I am an abstract artist based out of Houston. My primary mediums are acrylics and watercolor, and my work is characterized by the use of texture, mixed media, and collage elements. My paintings invite viewers to take a closer look in order to appreciate the tactile components and hidden details, neither of which are immediately evident when each piece is viewed as a whole. I find inspiration in the industrial neighborhood in which I reside, as well as in the cultures, history, and cityscapes I have experienced in my travels. This inspiration is manifested through the colors, textures, geometric themes, and found objects that comprise my body of work.
I’m a self-taught mixed media artist. The human figure is the vehicle that I can most positively represent. I’m fascinated and curious about the solitariness and complexity of human beings. Painting is not just a hobby, it is vital to my life. Feelings are my mirror and inner thoughts are my muse. My palette is filled with the delicious colors of gardens. The reaction to my work is joy and happiness. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m excited and inspired by the welcoming world that surrounds me, a watermelon, a stretch of sand, and beach umbrellas, a fashionable figure, and, yes, all imaginary mermaids. This is how I choose to create my life and my art.
The First Saturday Arts Market is Houston’s first outdoor art show that takes place every first Saturday of the month in Houston’s historic Heights. The market features a wide range of artists and their works of art, most of which includes fine art.
Market founder and manager, Mitch Cohen, and the First Saturday Arts Market (FSAM) artists will be celebrating their 17 year anniversary this weekend at the market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, at 530 W 19th Street. Established in 2004, the market has seen many artists on the roster—many who have been with the market for several years.
“I often laugh that I never expected the market to survive our first Houston summer,” Mitch Cohen, founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market said. “Even after working the market all these years, I still absolutely love it. I think some of the reasons we’re still here is everyone loves a good time and the artists are fun, engaging, and some of Houston’s best.”
Joining the market this weekend will be Texas singer and songwriter, Wendy Elizabeth Jones & Her Texas Roundup; she will perform from 2 to 5 p.m. Over on the food lineup, Good Dog Houston’s food truck will be parked and serving their menu. For beverages, Houston Cider Company and Houston Winery will be selling their latest. The market is located on a large outdoor parking lot with plenty of room for social distancing. This is a free event to attend.
We asked 17 First Saturday Arts Market artists to share with us a few words about why they love the market or a fond memory from over the years. Here’s what they had to say.
Participating artists for 9 years “I told Mitch that when I got ready to relocate to Houston from Ohio, it was his market that would keep coming up on my search for what the art pulse was like in Houston,” Laura Luna said. “I contribute a very large percentage of my success in Houston because of my participation with First Saturday Art Market and the networking through doing so.”
Participating artist for 15 years “No matter what, Mitch and the market is the place I fit in,” Dean Snider said. “It’s like a family and I love our community. It’s tough love sometimes, but they help keep me in my groove.”
Participating artist for 9 years “I love First Saturday Art Market because the set up is easy, there’s a great crowd that takes art seriously, and it’s a fun atmosphere,” Tim Herschbach said. “Market mystery drinks also go down in top memories!”
Participating artist for 4 years “As an artist often trapped in my studio, the market is a wonderful way to get feedback and see
what my patrons love about my work,” Heather Wobbe said. “Our community of artists have endured a lot weather-bound days together, but we celebrate what we’re passionate about.”
Participating artist for 2 years “Mitch helped me get involved in the art community when I moved here in 2018,” Johnny Van Slyke Summers said. “First Saturday Art Market was my first public showing in Houston. It has opened countless opportunities for me all over Texas and even global opportunities. I now have works in Portugal and Greece due to being discovered at the market by patrons visiting the market. I have painted for about 15 years, however, I’ve only been painting full-time for almost three years now. Thanks, Mitch!”
Participating artist for 15 years “This market has a vibe and an energy unlike any other market I’ve ever been a part of,” Steven Sellers said. “Always upbeat, always unique, it’s always a great place to spend a Saturday. Mitch is a tireless advocate for all who participate in his market. He doesn’t seek the spotlight—his drive and focus are solely on promoting his artists.”
