My work is inspired by the things that inspire me personally, which are many and varied. As a geoscientist, rocks and stones are almost always my main source of inspiration, especially incredibly well-cut stones from independent lapidary artists.
However, design itself is another influence on my pieces. Bringing shapes, textures, and color together in unexpected ways and the desire to bring jewelry away from the body is, currently, a major influence. In addition to the many things and ideas that inspire me, I want my jewelry to evoke quiet refinement and sophistication while being interesting and wearable. To achieve this, I use minimal styling incorporating clean lines, subtle texturing, and careful attention to finish. My work is set apart by the use of tactile design and 3D elements, like texturing flat silver then manipulating it into domes and folds. It’s comfortable and wearable, but still different enough to incite questions like “Where did you get that?”
Macro Splash: We create these singular shapes through the collision of water, cream, paint, or ink droplets. Their various shapes and colors depend on the temperature, viscosity, gravity, density, and volume of the liquids we use. We work with black acrylic or pan filled with liquid in order to reflect the splash. Due to the laws of physics, the end result is often the opposite of what you’d expect.
Mega Splash: Our mega splashes, often called “jelly fish”, because they look like a form of marine creatures, are carried out by propelling water mixed with inks or/and paint of different colors, using a compressor. These water sculptures flow in the air to 6 or 8 feet high. The different shapes are obtained by modifying pressure and the pipe of water supply, which allows breaking the original shape of the “jelly fish” into fairy tale flowers for example. Under pressure, the water extracts the dies which will color the water column. The crystal appearance and the magical transparency looks like the work of a glassblower.
Fluid Painting: In the pouring acrylic painting technique, the paint is not applied with a brush or palette knife, but rather use gravity to move the paint across a surface by tilting it. The results are unlike anything you can get with a brush. The fluid flows without any brush marks or texture. We take macro photography of this psychedelic paint while it still wet and alive by choosing the best swirls. Things always look so different once dry. Our technique: Our splash photographs reveal unique liquid sculptures, created by the collision of water, cream, paint, or ink droplets or by using gravity to move the paint across a surface by tilting it. These liquids in motion are frozen in time by a high-speed flash of light. Our art prints are created with a dye sublimation process on aluminum so the colors become a magical luminescence.
Yes, It’s paper! My collage process begins when I paint and texture paper of all kinds to create my “palette.” At any given time I have over 1,000 sheets of painted paper in every hue. Papers will include sheet music, sandwich wrappers, dictionary pages, etc. The paper is torn by hand and placed individually. Take a closer look. You might find a piece of poetry or a technical drawing hiding in plain sight. www.LisaMoralesMixedMedia.com 713-240-1227
I am a professionally trained artist having earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Houston. Since then I have continued practicing my craft exploring various styles, materials and techniques creating highly detailed pieces. While my work is diverse both in choice of medium and subject matter, it centers around nature and organic forms.
I create remarkable jewelry from antique and vintage architectural elements, including hinges, keyholes, chandelier parts and doorbells. I also repurpose musical instruments, clock-parts, vintage tools and postage stamps. I search high and low for castoff pieces of the past, then reinvent them. I frame them in classical jewelry settings, to highlight their hidden and often unintended beauty. The result is a striking and adventurous synthesis of industrial strength, history and glamour.
Valerie Gudell, 3D mixed media artist, was born in NYC. She currently works in Houston, TX, where she creates assemblage art as well as vinyl and clay creatures with unique and sometimes complex personalities. Her main artistic influences include the Steampunk genre, Asian culture, and street art.
During the past few years, Valerie has shown her work at the Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, CA), Irving Arts Center (Irving, TX), ShockBoxx Gallery (Hermosa Beach, CA), CraftBoston, d’Art Center (Norfolk, VA), and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (San Angelo, TX). She has shown her work locally at the First Saturday Arts Market, Ardest Gallery, Texas Art Asylum, Winter Street Studios, and Art Museum TX. Her work has been featured in the Houston Press, Culturemap, The Leader, the LA Beat, and the OC Register, among others. Valerie is currently an artist at Hardy and Nance Studios (Houston, TX).
Zen Morris-VMGWater Rabbit-VMGRudo-VMGRabbitmonsters-VMGJellybean Monsters-VMGJellybean Monsters-VMGGarbage Party or HOA Meeting
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.
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.
Acrylic, House Paint, Mixed Media, Collage, etc. on Wood, Canvas, Metal, Board, Found Pieces, etc., and Found Object Sculpture. Basically, whatever I can lay my hand to. I can do a lot with a little. 346-377-8664 @deantsnider
