Much of my work today focuses on exploring ways to express the different “seasons” in the circle of life through the use of texture and color. Thus, the symbolism I find in candles, dragonflies, ravens, rust, etc. Art is a wonderful healer. After my youngest daughter died, it was a challenge to work through my feelings of love, loss, grief and anger in a constructive way – to pour it all out on canvas instead of bottling it up inside. While I still think of her every day, life goes on as we continue to place one foot in front of the other. Art is a journey and the road I travel will always be reflected in my work.
For many years I painted in oils, pastels and gouache. I still paint in oil, but am currently enamored with acrylics. The versatility of acrylics inspires me to explore its many techniques and avenues of expression. I’m always thinking about my next project.
Varied styles ranging from military/aviation, surreal/sci-fi, realism and abstract paintings. Detail-oriented works composed of oil and acrylic on canvas. (Bio below)
Market manager Mitch Cohen interviewed Jack for his arts column in The Leader Newspaper. Read it here!
From the thriving city of Houston, Texas, Jack Connelly is an artist whose passion is capturing history, action, wonder and imagination on canvas. Jack has been creating art since the moment he could lift a pencil, and has been an active participant in the professional art world for about 35 years.
In Jack’s opinion, painting is one of the most unrestricted and freeing forms of expression. Most of his pieces are created in acrylic and/or oil paint, although Jack has extensive experience with watercolor, graphite, and mixed media as well.
In the 1980’s and 1990’s, Jack took on a nomadic lifestyle as a full-time art show vendor, displaying his art in an average of three to four shows a week in the South Texas area. Jack has also taught several art classes in the past (and wishes to teach more in the future), and enjoys sharing his knowledge, experience, and guidance with others in order for them to learn and practice painting, as well as develop their art skills and techniques.
Jack Connelly’s styles include (but not limited to) military & aviation, sci-fi, surrealism, realism, impressionism, and abstract art.
Commission paintings are regularly requested and are a major part of Jack’s art career. Many of Jack’s commissions have been for veterans or their families, in hopes of passing down their legacy and honor those who have served their country. He loves to take memories, events, dreams, ideas, etc. and bring them to life on canvas. This gives him the ability to share his passion with others while providing for them a unique keepsake; their personal story told in paint and filled with detail, never to be forgotten.
Each work of art begins with the glass. When I see a piece of glass, it inspires me to create a certain subject. From that inspiration, I find other glass to compliment it . Once all the pieces are collected, I develop a design, then I really go to work. Each piece of glass is carefully hand cut and the edges are prepared to attach it to the copper. Once the glass is in place the background is decoratively soldered to create a texture that enhances the glass. Then all the metal work is finished in a copper patina.
My passion is and will always be art. I believe everyone should have some form of art in their lives. Whether you create it, collect it or just go out and appreciate it. Â www.debwightstudios.com
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 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.
Nationally published photographer who captures nature’s small but wondrous subjects in gorgeous, natural light! I mainly photograph flowers, beautiful insects, dew drops, and occasionally Grizzly Bears. ledbythelightme.com 713.247.9388
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I’ve been enjoying nature photography for about 15 years. I have ventured twice to Alaska to photograph Grizzly Bears, but I’m most comfortable capturing the small beauty in nature via macro photography. I photograph my subjects such as flowers, beautiful insects, and dew in gorgeous, natural light!
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.
Unique hand forged and oxidized jewelry. fLuxe Jewelry flirts with a balance between soft and edgy forms and is inspired by many styles, including art deco, Aztec pottery, & modern graphic design. fLuxe Jewelry is a line made from copper sheet metal and patina chemicals. Soft, playful colors compliment the sharp, geometric edges. 713.299.6286 fLuxeJewelry.com
