I am an artist who is also a singer, songwriter, and award-winning writer and producer in the entertainment industry. I love the canvas because to me it represents a clean slate for inner expression.
I work with acrylics, oils, or gouache and create works pulled from emotions and thoughts from my love of the world we live on and the Universe we live within.
I believe the Universe is an ever-expanding colorful force of life and I try to allow the thoughts and feelings of mindful, passionate creativity to flow into my canvases. While visiting my gallery at First Saturday Arts Market or my online profile, I hope that you can sit, breathe, look at my paintings and see what emotions/moods it inspires in you.
Tim landed at the market in June 2012 and I remember him telling me he’d left his job in TV to work his photography biz full-time. From day one he raised the bar for both photographers and other artists. Tim’s professionalism and easy going manner stand out in the crowd. Enjoy his story!
Tim Herschbach, a landscape and nature photographer residing in Houston, Texas, aims to discover captivating rural settings and subjects, be they natural or man-made. Through the medium of photography, his goal is to produce top-tier fine art by capturing these scenes with utmost precision and creativity.
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
I grew up in Oklahoma and have been living in the Houston area for 18 years. I’ve also been married for 18 years and we have three kids, 4, 6, and 8. I love Jesus, metal detecting, pc gaming, and most recently have gotten into 3D design and 3D-printing parts for various projects I’ve got going on, one of which is a motion cockpit seat for use in a virtual reality flight simulator, which I built from the ground up. I’ve also been an amateur visual astronomer for a few years and am currently working on completing the Messier and Herschel deep-sky-object certifications.
How did your art journey begin?
I’ve enjoyed drawing since Junior High and took nature and landscape painting lessons in high school. I chose a Minolta SLR as my high school graduation gift and did some shooting with it. Not much artistic though, mostly of friends, vacations, and such. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Geography degree, I decided to do something completely different and went back to school at Rose State, a small community college near Oklahoma City, and graduated 18 months later with an Associates in Television Broadcast. My curriculum was focused on shooting and editing video for news stories, although it encompassed many aspects of the television broadcast industry.
Unlike my time at OU, I felt like I’d finally found something that felt natural to me. I worked at a few different places for a year and a half, but finally landed a great job at KPRC, the NBC affiliate in Houston, as a production operator. This mostly involved running robotic cameras in the studio (a first for me), switching graphics, and floor directing. After three years, I got the itch to learn more about IT and I picked up a massive book and started studying for the CompTIA A+ certification just to see where that would lead me. I happened to ask my boss if our IT director needed an assistant, and within a week, I was the new IT assistant and had moved from production to engineering.
I loved my new position and learned so much over the next three years. Most of my work was waiting for something to break (printers were the most common in case you were wondering) so I had plenty of down time. I spent this time scratching yet a new itch, photography. Yes, I’d dabbled a bit before, but I really wanted to learn how to make a great photograph consistently. I read books, and used my downtime to read photography forums, searching for the common denominators between great photographs. I found a used Canon DSLR system on Craigslist and spent the next few years learning photography as a serious hobby.
A few years later, I sold my first few photographs at the Sugar Land Farmer’s Market in July 2012. A year later, I made the difficult decision to leave KPRC and set out on my own as a professional fine art landscape photographer.
Delicate Arch at moonrise, Arches National Park, UtahCuba, New MexicoHorseshoe Bend, near Page, Arizona
Where are you now with your art?
I’m currently focused on photographing the “Great American West” with my Fujifilm medium format camera system. My most recent expedition was through Olympic and Mt Rainier National Parks in Washington. I’m releasing these photographs each month in my email newsletter.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
Right now, I just seem to be taking it one day at a time. The kids are a handful and that’s where most of my energy is spent it seems. It’s a real treat when I manage to get away to photograph for a week. Once the kids are older and better at taking care of themselves, I hope to be able to take photography trips more often.
Starting this fall, all three kids will be in school so I’m considering doing some local landscape/cityscape work during the daytime. This would most likely be a monochrome collection of images.
Tell us what’s next and where to find you.
I’ll be at First Saturday Arts Market on March 2nd, Bayou City Arts Fest on March 23rd-24th, Sugar Land Arts Fest on April 27th-28th, and Cottonwood Arts Fest (Richardson, TX) on May 4th-5th.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Read, listen, learn. Try new things. Don’t get stuck in the rut of doing the same things. Maybe you’re doing something the best way possible, but you’ll still learn something new by doing it differently.
