Boerne Artisan Weldon Lister Wows the History Channel

Boerne, Texas artist partners with History Channel

Weldon Lister

“The Texas Renaissance Man of Engraving”

By: Gabriel Diego Delgado

Third generation engraver and small town artist using a century old carving technique just gained a new level of artistic credibility. Weldon E. Lister Jr. of Boerne, Texas, an internationally recognized ultra-baroque engraver of firearms, knives and jewelry and accomplished intaglio printmaker, is making friends in high places.

About half a year ago, his timeless and intriguing decorative aesthetic captured the attention of Hollywood. The History Channel contacted the Texas artist and commissioned him to create a series of embellished, engraved and artistic Texas emblems reminiscent of the Texas Rangers Badge for the "Texas Rising" event at the Alamo in San Antonio on Monday, May 18, 2015.

“Texas Rising” is a 10 hour television mini-series on the History Channel that premiered on May 25, 2015. “Texas Rising” begins at the Battle of the Alamo and chronicles the birth of the Texas Rangers. As a celebration of this miniseries, the History Channel wanted to do something special for all the people who were part of the concept, production, directorship, and corporate sponsorship of this television series. Lister saw it as an opportunity to thank those people who were instrumental in helping bring attention to Texas through this historic television series.

These unique awards were completely handmade by the artist. Each one started off as a 1/8" thick and 4" in diameter round solid sterling blank disc, intricately fabricated, cut, carved and engraved; complete with a grooved coin edge.

“The only power equipment I used was a drill press to make pilot holes for the jewelers saw. It was a lot of work especially considering there were one dozen of them,” says Lister.

“The engraving style I chose was based on what you'd see on vintage weapons from the mid 1800's….something that goes along with the theme of the Award.”

Look for more of Lister’s artwork on his website at www.weldonlister.com