I’m an old hippie whose jewelry making began 20 years ago when on a dare my wife signed me up for a beginner beading class at a local bead shop. I was hooked pretty quickly and began making women’s jewelry using silver, stone and crystal beads and constantly learning techniques to make better pieces. While beading is still a passion, most of my work now is with chain and wire wrap.
Five years ago on yet another dare, I began making rings from old silver coins. I don’t cut or solder the coins. One coin makes one ring and the detail from both sides of the coin is preserved and visible. I fell in love with working metal, and am constantly learning new techniques and exploring the boundaries of turning old coins into cool jewelry. Taking something like a 100-year-old coin and turning it into something it was never intended to be has been an unbelievably rewarding journey, and I love that the possibilities are endless.
All natural exquisite henna tattoos painted on skin freehand by myself, a third-generation Henna Artist, it will surely leave you mesmerized. Also, you will see a beautiful display of unique and intricate painting done with Henna and acrylic on canvas, glass, and gourds with vibrant colors. www.hennacompany.com
Peculiar Sentiments boasts of completely unique, handcrafted leather cuffs, bib necklaces, and a variety of jewelry and accessories made from repurposed and found items. Though some of our jewelry features unique new pieces, our love is for vintage jewelry, antique buttons, repurposed hardware, pocket watch parts, clock pieces or any other re-loved and re-discovered treasures, clustered together for a vintage look. Each piece carries its own delightful story. Every cuff is unique, featuring focal pieces carefully selected and clustered into an exquisite work of wearable art. www.PeculiarSentiments.cominstagram.com/peculiarsentiments 936-870-6993
An artisan, photographer and entrepreneur, Natalie has been creating unique designs since she was 13 years old. Repurposing anything and everything from jewelry, furniture, clothing, and even recipes, Natalie’s driving passion is to turn something old and loved into something new and beautiful, while preserving the heart and soul of the original piece.
In October 2012, Natalie launched her business, Peculiar Sentiments. Creatively combining her only available resources: her courage and creativity, a stock of remnant leather, and vintage jewelry from her late grandmother she began creating unique handcrafted cuff bracelets. Encouraged by her family, friends, and customers, Natalie began expanding her repertoire beyond cuff bracelets, to include bib necklaces, earrings, hats, and much more.
David Mercado is an artist who resides in Austin, Texas. In the beginning, his imagery focused on the beauty, strength, and movement of hummingbirds—a series that gained him national recognition by their popularity. As his career progressed, however, an exciting new abstract collection emerged which illustrated not only his range as an artist, but showcased the evolution of depth and complexity within his work.
It is the striking imagery of Mercado’s latest venture, however, which reveals a much more personal side of the artist. His “Virgen de Guadalupe” series gives a profoundly intimate glimpse into the faith and heritage which have inspired him. The series unveils an incredible transformation of traditional, iconic imagery into complex, abstract renderings of the Virgin’s image onto board, paper, and furniture pieces. Mercado’s style flawlessly blends the old and new to produce this new intriguing mix of vivid, soul-jarring, and contemporary pieces. @davidmercadoatxEmail David
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.
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:
My medium is a varied mix of tiny shells, scraps of paper, slivers of glass, thick gel mediums, crusted gouache additives, creamy acrylic and globs of oil paints, traces of watercolor and melted wax crayons combined with hardened enamels and carefully chosen 14kt gold flake.
Every piece is original and every creation is an unpredictable surprise! I create with a clear heart, no expectations. The materials combined together create a resist-like reaction and the results are different every time…..each piece is genuinely unique and original!
I’m passionate about living the artful life. I have a great appreciation for nature and animals,20% of all sales goes to S.N.A.P. (Spay and Neuter Assistance Program) for animals. I am also an active advocate for the “Adopt Don’t Shop!” movement which means finding forever homes for our homeless furry friends.
Love color and black and white. I fluctuate between the two which helps keep my paintings fresh. Nothing makes me happier then when people smile when they see my art.
Diane Fifer is a professional artist and is the Owner/President of Art Dwellers. She has taught art in a full time and part time capacity over the past seventeen years. Through this teaching experience she has an understanding that anyone can create art with a little instruction. Diane was President/Director of Friendswood Fine Arts for three years until she resigned in 2012 to start Art Dwellers. Diane loves teaching and creating art, but more importantly loves to help other artists succeed in their artistic endeavors.
Presently she shows her own work at Affaire d’Art in Galveston, participates in art shows, puts on art shows and art competitions, is teaching stained glass at a local middle school, and holds art classes throughout the year in Friendswood. She continues to bring art into her community by painting for the City of Friendswood, as well as painting murals for businesses in the area. She has been written up in Coast Magazine and in Life is Good Magazine. Diane lives near Houston with her husband of 25 years. She has two grown children.
Bonnie Blue lives for art and can be traced back to her early childhood. She has always been passionate about painting and drawing and her upbringing in Houston’s vibrant art scene has only fueled her passion. Her unique, whimsy style has won her many accolades and recognition from local art communities. She has even had her art featured on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Her iconic “women rock “artcar has received many awards. Bonnie’s art can be seen in numerous galleries and homes throughout the Houston/Galveston area. Her motto “art that makes you smile “ certainly describes her work quite well. www.womenthatrocks.com 713-649-6931
My work is painted and designed with many shapes and colors to express biblical stories and natural life in an abstract cubist style. My inspiration is not of this world. http://www.artistandy.com 713.291.7533