Tell us that one crazy story about yourself!
I’ve scuba’d with sharks on several occasions, but the most memorable time was in the Bahamas, off Nassau. This was specifically a “shark dive” and when I stepped off the boat and dropped into the water, I have to admit I felt very vulnerable when I looked around through the clearing bubbles to see I was surrounded by circling gray sharks with black, soul-less eyes. That was quite an experience and I’d definitely do it again.
Getting some horse lovin’ near the motel at Mexican Hat, UTPlaying my Native American Flute for the horses.
Above: “Playing my Native American Flute for the horses. I purchased this flute from an artist near my booth at a San Antonio art festival. I loved the sound so much, I had to have one. I brought it along with me on this trip through Arizona and Utah, and actually played it while watching the sun set over the Grand Canyon!”
Sharks! “Diving with sharks in the Bahamas, off the coast of Nassau. There were dozens more like this one all around us.”
There are few things more satisfying than meeting someone so excited about your art, that they BUY IT and take it home! Don’t let what you don’t know about booths, set up and how to accept credit cards prevent you from trying & succeeding at events.
The best tips are going to be from other artists. At First Saturday Arts Market, you’ll find many are happy to share their stories and ideas. I highly recommend visiting us before investing your time and money.
Suggestions – I have some product suggestions on a Pinterest page, linked below.
THE TENT gives you your own showroom/gallery, protects you from the sun/rain and sets you apart from other exhibitors. Your tent is also a 100 square foot kite and can easily ruin your day, art and cause injury. Therefore you need good …
WEIGHTSfor your tent. I recommend a minimum of 100 pounds total, 25 pounds per tent leg. 30 – 40 pounds per tent leg is ideal. You have to buy these online or make them yourself. Order from Amazon, or Walmart and pick them up at your local store.
DISPLAY is very important but don’t go broke getting started. Start with what you have and invest as you go. You’ll pick up a wealth of knowledge from other artists (by talking or observing). *Visit markets or look on Pinterest to get ideas for do-it-yourself displays on a budget.
MONEY is what you want to take home. Get a credit card reader, they’re inexpensive and work with today’s smartphones. Most artists use either Square or PayPal.
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit – In Texas you are responsible for collecting and paying sales tax on your sales. Just like you pay tax for items you purchase everyday, if you are engaged in business, you must do this. The permit is easy to obtain on the comptroller’s website, be sure to jot down the number and keep it on you for surprise comptroller visits. You’ll need that number for your application as well. * Direct link > https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/permit/
Fortunately, the sales tax ID is the only legal requirement needed in Houston.
SCAM ALERT: There are many companies that will “obtain” your tax permit for a fee. You do not need them, this is a simple online form. The link above is all you need, do not give away your personal data to 3rd parties for your tax ID. **An employer identification number (EIN) or federal tax ID from the IRS is not the same, I do not need that. Read more about EIN here.
Lauren has always exemplified a successful independant artist. Her “other” profession is teaching, and as you’re about to read, Lauren definitely practices what she teaches. Keep an eye on her, if you can keep up!
Armed with just a palette knife and some oil paint, Lauren Luna explores the urban center of Houston. Capturing the hustle and bustle of the city, well-known landmarks, and hidden gems; its vibrancy and it’s energy. A regular overheard comment is, “You make the city, pretty!”
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio; moved to New York City after graduating from Kent State University with a bachelors in Fine Arts. I worked briefly at Bloomingdales in Visual Design, before starting my 20+ year teaching career. While teaching I went back to school and earned a Masters of Science in Special Education, had a son, moved back to Ohio, got married, got divorced, started a second Master’s degree program, moved to Houston, and completed my degree program to earn a Masters of Fine Arts. I’ve lived in a lot of places, I speak Spanish, I don’t like rude people. I’ve been told I have a “loud face”, meaning what I don’t say, is written all over my face. I’m back to working out and losing weight. Art is my life!
How did your art journey begin?
My earliest memories of art involve my mother and her garden. In Ohio, where I’m from, the soil is heavy with clay. My mom would landscape our yard, and in doing so, would dig up clumps of clay, which I would then sculpt into different things. Thankfully my parents were very supportive in my artistic inclinations, and signed me up for art classes, camps, etc, and by the age of nine, I knew I wanted to be a professional artist.
