First Saturday Arts Market will celebrate 10 years in March of 2014, making it the longest, continuously running monthly outdoor fine arts event in Houston. I asked the artists how the market has affected them, their artwork, friendships and what advice they may give artists considering outdoor shows like ours. I’ll share some of the responses on our blog from both new and seasoned artists leading up to our anniversay.
Running this show has changed my life. And watching how it has changed and affected the lives of others has been an awesome experience. If you have something you’d like to share, please email me at here. (1stSatArtMarket at Gmail com)
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Thank you Houston!
Mitch Cohen
Founder/Market Guy at First Saturday Arts Market
Martin de Vore visits the market, with Mitch on the right.
I am a multimedia artist focusing on the formal aspects of Art–line variation, texture, rhythm, color, space, etc. My original drawings, watercolor paintings, and other elements are encased within layers of mixed-mediums. The nature of the mediums dictate the compositions and ensure that no two are alike. They are created on custom made wood panels which eliminates the need for framing. www.amandaarmistead.com 281-796-7445
Kingwood, Texas
Mixed media painting * Joined the market in 2011
How has your art changed since joining First Saturday Arts Market?
When I started in May 2011 my sales were average. Now, in 2013, my sales have hit over 7 times what I made per market. Seasoned artists have been an example for me to follow.
About how often do you attend the market and how would you rate your level of experience now?
3-5 times a year Seasoned
Is there anything significant that happened to you as a result of participating at the market?
My art has developed. I have become more confident. I am setting higher goals for myself.
Amanda Armistead Pechacek – Mixed media watercolor titled “One of a Brood” that received 3rd place at the JoMar Visions Art Excellence 2013.
In May of 2011, First Saturday Arts Market became a Birthplace and Public Grand Opening for both me and my art. Each time I participate I observe a fascinating mixture of both novice and seasoned artists creating an appealing atmosphere for patrons. The 10 year success of the monthly outdoor fine arts event proves that something great is happening…both for the participation artists and the public who can’t seem to get enough.
Do you have any advice for new artists?
Watch, listen, learn, take notes, apply, ask Mitch, ask your tent neighbor, engage your patron, smile, return, and you will love it!!
Christopher Perkins Cypress Fairbanks
Painter, joined in 2013
“If ‘life is a trip,’ then make the trip count for something!”
Chris Perkins at White Linen Night in the Heights
As a first time artist showing at outdoor events, what has First Saturday Arts Market done for you?
I feel I have been enhanced by my experience at First Saturday Arts Market. I think just being in an artistic atmosphere generates so much creative energy that one can’t help but to exemplify it.
Is there anything significant that happened to you as a result of participating at the market?
Yes, I met some awesome people including those in the art community and art lovers. I also sold nearly all of my paintings! I’ve been painting in between my daughters nap-time preparing for 2014 and I’m looking at next year with so much optimism and excitement.
I remember when …
My first experience that I will never forget….as I was assembling my tent, my tent bag acquired some legs and “walked off”. Come to find out a fellow patron mistakingly thought it was his. Another moment…I was so nervous and excited for the 2013 White Linen Night that I forgot my tent all together! Luckily Mitch came to my rescue. All my items are labeled and I will pack everything up the day before from now on.
What would you say to aspiring artists sitting on the fence?
“Music” by Chris Perkins
I would say to give it a shot if you are giving the opportunity. I think your attitude goes a long way with sales. I had a couple visit my tent 3 times before they purchased a painting. Everytime they came I smiled, talked to them and interacted with them…be positive, but not too invasive, it goes a long way.
What have you been doing since your last show at First Saturday Arts Market? I’ve been doing commissioned work since the White Linen Night, it’s been great!
Monique Weston Houston, TX Art Jeweler – repurposed materials. First attended the market in 2009
Monique Weston at First Saturday Arts Market
How has your art changed since first attending First Saturday Arts Market
I’ve gained a lot more confidence in my art, and my pieces reflect that; they’re more interesting, daring and original.
What makes the experience at the market different?
First Saturday Arts Market gives me the invaluable experience of seeing first-hand how people react to my artwork. They’ll be strolling by the booth and I’ll see their attention sharpen and focus on a particular piece. In the way they touch my work, I can see which pieces have the right balance. I get to see which pieces garner the most attention, and hear patrons’ comments. I also get to see my jewelry on a lot of different people, mixing with their individual styles. While I love selling in boutiques as well, being a vendor shapes my work directly, in a way no other outlet can.
Is there anything significant that happened to you as a result of participating at the market?
Monique Weston Jewelry
I’ve met a lot of great clients, and was invited to show in several galleries by people I wouldn’t have met anywhere else. I’ve also met such wonderful fellow-vendors, people I look forward to seeing every time I go.
I remember when …
I guess it’s clear that I love vending. I love joining in this ancient, pure form of commerce – creator to consumer.
The atmosphere at First Saturday Arts Market reflects an openness that is one of the best qualities that Houston has to offer. There’s bonhomie among the vendors – I love hearing a shout of laughter from another tent, seeing a borrowed roll of duct-tape passed back and forth, hearing comments on booths and artwork, observing the commonality of setting up and breaking down tents. I’m not romanticizing these little details into a great bond among the artists, but there’s a camaraderie at First Saturday Arts Market which, while mainly casual, is truly valuable nonetheless.
Among the patrons, there seems to be a sensibility of more than just shopping, but also of supporting the local arts.
You mentioned you show your jewelry elsewhere, where can we find it?
