Local artist Larry Greer, of Frederick, held his special Christmas Showing, his "end of the year wrap up" Saturday evening at the Lois Long Youth Center in Frederick.

Greer seldom shows in his hometown, or even in Oklahoma, but he puts this annual showing on and during that four-hour period, all of his original paintings were marked down fifty percent.

There was a buffet provided with tidbits for every taste bud, and another buffet line of sweets. Punch and wine were also served.

Judge Clark Huey entertained throughout the night playing background music on the keyboard.

Greer and his wife, Dana, graduated from Frederick High School together in 1964.

They then married and away they went to college at Southwestern in Weatherford. There, Greer studied and received his degree in Art.

They moved to Yukon where Greer taught art and drama at the high school from 1969 to 1971.

"I decided you could starve to death doing that," said Greer, speaking of the teaching profession.

Greer was offered a lucrative job in San Francisco as an editor with the perks of a company car, an expense account and a profit sharing plan.

"But art is what I've always wanted to do," said Greer.

Greer decided to quit his job on his 30th birthday in 1976 and began painting full time as a career.

Yes, there were "a few times when I woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat," said Greer "after finishing a show in January and nothing else scheduled until March." Then he would think of all the perks he had given up to make his art career his living.

His first show was held in War Eagle, Ark., while he was still in college.

He and Dana's one and only child, a daughter named Adrienne, accompanied them at six weeks of age.

Adrienne continued to accompany them to the shows as she grew, even holding down the booth at one particular show when only 9-years old, as mom and dad stepped away to buy refreshments.

Upon their return, Greer found his daughter giving art lessons to a prospective buyer.

Is being an artist all it's cracked up to be? According to Greer, "I wouldn't work this hard for anyone else-- I wouldn't do this for a salary!"

Dana does all of the matting and framing of Greers art pieces.

"She's at least half of the business-- if not more," said Greer.

Her studio is directly across from his.

Greer no longer shows in galleries. He does do Art Festivals, to include the one in Oklahoma City.

Most of his shows are held in Florida, Michigan and Wisconsin.

All major shows during the winter months of January, February and March are held in Florida.

He used to rent a condo during those months and stay but now he and Dana make the drive back and forth.

Greer likes living in Frederick, his hometown. "Frederick's a great place to live -- we're in the middle of the country."

They can make the east or the west coast in a day-and-a-half by car.

The medias Greer works with are watercolor, mixed media, silverpoint drawing (few people are acquainted with this technique) and oils.

"Every art show is a competition," said Greer. "A show with 200 exhibitors may have 1200 applicants." He must send slides and resumes to be juried and voted on.

Daughter, Adrienne, owns a couple of his favorite pieces but as for Greer -- "My banker said I couldn't afford to keep any of my work," so he tries not to get attached to any particular piece.

Greer's will be holding a Holiday Open House Show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Red River Credit Union, 2721 N. Main in Altus.

There will be a display of classical figures of Santas, Angels and Southwest Landscape Prints. There will also be a Walk Down Memory Lane, which will feature new work in the old style. Patrons wil also be able to register for a Larry Greer Art Piece to be given away.