Owner focuses on artistic approach to monuments

Growing up around a family of artists and art educators greatly influenced Gilbert Beall's work.

The owner of Beall Memorial Art on North Lamar Boulevard said he draws from that influence for each monument, sculpture and headstone he creates.

"With textures and different fonts and little elements on the stone, you can really make something that's an art piece," Beall said. "It's like making big jewelry."

Perfection is a must for Beall, who said he will tear down a sculpture and start from scratch if he is unhappy with the work.

"Where I'm different than a lot of other sculptors is that they tell you this is what you've ordered, whereas when I make a sculpture, I make sure it looks like you," he said.

Among his most recognized work is the headstone of Darrell K. Royal, former University of Texas head football coach. Also, as part of a state-commissioned project, he is working on a bust sculpture of Jose Antonio Navarro, an early advocate of Texas independence. In addition, he was hired to complete a memorial sculpture of Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy SEAL sniper who died in February 2013.

"Of all the projects I've worked on, people leave flowers on his headstone," Beall said. "He's really caught the public's imagination."

Kyle is buried at the Texas State Cemetery, in which Beall has designed too many headstones to count—anywhere between 50 and 100, he said. Once complete, the sculpture will include a bronze cast of the hands of Kyle's wife, son and daughter.

Beall Memorial Art, 4004 N. Lamar Blvd., 512-380-9889, www.beallart.com