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.
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
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/
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.
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.
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.
The Mosaic Series started in 2013 with the “Mosaic Elephant” and is constantly evolving. When creating each animal, I move fluidly through the process with sensitivity to the way I am feeling: every line, color, and texture is made focusing on the energy that encompasses me at the time. Further, patterns naturally form and create a rhythm within the animal. The overall composition is balanced with the focal point on the animal(s) as the primary subject in the artwork. When creating, I let the product naturally unfold before my eyes revealing many truths about my interworking subconscious. The animals are metaphors for things that are going on in my life. I love the contrast with the black background, it brings the animal to life – as if it was leaping out at you! Every painting is created with acrylic paint. Commissions are welcomed!
“If I could choose one thing to do for the rest of my life-this would be it! Nothing else comes close!” I wish you-LOVE.
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
“My goal is to bring the beauty of plants, trees and other natural places to my artwork so that I can share that with others. My hope is that my art might help another person connect with the natural world so that he or she can appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day. I use a variety of techniques and media to bring my work to life!” ~Angie Spears