What are you doing with your art right now?
Working on a couple of commission projects. One of which is a 22′ x 14′ glass mural that will be installed outside Dallas. I am also giving talks about being a professional artist and all the many things it includes.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
I believe I may be doing some traveling this summer. Basically all my goals are art related and being self- sufficient with it. Once you work for yourself, it’s very hard to go back to working for someone else.
I’m working on getting more of my work and merchandise mainstreamed.
Bonus Round!
If you didn’t work in your medium, what would you choose?
Maybe clay. I took several classes in high school and college sculpting clay.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Do not give up. Make sure you have a way to support yourself, but keep making art at the same time.
Bonus Question! Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
When I had a custom shoe line, I had a lot of celebrity clientele. LL Cool J, Pherrell Williams, Raekwon from Wu Tang Clan, Angela Simmons, just to name a few.
First Saturday Arts Market Corner
Lauren made her first appearance at the market the summer of 2012. Has attending 1stSatArtMarket changed you and/or your art? When I was deciding where to relocate, First Saturday Art Market would keep coming up within my research of Houston. It was partially the reason I ended up moving here. Connecting with Mitch has proven beneficial because of his vast network of art folks and not to mention the connections made with the regulars at the market.
What one take away would you like the public to know about 1stSatArtMarket? Setting up and tear down of our booths is extremely laborious. But we come every month just for YOU!
Do you have any inspiring, incredible sales or connection stories you can share? One December a man was chatting away on his phone, and came into my booth, looked around and walked back out. Came back about ten minutes later and said, “I want that, that and that!” Definitely a great day!
Lilibeth is a fantastic artist using oils as her medium. She’s been a great advocate for artists, planning and hosting events, workshops and open studios. She’s also an alternative & holistic health service practitioner helping people balance & rejuvenate their health. There’s a great story below about this photo!
I was born in Mexico but have been here most of my life. I’ve always been creative exploring mediums and genres from painting to fashion and architectural design. My artwork focuses primarily on portraiture and landscapes. I am open to various art ventures because it gives me the opportunity to grow in abilities and depth.
I set painting aside while my boys were little to keep toxics away but got back in as they got older and wiser with colored pencils and acrylics. That’s why I started using water soluble oils because I liked the medium but not the solvents. And the paintings started selling. I had just finished my second degree and working full-time when I realized that, being a mother to boot, I could find the time to go to school, then I could find the time to paint.
How did your art journey begin?
My grandparents and parents were all artistic, from architecture, to drawing, painting, fashion, music, writing and crafts, I was exposed to these influences with the understanding that as a creative, anything was possible. Crayons and pencils were my first tools.
Professionally, my art business experience began with the First Saturday Arts Market. I learned the setup of a booth, from packing to setting up; working with art patrons; and preparing for the next market. This preparation gave me the experience to consider traveling to other markets, an artist co-op, and my own studio.
What are you doing with your art right now?
I am happy with my art path. I’ve fulfilled my technical objectives thus far and express myself freely with my characteristic style.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
I would like to see an original Andre in 1 of 50,000 homes in the U.S. and many reproductions in between.
Where else do you show your art?
The easel awaits always. It’s my best friend. In the meantime, my work can be found on my website and I share news and happenings on Facebook and Instagram.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Master your tools, build an inventory, and get your feet wet at the First Saturday Arts Market to understand the business skills. After that, the sky’s the limit.
Bonus Question! Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
I ran away with the circus!
We are standing in front of the big circus tent. When we moved to Texas from California we were looking for a place to raise our blended family. Once we arrived se stoped to rest at a hotel. We had two vehicles with a trailer each. I was driving the main vehicle with the top trailer. It was stolen overnight. It included my then husband’s work tools. With no means to work, no clothes, no treasured possessions, the options were few and far between. Then a call came in to the hotel room. A job for each of us, a place to live, an opportunity to travel with the kids. It sounded too good to be true. When my husband hung up and explained the offer I said, “Why not?” So we ran away with the circus!
Monique has been a regular at the market for years. Her upbeat positivity and caring nature have made her a popular friend to both artists & customers.