Participating artist for 1 year “This is the best market and location in town, right on historic 19th Street,” Craig Butterworth said. “All the artists are really nice and supportive of each other. Mitch has been encouraging from the start, and patient with me, even when I knew nothing.”
Participating artist for 16 years “I did my first ever art market back in 2006,” Devayani Vaishnav said. “The support I received from Mitch when I was starting out was amazing. Even still, his energy for the art market is the exact same and I feel greatful to be part of the market.”
Participating artist for 7 years “I love First Saturday Art Market because it taught me step by step how to be successful on the show circuit,” Lisa Morales said. “From booth set up, to inventory, to customer service, I learned it all by participating in FSAM. I think the reason this show has been successful for 17 years is Mitch’s dedication to consistently producing a quality event. Being an artist himself, he has a unique perspective. He is our fearless leader, our biggest cheerleader and I couldn’t imagine the Houston art scene without him.”
Participating artist for 4 years “I love First Saturday Art Market because it is a venue which is within three miles of the urban woods where most of my photos are taken,” Penny Rae Robinson said. “I enjoy helping people see Houston’s beautiful natural surroundings that are just around the corner. I enjoy getting to know our wonderful customers and the other artists who bring their best work every month. The market is well run and very supportive to both emerging and veteran artists. It is a lot of fun!”
Participating artist for 9 years “I love our commodore, Mitch Cohen,” Arthur Deatly said. “Mitch knows I wont have a beer unless I’ve sold something. So instead of asking how my sales are, he asks if I’m ready for a beer.”
Participating artist for 10 years “I enjoy the wonderful artists and their variety and the upbeat feeling the market brings,” Jack Connelly said. “The enthusiastic and loyal customers are great. The market is always colorful and lively, and I meet new interesting folks every time. My artist blood is renewed by each show with new energy to keep creating more quality artwork. Mitch does a great job organizing the show, which is good for us artists. He is always making us laugh!”
Participating artist for 10 years “One of the main attractions of any city is always a market of some kind,” Monique Weston said. “Locals and visitors go there to shop, and also to see daily life, hear the chatter among locals, and feel the heartbeat of the city. A market, especially outdoors, framed by the local businesses and architecture, expresses a city’s personality. First Saturday Arts Market reflects an openness
that is one of the best qualities Houston has to offer. As a fairly young city, originally built along practical lines, our best experience to offer visitors is our hospitality – our food and events. FSAM reflects Houston’s laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, and some of our best food trucks. Walking through the market, people can chat with the artists, not just representatives. It’s an experience very different from a gallery, or even a ticketed art festival. First Saturday Arts Market gives me the invaluable experience of seeing first-hand how people, especially fellow Houstonians, react to my artwork. Those conversations shape my work directly, in a way no other outlet can. Every big city has its own sense of style, and FSAM’s friendly, informal atmosphere sparks those conversations that shape our aesthetic sense. Seeing people of all ages walking through the market over the years, it’s nice to know that kids growing up visiting FSAM have direct access to artists who work in different media – they ask us about materials, process, our education and just what it’s like to live as an artist. And every now and then at FSAM I hear a young person say, ‘This is the first piece of art I’ve ever bought!’”
Participating artist for 12 years “Mitch was the face of the warm Houston hospitality that was my first impression of the Houston art community in 2007,” Caroline Z. Marcos said. “He was encouraging and supportive—always generous with information and ideas for a successful art career. I took a break from the festival, started a family, and came back recently. I love the First Saturday Art Market community. They share ideas and are generous with resources. Mitch organizes a great market.”
Participating artist for 5 years “First Saturday Art Market is such a fun environment and experience,” Angela Rose Walling said. “The people are so nice and it’s always a pleasure to see everyone’s reaction to my artwork. I always do really well on selling. I feel like I am around my peeps when at the market.”
Participating artist for 2 years “At my very first show, I didn’t know who anyone was at the market,” Kerry Hastings Hogan said. “A super nice lady came into my booth and bought the first painting that I ever sold to anyone that wasn’t a friend or family member. She loved the painting and even took my picture with her holding the painting. My husband Chris found out it was Mitch’s girlfriend, Lynn, that had purchased the painting. When Mitch came around later in the evening, Chris grabbed him and said, ‘Hey, Kerry is so excited that she sold her first painting and it was your girlfriend that bought it!’ What we didn’t know, was that Lynn had bought the painting for Mitch, and we had spoiled the surprise. Sorry, Mitch. It is still one of my favorite paintings.”
