe that the people who are born here breathe that peace into their soul. They dream big dreams, think big thoughts, and have big faith because there is nothing that holds them back from it. It’s that peace that flows freely like a river.
Read My Lips
Stay true to yourself and always be open to learn. Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential and work hard to communicate your passion. Even when you feel no one is understanding, look past the situational blur and speak clearly. For nothing is impossible. -
JHoward
JHoward
Rippling Affect
“Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash and it is gone. And left to follow, the rippling that circles on and on. They spread from the center and flow to the sea with no telling where they are going. Through the ‘ripples’ of life, are you defined and consumed beneath the influence, or do you allow yourself simply to reflect?” - Unknown
Rise Up
Today . . . if anything is trying to hold you back, give no attention to it. Get your hopes up, get your faith up, look up, and get ready to rise up . . . for nothing is impossible with God. – JHoward
Surrender
The keys to patience are acceptance and surrendering to faith. Accept things as they are, and look realistically at the world around you. Have faith in yourself and in the direction God has chosen for you and let Him lead. - JHoward
The Colors of Self
This piece was created to stimulate a more conscious look at how colors that we are attracted to define who and what we are. Take the quiz and see for yourself. - JHoward
The Depths of Faith in Things Unseen
Faith is the assurance of things not seen. For if I have a faith that is deep, I have a window of confidence in what God makes evident. - JHoward
The Texas Dollar
“Common as cornbread.” “Old as dirt.” “Funny as all get out.” These homespun expressions link modern-day Texans to our rural and agricultural history, conveying the resolute spirit and plain spoken humor of our heroes and pioneers. The “almighty dollar” and “nothing but green” were never a reference to the despicable dollar weed of this great state. I do find it a good example of God’s sense of humor. - JHoward
The Way of Faith
Faith is unseen but felt, like the waters that caress you. Faith is strength when we feel we have none and hope when all seems lost. Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into light. - JHoward
Think Bold
In the spirit of the ride is the true spirit of the animal. Thoughts of being bold and fearless. For the animal knows your thoughts and rises up to the occasion. – JHoward
Thoughts of the Boy
A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way. For fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man. It is not something biological, but something truly Divine. – JHoward
Trohpies
Trophies are like crowns that grew beyond the body. We collect such things that take on spirituality and a sacredness. Trophies of the magic and beauty of God’s creation. – JHoward
Trusting
Slow me down Lord by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Bless me, even in the confusion of the day, with the calmness that trust brings. Trust that breaks the tension with soothing touches of living water. – JHoward
Vibrant Life
The color red has always been a symbol of vibrancy and passion. Water a symbol of life. So live red . . .and drink in the life you were meant to have. – JHoward
Visions of a Heritage
American Indian folklore tells of a 9-year-old boy’s dream of a powerful vision. A heritage spanning across 5 generations with the eyes of a great chief. His name was Blackhawk. – JHoward
When Enough is Enough
Part of being a winner is knowing when enough is enough. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and remain faithful, moving on into the light. Life can be overwhelming if we let ourselves drown. - JHoward
Yellow Rose of Texas
During the early years of the twentieth century, a back-to-nature movement swept Germany. Artist Franca Marc found this nature-oriented quest for spiritual redemption inspiring. His vision of nature was pantheistic; he believed that animals possessed a certain godliness that men had since lost. For Marc, different hues evoked gender stereotypes and yellow was a gentle, cheerful and sensual color, symbolizing femininity. The frolicking yellow cow is his symbol of the female principle. For Texas women, “Yellow Rose of Texas” speaks for herself. - JHoward