I’m from East Asia originally, been in Houston for 24 years. This is my second career – my first was in intelligence, covering sub-Saharan Africa and Francophone countries worldwide. I still provide briefings here and there, but this career is much more fun! I’m earning a Master’s in Liberal Studies at Rice University. My husband is a really smart, talented finance professor at Rice’s business school. Our son is a freshman at Tulane University, learning lots and having a ball. Two dogs, three fish, and we love dog-sitting!
How did your art journey begin?
I always made funny or pretty doodads out of found objects, and I always liked art exhibits. My hometown, Tokyo, has a plethora of museums showcasing just about everything, and as a kid, I could take the train anywhere and explore all of them. In my teens, I learned about various tools and possibilities from a great teacher and fellow students. I started making jewelry to sell and never stopped. I do small multimedia art projects as well.
Matisse necklace by Monique Weston
Vietnamese postage stamp earrings by Monique Weston
Where are you now with your art?
Happy to be selling art via social media, an online store, and various shows. My favorite is First Saturday Arts Market.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
Nope, I just want to take classes and learn about techniques and possibilities.
Tell us what’s next and where to find you.
I’ll be at First Saturday Arts Market, at 540 W. 19th St. in Houston’s Heights, on Feb. 3 and March 2, 2024. You can also find links to my work at www.moniqueweston.com. The best selection of my work is on Instagram, at moniquewestonart.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Learn outside of the expected courses. Combine all your disciplines and knowledge as you go, and then you’ll have authentic work that will let you keep growing.
The Yankee Woodturner Ron Martel’s hobby of woodturning quickly took up a significant portion of both his and his wife’s home square footage. That’s when Ron decided to allow us the opportunity to take his amazing creations to our homes. Ron also said he’s a dog lover, graphic designer, avid target shooter (he makes his own ammo), drummer, step-dad & grandpa!
When Ron Martel first introduced himself to me a couple of years ago, he was scoping out my market. He said as much, as he looked around. I remember Martel peppering me with questions as he gave the market a side eye. That first meeting makes me laugh now, having gotten to know him the past 2 years, and his dry sense of humor.
Martel’s art medium is wood and he calls his company The Yankee Woodturner. When he set up his black canopied tent emblazoned with the very famous canon with the words “Come and Take It” underneath, I knew then I liked him.
What’s your background?
“I’m a retired police officer from New London, CT, I met my future wife at Dunkin’ Donuts (of course),” Martel said. “We moved to Kingwood, TX., where we could buy a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood. We traded snow shoveling for hurricanes.”
How did your art journey begin?
“I started woodturning as a hobby after my wife got me a lathe for Christmas in 2019,” Martel said. “After filling every tabletop, countertop and desktop (including the laundry room) with my projects, she put her foot down and said I had to get rid of stuff before I made anything else. So I started selling at markets.”
Where are you now with your art?
“I’m expanding from the standard bowls, vases & urns to include wall hangings, clocks, lovebirds/bird baths, and other mixed media art.”
What’s next and where to find you.
“I’m a regular participant at 1st Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards,” Martel said. “I occasionally sell at The Kingwood Farmers Market, just to stay close to my roots. My website offers a “here’s what I do” view. The pieces there don’t reflect my current inventory, nor can one buy from me online. My Instagram shows my current work. People can and have contacted me there to buy recently posted items.”
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
“Find your own voice,” Martel said. “Be open to new influences, but don’t copy them. Incorporate them into who you are as an artist. If you don’t need the money, congratulations! You can make art for the sake of art. Otherwise, you’ll have to find what prospective customers want. I straddle that fence – I make most of my pieces with art as the objective. These pieces take a while to sell, because they don’t speak to everyone, but eventually that person comes along that just has to have it. I’ve also started making household items that people can actually use. They appeal to a wide range of customers, and are good sellers.”
Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
“I was a competitive bodybuilder on the local circuit (Northeast US) from 1976-1984,” Martel said. “In 1979, I attended the Mr. Olympia contest in Columbus, OH as a spectator. My hero, Robby Robinson, came in 4th place. At a diner after the show, I was complaining to a friend how I thought Robby got ripped off. A guy in the next booth agreed, and said he was good friends with Robby. I thought he was BSing me, but I just kept nodding my head as if I believed him. My friend and I eventually left the diner, starting to walk back to the hotel, when we heard a voice yelling toward us from behind. Suspecting a drunken fool, we kept walking. The guy following us was the “friend” from the diner. He said he had just gotten hold of Robby on the phone, and was heading over to his hotel room, and asked if I’d like to go. Suspecting a trap, I kicked his ass and took his wallet. Just kidding. He took us to Robby’s room, where we spent the most memorable 90 minutes of my life shooting the breeze with my bodybuilding idol and his wife.”