With the exception of Tim Herschbach, each of these artists will be showing their art this weekend at First Saturday Art Market. Find a link to their art images linked under each name.
Wendy Elizabeth Jones is a soulful Texas Singer Songwriter with a Roots & Americana flare crossing genres offering a taste of Rock ‘N’ Roll, Motown, Country, Folk and Blues. She has lived and performed all over and is currently based in her hometown, Houston, TX. Wendy offers a lively energetic performance whether you catch her in a solo show or her full band.
Coming from an artistic family I’ve always had a knack for drawing and have occasionally dabbled with other artistic pursuits throughout my life. My formal education and career path, however, focused on biology and environmental education, with a gradual shift from managing educational programming to producing publications. While those skill sets remain in my toolbox, I’ve recently begun taking classes at MFAH’s Glassell Studio School and am now focused on my education and development as a fine artist. Many of my early works were bound up in representing what IS…highly realistic representations of physical objects, animals, plants, and people. Recently I’ve worked to expand my horizons, loosening up in both style and ideation. Currently, my works are often nature-inspired, sometimes figurative and realistic, other times abstract or conceptual. I’m an emerging artist, learning, experimenting, and exploring the realm of what is possible and unbound by adherence to any particular media, technique, or subject matter. Maybe one day I’ll settle in to a marketable artistic “brand” but for now, I thrive on variety.
My photography of the natural world ranges from the realistic to the abstract, from monotone to soft saturations to luminous color. I often explore the boundary between photography and painting. My approach is not uniform; I begin with what each scene offers and create what works best for that image. Some images simply rely on the power of their existing form, light, and shadow. As the image allows, I layer in interpretations evoking pointillism, watercolor, abstractions hidden in natural details, or other artistic references.
Concrete sculptor Stephanie Shroyer from Schulenburg Texas blends her two loves. Using leaves from her garden she creates Birdbath‘s, Fountains and serving pieces in concrete. Expressing her whimsical side with another technique she calls concrete couture, she creates playful sculptures both artistic and functional.
On the winding pathway of her life, artist Stephanie Shroyer seeks beauty that lasts.
As a child, she helped her dad make stunning jewelry from rocks they found on hikes. When Stephanie attended a Houston high school, her art teacher urged her to interpret different media in her own way. A retired oilman challenged Stephanie to turn her back on stereotypes and plot a personal, distinctive direction with her art.
For some years, Stephanie worked with mosaics, gluing small pieces of glass, china or tile or other materials to different surfaces. Her customers treasured her imaginative one-of-a-kind pieces.
Then one of those life-changing moments occurred.
A few of the unfinished concrete bowls Stephanie set out in her yard filled with rainwater. Leaves drifting down from the surrounding native pecans gradually stained the blank slate of manmade material in rich, organic shades of brown. A student of nature, she admired how the bowls added character while blending quietly into their outdoor environment.
Those observations triggered Stephanie’s pursuit of concrete art, a rigorous, self-taught process. It often begins in the garden where she picks leaves, the bigger, the better. Stephanie has developed a deft touch while handling the hefty sacks of concrete that she mixes meticulously. The greenery often winds up as ingenious one-of-a-kind concrete birdbaths, fountains, wall hangings, pots or yard art that delight her customers.
As Stephanie’s concrete creations continue to evolve, some have taken more sophisticated, enigmatic forms of people, animals and whimsical creatures from her imagination.
Stephanie also adores teaching kids’ art classes. As a session winds up, a young participant sometimes shyly confides, “When I grow up, I want to be an artist like you.”
“If you love art and love creating things, you’re already an artist,” Stephanie tells the child, recognizing that the young person is taking more than a craft home from the workshop.
Never stagnant or trite, Stephanie’s art reflects the caring, humble woman who pursues joy with her heart and her hands. What flight-of-fancy will capture her imagination next?
