Alex Rios
Artist Roster
Novel Arts And Crafts
With decades of hands-on experience, several design skills, and a love of uplifting others, the creator of Novel Arts and Crafts LLC, Jom Kirkland, decided to use them to create meaningful gifts and one-of-a-kind products to ensure that her customers will own one of the unique pieces that are not in mass production. Color and pattern may vary. She designs all handmade jewelry products and combines different elements for your unique style, from genuine freshwater pearls to natural and reconstituted gemstones, healing crystals, and lava rocks, which can be used with essential oils to create a special way of gift-giving for everyone.
Lili’s Sweethearts
My Latin American origins heavily influence my work. I pay homage in all my paintings to the diversity of the women in the world, including indigenous people, artists, and the everyday fighter. My work is colorful and often includes hidden words, messages, and poems I wrote to give each piece a unique feel and a deeper meaning. My goal is that every piece brings color and history to their future forever home.
Hashem Studio
Love of art has always been a major part of my life. Growing up in a remote area in Lebanon, I spent my childhood on hillsides entertaining myself by using natural environment to make art, creating miniature villages using twigs, mud, pebbles, seashells and other flotsam. Bullet casings and exploded shrapnel afforded excellent miniature construction material. I started my career as a molecular biologist, but I never gave up art, filling up any free time creating something. After taking my first class in ceramics 10+ years ago, I fell in love and decided to give it 100% of my attention. Turning mud into a mug involves physics, chemistry, and cognitive constructional abilities, yet is ultimately controlled by the unpredictable whims of the kiln gods, … and playing with clay is cheaper than psychotherapy. I replaced scientific experimentation with experimentation with clay. I am constantly trying new techniques, materials, and glazes, giving rise to my eclectic style. There will always be something new and different in my collection. You can view current works by following me on Instagram or my website.
Jeff Lung
Jeff’s funny Instagram stories came on my radar long before he came to 1st Saturday in 2023. Jeff has turned his obsession with “doodling” into an artform and that in itself makes a great story. Sit back for the rest, Jeff has a fascinating and inspiring backstory!
One could call Jeff Lung’s art figurative abstract art but he often just calls it “doodle art.” “I love to doodle! So I’ve made it my thing!” ~ Jeff Lung
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
I am a self-taught artist interested in figurative abstract expression and obsessive doodling. All my life I have been obsessed with filling empty spaces with shapes, and my doodle-scribbled notebooks collected over the years document this quest. I find great satisfaction in finding relationships among forms and expressing them through emotion. In my free time, I enjoys being outdoors: running, hiking and cycling. I also love comic books and live stand-up comedy. Born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, since leaving home at 18 years old I have lived in big cities like Madrid, Beijing, Los Angeles and Chicago. Now I’m a Texan. Texan for life.
How did your art journey begin?
Initially it was a coping mechanism for dealing with the chaos of my early childhood. I found that drawing and doodling helped me escape from the drama that was otherwise holding me down.
What are you doing with your art right now?
I continue to experiment by combining my deep interest in traditional portraiture and figure drawing alongside my incessant need to be doodling all the time. In doing so, I also explore themes that are at the forefront of my mind: dynamic movement, faith, love, hope, peace, calm.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
Heck yes! I plan to see the world through my art and subsequent messaging. I’ve overcome a lot of adversity in my life and I want to share that triumph while also helping others get through trials of their own.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Ask questions, of course, but realize too that we are all an experiment of one. What works for one person may not work for you. I ask a lot of questions and pick a lot of brains and then filter that through my own journey and experience to get the most out of it.
If you didn’t work in your medium, what would you choose?
Probably something similar like gouache.
Tell us a surprising thing or story about yourself!
I have a lot of interesting life experiences. I speak fluent Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. I lived in China for four years. I also did some dumb stuff and got arrested and sent to prison at 24 years old for selling Ecstasy. I served 26 months in prison and while incarcerated started my first successful entrepreneurial endeavor by drawing portraits for my fellow inmates in graphite. I became known as the portrait guy in the joint and made a good living (for being locked up that is). I got out in 2007 and never went back to my stupid days.
I was also a competitive boxer with 13 fights, winning the 2015 Chicago Golden Gloves in the Masters Division lightweight class. I have run hundreds of races: half marathons, marathons, ultramarathons. My crowning achievements are a 3:03 PR in the 2012 Chicago Marathon. I ran the Boston Marathon twice (2013, 2014). I also ran the coveted and highly selective Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run in 2017. While I still do run often, I also enjoy riding my bike for short and long distances.
First Saturday Corner
Has attending 1stSatArtMarket changed you and/or your art?
It has changed me in a positive way in that I know more artists and more collectors than I did before!
What one take away would you like the public to know about 1stSatArtMarket?
It’s a great place to come and see what is going on in the grassroots art community. These are people who are passionate about making and sharing their creations. It’s a place to have discussions and interactions.
Monica Ortiz
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.
Lauren Luna in the Spotlight
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.
Do have you any big art plans?
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!
Monique Weston in the Spotlight
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.
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
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.
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.