Caroline joined First Saturday Arts Market when it was about 6 years old. She took a break to be a Mom and returned just a few years ago. She’s currently working on new exciting projects as she continues to explore her creative side.
I’m a mom of two (ages 11 and 8). I was born in Alexandria, Egypt, raised in California, and moved to Texas in 2007 after marrying my husband. We met in San Diego at a church conference. I currently live in the Northwest area of Houston. I’ve been making art since age ten, and I have a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy and Art Therapy. I love the ocean and being outside, exploring new places. I love to read, and I’m involved in my church, helping out with the kids’ camps there.
How did your art journey begin?
Visiting a church on top of Mount Sinai.
My grandfather was an oil painter, and we had his oil paintings all over the house I grew up in, and my aunt also followed in his footsteps. There were a lot of pre-Raphael renditions all over the place. I was always drawn to it. In high school, my art teacher told me to join the honors watercolor club, and I also got recognized for an art show at that time, so I was hooked. I majored in art in college, but it was part of a double major with psychology because I come from an immigrant family who didn’t believe that a career in art was real.
Where are you now with your art?
I ask myself that every day lol. It’s my passion and my dream, so I’m always working on it, both in my studio, applying to calls, etc. My last few things have been getting juried into the Art Car Museum “Blue” show. In 2022, one of my paintings was acquired by The Woodlands High School Art Trust. I finished the Artist Inc. program in 2023. I got some great commissions completed this past summer of 2023.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
I want to connect with interior designers and work more closely with them and do some more commission work. I want to find other avenues, walls to put my work on as well. I’m open.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Take yourself and your art seriously because it’s important work. Don’t give up on it, no matter the resistance you might get from the outside world or your own family. Keep honing your skills, continue to learn, and always have a ‘beginner’s mind’ so it stays fresh and fun. Your vision and your work are unique because it’s made by you. Don’t worry that “it’s been done before” because it’s never been done before by you.
Bonus Question! Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
I’ve hiked Mount Sinai (Moses’ mountain) on foot and by camel! I saw the most amazing night sky! I also hiked Yosemite, which was one of the most amazing experiences in my life.
One weird fact
I love Tom Waits. Took awhile for this Egyptian to acquire that taste in music! lol
Caroline working hard! She is inspired by nature and being outdoors.
Melinda is a First Saturday Arts Market “alumni.” One of her paintings was featured on the market flyers and she did quite a bit of the market’s graphic design work. Her dry wit comes through in her answers here, enjoy.
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
Outside the art world? I didn’t know there was such a place. But ok. There is family, which for me is Little League and mutton-bustin’ at the rodeo. I’m fortunate to no longer be required to have an outside to the art world so I can work every day in peace.
How did your art journey begin?
My journey began before most of you were born. My artist grandfather put a brush in my hand, gave me paint and demanded “Paint.” There was no turning back. It continued through public school and several years at the Houston Museum of Fine Art Scholarship Class. Every Friday in the basement. You never heard of it before, right? Preceded Glassell.
Where are you now with your art?
As I said, I paint every day. Sell a lot online and sometimes get offers I can’t ignore. The biggest so far is painting mural designs for a public art company in L.A. I paint a large canvas and they enlarge the image, print it and install it in Walmart stores. So far I’ve done three. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it pays.
More of the same and more exposure. I want to be the painter whose art my great grandkids will find stuffed in the attic and when they get it appraised, it’s worth a fortune. Like on Antiques Roadshow.
Tell us what’s next and where to find you.
More more more of the same. More murals, maybe a show or two and more amazing offers. I’m doing most of my painting in the Hill Country outside of Marble Falls. Find me on the usual social media, my website and a few online galleries such as Artfinder and Saatchiart. And to see it in person, visit Primal Gallery in Dripping Springs. Tell Joe I sent you and he’ll give you a discount. And it’s the only place to see my nudes.
Bonus Question! Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
No photos please, but many years ago I spent time at a nude beach outside of San Francisco. Carlos Santana saw me naked.