Photographer and artist Joey Quiroga explores the beauty of the upper Texas coast

Artwork by Joey Quiroga

John Wayne was born in Iowa. But he so embodied a Lone Star state sensibility, Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015 issued a proclamation declaring the iconic star an honorary Texan.

“The Duke’s independent spirit embodies what it means to be a Texan and personifies the storied history of the Lone Star State,” Abbott said at the time.

Texas was always an important place to Wayne, said Ethan Wayne, son of the legendary icon, at the time of the proclamation.

“He starred, directed and produced one of his most distinguishing films, “The Alamo,” and told stories of how he felt it could have been his second home,” Ethan Wayne said. “The culture of the state and the strong pride of this American community reflects the spirit of John Wayne himself.”

Wayne also was known to seek solace by retreating to a vacation house in Freeport, where it’s said he enjoyed good hunting and fishing in and around the marshy area between the Gulf of Mexico and the International Waterway.

But earning him his true Texas bonafides was his love of good barbecue. There’s even a book, “The Official John Wayne Way to Barbecue,” which contains more than 100 of his barbecue recipes.