Austin native John Mercado works primarily in painting and book deconstruction. He often uses found objects and mixed media to create his geometric artwork, which can be viewed as aesthetically minimalist with constructive and collage elements.
John has been a full-time artist for more than fifteen years participating in juried art festivals across the country and has shown in galleries in New York City, New Haven, CT, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX and Austin, TX. Instagram: @johnmercadoarthttps://www.jmercadofineart.com/
Original fantasy fine art created in acrylic, oil, digital, graphite, epoxy clay & wood. Work available in pendants, canvas, resin & paper prints. www.thebutterfrog.com 713-501-4564
I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember on everything and anything I could get my hands on. My father was my biggest cheerleader when it came to my art, but got frustrated with me drawing in his beloved books. Because of this, at age 6 he had me in basic children art classes. These classes opened a door for me that lead me to my beloved art teacher Fran T. May. At age 8 Fran came to my art class and asked me if I would be interested in attending one of her adult art classes. Of course I did and that one move truly changed the way I viewed myself and my ability as an artist. I stayed in her class until I turned 18, at which point she told me there was nothing more she could teach me and encouraged me to explore my own ability. I am eternally grateful to Fran for the love and guidance she gave me.
Today, I have a booth at the Texas Renaissance Festival (#670 Wizard Way) called the Butterfrog. During off season of faire I show at a few other renaissance festivals in Texas & Oklahoma, White Linen in the Heights and First Saturday Art Market.
Doing this has allowed me to place my pieces in private collections and help many charities and local families in need.
Lauren Luna was born in Columbus, Ohio. After graduating from Kent State University’s School of Fine Arts with a focus in painting, she moved to New York City. She began teaching Special Education for New York City schools and entered a Masters program at Manhattan College. Upon graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Columbus along with her son and continued teaching. Later enrolling in the Academy of Art University for her second Master’s degree, in Fine Arts.
In 2011, Luna relocated to Houston, Texas, pursuing her new life as a full time artist and footwear designer.
Lauren Luna was named a Top 50 Entrepreneur by Scion Car Company, participated in Austin and Houston Fashion Week, was featured in British Vogue and Glamour Magazines, and had a shoe design in an exhibit in the Grassi Museum in Germany.She was honored to receive the Margot Siegel Award for Design by the Goldstein Museum of which two pairs of her hand painted shoes are a part of the museum’s permanent collection.
In 2015, after winning Best In Show at a juried art competition, she was commended by the Alvin Independent School District School Board, and was put into Congressional Record by the District’s State Representative.
She is a frequent participant to local art festivals, and also has a mural at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Luna currently is an art professor at Lone Star and San Jacinto Colleges, and is Co-President of the D.R.E.A.M Affect Foundation, a non-profit organization that awards scholarships to minority art students pursuing Fine Arts, and grants for emerging artists to show their work.
by Kristy Allmon My signature style with Enchanted Photodesign offers a luminous, ethereal view of a widely diverse array of subjects, from personal portraits to hard-edged urban views, from wildflowers to vivid graffiti. Far more than a business name, Enchanted Photodesign describes my approach to photography itself, a highly characteristic expression of my worldview, which creates a unique and immediately recognizable body of work. www.enchantedphotodesign.com 713-320-2713
Unique hand forged and oxidized jewelry. fLuxe Jewelry flirts with a balance between soft and edgy forms and is inspired by many styles, including art deco, Aztec pottery, & modern graphic design. fLuxe Jewelry is a line made from copper sheet metal and patina chemicals. Soft, playful colors compliment the sharp, geometric edges. 713.299.6286 fLuxeJewelry.com
Here is the question: Why can’t everything be beautiful? The Beyond Her Collection is a group of high quality, everyday artisan goods made more satisfying with thoughtful design. It starts with original art – watercolors or pen-and-ink drawings by Paule Hewlett (aka “her”- which is then imprinted onto various surfaces, then packaged by hand, with care.
Products include stationery and office products . . . napkins and dishtowels . . . pillows and mugs . . . tee shirts and scarves. Most products include an inspirational or comforting quote, resulting in a soul-satisfying Art + Wisdom experience.
The raw ingredients are carefully chosen – we hunt for natural fabrics, feel-good sizes, practical designs, great styling, sturdy construction, unique textures. The images and colors are carefully chosen to be both visible and durable so that using these humble domestic objects is a joy in itself.
The textile products are silkscreened by hand with eco-friendly water-based inks. Many of the paper products are printed one at a time in our shop. We use small local shops for any outsourcing. All products are lovingly packaged by hand in our own studio, in our own style.
We call it Art for Living. And it makes a difference. Oh, and the name? It comes from the passion that drives this small business. It truly is . . Beyond Her.
Tomboy Pretty offers a unique mix of semiprecious stones necklaces, pearl pendants, glass bead jewelry and metal earrings. tomboy-pretty.com
Design Aesthetic: I prefer designs that highlight the natural beauty of stones using the classic elements of jewelry design with a modern interpretation to reflect a timeless statement of personal style.
Houston folk artist Kiki Neumann has been picking up urban street cast offs and crafted them into useful home and garden items for many years. Now after over 4000 plus birdhouses, garden benches, cabinets, and you name it she has switched her focus a bit! Her newest medium for art is found license plates. She currently has created an art studio devoted exclusively to the “factory” of handmaking over 30 unique things JUST out of license plates! Whew! And now there is a greeting card line of 60 different images of words and images made from license plates that is carried in 50 state wide retail stores. Yee haw y’all. …… See her newest website: www.kikineumanncreations.com.
Joel Anderson’s artwork showcases the beauty and versatility of encaustics. With its ability to resemble smooth glass or heavy texture, he layers, embeds, transfers images, and etches to create artwork that pops. JoelAndersonArt.com 713-829-1065
Joel Anderson is a largely self-taught artist specializing in encaustic paintings. He produces his art start-to-finish from hauling 4’x8′ sheets of plywood home and cutting them down, mixing his own encaustic medium, and making his own frames.
Joel’s background is information technology, which he retired from professionally but carries elements of into his artwork.
He is a member artist at Archway Gallery and an active volunteer with the Visual Arts Alliance.
Follow his creative process via his social media accounts:
