Sleepy Read – Complete Artist

By Roberta Mallard

Special to Burleson-Crowley-Cleburne UpClose

The most remarkable thing about Sleepy Read is not his age, or his stately stature, or his quick smile. The most remarkable thing about him is his consistent talent, the range of his ability as an artist, his charming humility and his healthy sense of humor.

Surrounded by his work – a large portrait of John Wayne, several florals done with a palate knife, a traditional bluebonnet and an impressive landscape in every style and medium possible, Read sits in his brother and sister’s Keene real estate office to allow how it all began.

He offers a huge hand, conventionally shaking hands and then adding a thumb-shake for a friendlier greeting.

Born around 1920 in Lufkin, Texas to parents Ella and Delbert, Delbert Jr., or Sleepy as he was later called, was raised on a farm with five brothers and sisters. His dad was an auto mechanic and played the guitar and sang.

"Folk songs, mostly," said Read. "Those songs told stories."

He described how the family would have watermelon and homemade ice cream parties while his mother and father sang duets.

Read said, "Things were simple. Everyone had a garden and a cow back then. From Dad I learned honesty and integrity. We were a Christian family."

He graduated from Lufkin High School, worked in a machine shop by day and ran the projector at the movie house at night.

"And I still had time to paint," said Read.

Read’s big break came quite by accident. He had spent most of his life as a sheet metal worker, dabbling in art until the Hemisfair opened in San Antonio in 1968 – that’s when everything changed. Recovering from some surgery, Read took an easel, some canvases and paint and started painting some of the scenes at the fair.

"I made more money selling paintings than with sheet metal," said Read who switched careers.

His sister, Betty Price, poked her head in offering cookies and described another dimension to her brother’s life.

"He is benevolent, honest and generous," said Price. "He has given more than 100 paintings to charities and raising thousands for them."

Along the way, Read married and had two sons, Stylle and Martin. Both paint – Stylle Read is a well-known muralist; for example, the mural in Wright Plaza in Cleburne is his work. Martin paints as a hobby.

Martin Read stopped by to say "Hi" to his dad.

"I learned a lot from Dad – to be consistent. No matter what the weather, do something constructive every day."

Sleepy, at 88, still paints everyday, completing at least two paintings each week.

"I have to keep two or three things going at a time or I get bored."

He believes everyone can appreciate art, especially abstracts and said that as you look at an abstract you constantly see something new.

While most artists restrict themselves to one style, Read has the rare ability to paint portraits, landscapes, and abstracts and collages. He is adept at brush or palette knife. His consistently good work is hung in homes and collections across the country.

Read believes in the basics of painting.

"You have to pay attention to light and shadow, have a focal point and balance. Painting keeps you sane but you have to be a little bit crazy."

Read said, "Painting is a gift. I am blessed, but I don’t know why."

Perhaps his gift is a result of his persistence or his sensitivity. Perhaps it’s his philosophy which is intertwined with his faith—to live by the golden rule with a few more layers:

"You should examine yourself every once in a while to see if you’re doing the right thing. Think about what you’re going to say before you say it. Have patience and don’t make hasty decisions," Read said.

Sleepy Read is remarkable, a very talented man, self-aware, very approachable and generous in heart and mind—in other words, an artist.

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