When I’m not at First Saturday Arts Market, I’m selling in Houston boutiques. At the moment, I’m in Artisan Designs in Rice Village, and at Hello-Lucky in the Heights.
Greetings! With great honor I accepted an invitation to write a column about art in The Leader Newspaper. Naturally, I’ll be covering what I know best … the independent art scene!
The first column is all about art markets that now occur on each first Saturday of the month. Each are different and offer patrons a unique twist. Read all about it!
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First Saturday Arts Market returns this Saturday with dozens of artists coming from Houston, Austin, La Grange and even Memphis, Tennessee. Back by demand (and very nearly threats on the organizers life) is H-townStrEATs, a chef driven gourmet truck. Also this month, the nonprofit US Military K-9 will be on site with possibly one or two retired military dogs.
This is the eighth year the art market has been in operation, its truly a hidden Houston gem in Houston, mostly grown by grassroots efforts from the artists and organizer. If you haven’t been, stop by in April or May, the last daytime shows before the market returns to evening hours for Houston’s hot summers.
This is a quote “lifted” from a local couple’s newsletter circulating about a recent trip to the art market.
“What was most appealing, was these artists were for the most part as friendly as neighbors, people you would like to know. No sales pitch, other than smiles or offers to explain what we were seeing.”
Anne-Joëlle Galley, a painter and printmaker is a featured artist at the April 7 First Saturday Arts Market. Galley, born in Mexico and formerly a resident of New York City, has worked in Houston for several years now. She has won international acclaim for her paintings, mono-types and prints with their signature bold colors. Galley?s colorful paintings, monotypes and prints—characterized by strong, bold colors—have been exhibited in Switzerland, England, Mexico, Italy, Romania, New York and Houston. Full press release
Eugene John Hughes ~ Painter, abstracted realism
“My artwork derives from an overwhelming need to visually translate what I have seen or read, experienced or witnessed over a complex lifetime to date. Emotion. Religion. Family. Friends. Past, present, estranged or already gone.” Hughes says of his painting. “Today I see with a clean internal eye. A soul. I see purple in nearly everything. I understand. For the first time, all is finally out of myself and into a tangible visual, hold it in my hand form. Using color and texture, paint and canvas, and other elements, I can clearly execute and therefore share my experience.”
Peace or Drama, A Journey Through Music and Art is the latest project from Nashville musician, Eve Fleishman. She wrote 13 original songs and invited 13 visual artists to make each song into a painting. “I wanted this to be a true art-inspires-art experience, so I gave them no parameters – they were free to interpret it in their own way.”
Fleishman chose artists from the seven states where she’s lived, mirroring her own creative life’s journey. “It was so exciting to see what the artists came up with. In each painting, I could see echoes of the song in the work.” She has embarked on a year-long national tour with the 13 pieces of art. Her one-woman act is part storytelling, part concert, and part art show.
One of only two stops in Texas will be the First Saturday Arts Market in the Houston Heights. The seven year old arts market may be a perfect fit for this traveling art and music show.
Market founder/manager Mitch Cohen explains; “When Eve called and explained what she was doing, I had to say yes. We’ve always tried to keep our music as unique and one of kind as the artists’ work. With Eve we’ve got both!” Cohen continues, “This Spring and Summer I launched a market gallery booth with the intention of showcasing guest artists. I’m really excited to showcase the artwork of Peace or Drama, A Journey Through Music and Art.”
Simply Be Watercolor on paper 30 x 22 in by Carla Gauthier
The only Texas artist chosen for Peace or Drama is Clear Lake City artist Carla Gauthier. Gauthier’s work is titled “Simply Be,” a 30″ x 22″ in watercolor. Gauthier’s work combines her love of architectural detail and attention to qualities of light that transform commonplace scenes. The result is a body of works that read like snapshots; people going about their daily life, oblivious to us looking on, and their story is allowed to unfold.
Gauthier says of her work, “Simply Be is nostalgic and speaks to the heart. To me, it is a reminder to chase what’s important, in the process leaving behind our plans, our possessions, our “heady notions.” It is a song that begs one to reflect and be content with what is at this moment.”
“My painting titled after Eve’s lyrics is based on an early morning visit to Paris’ Luxembourg Gardens. The business world was already humming, but the park was peaceful and quiet. Those lucky enough to spend their hours there were still home, still waking up. But I was there with my daughter Jillian, taking a moment to…. simply be.”
Eve is on the road this summer with pianist Joseph S. Smith, a former classmate from Berklee College of Music in Boston. The two friends wrote a song together at Berklee, inspired by the Van Gogh posters in Joe’s apartment. This became Van Gogh Heard, a song that features prominently on Eve’s album. “I guess for me, the music and art connection has always been there,” says Fleishman, who also has a background in museum work.
Eve has created an exhibition book featuring lyrics and images of the paintings, as well as “behind-the-scenes” commentary from each artist. Audience members may bid on the paintings, buy books, CDs and postcards, with a portion of the proceeds going to PeaceTones, a charity that helps artists in developing nations.
Located on the Wind Water Gallery parking lot at 548 West 19th Street at Lawrence Street, the market is open year ’round on the first Saturday of each month. To stay out of the heat of the day, the market is open evenings in the summer including July 2. For details on artists, music and the White Linen Night in the Heights location visit the website. Admission and nearby parking are free.
Peace or Drama, A Journey Through Music and Art is the latest project from Nashville musician, Eve Fleishman. She wrote 13 original songs and invited 13 visual artists to make each song into a painting. “I wanted this to be a true art-inspires-art experience, so I gave them no parameters – they were free to interpret it in their own way.”
