With decades of hands-on experience, several design skills, and a love of uplifting others, the creator of Novel Arts and Crafts LLC, Jom Kirkland, decided to use them to create meaningful gifts and one-of-a-kind products to ensure that her customers will own one of the unique pieces that are not in mass production. Color and pattern may vary. She designs all handmade jewelry products and combines different elements for your unique style, from genuine freshwater pearls to natural and reconstituted gemstones, healing crystals, and lava rocks, which can be used with essential oils to create a special way of gift-giving for everyone.
My Latin American origins heavily influence my work. I pay homage in all my paintings to the diversity of the women in the world, including indigenous people, artists, and the everyday fighter. My work is colorful and often includes hidden words, messages, and poems I wrote to give each piece a unique feel and a deeper meaning. My goal is that every piece brings color and history to their future forever home.
Love of art has always been a major part of my life. Growing up in a remote area in Lebanon, I spent my childhood on hillsides entertaining myself by using natural environment to make art, creating miniature villages using twigs, mud, pebbles, seashells and other flotsam. Bullet casings and exploded shrapnel afforded excellent miniature construction material. I started my career as a molecular biologist, but I never gave up art, filling up any free time creating something. After taking my first class in ceramics 10+ years ago, I fell in love and decided to give it 100% of my attention. Turning mud into a mug involves physics, chemistry, and cognitive constructional abilities, yet is ultimately controlled by the unpredictable whims of the kiln gods, … and playing with clay is cheaper than psychotherapy. I replaced scientific experimentation with experimentation with clay. I am constantly trying new techniques, materials, and glazes, giving rise to my eclectic style. There will always be something new and different in my collection. You can view current works by following me on Instagram or my website.
I am an artist who is also a singer, songwriter, and award-winning writer and producer in the entertainment industry. I love the canvas because to me it represents a clean slate for inner expression.
I work with acrylics, oils, or gouache and create works pulled from emotions and thoughts from my love of the world we live on and the Universe we live within.
I believe the Universe is an ever-expanding colorful force of life and I try to allow the thoughts and feelings of mindful, passionate creativity to flow into my canvases. While visiting my gallery at First Saturday Arts Market or my online profile, I hope that you can sit, breathe, look at my paintings and see what emotions/moods it inspires in you.
Melinda is a First Saturday Arts Market “alumni.” One of her paintings was featured on the market flyers and she did quite a bit of the market’s graphic design work. Her dry wit comes through in her answers here, enjoy.
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
Outside the art world? I didn’t know there was such a place. But ok. There is family, which for me is Little League and mutton-bustin’ at the rodeo. I’m fortunate to no longer be required to have an outside to the art world so I can work every day in peace.
How did your art journey begin?
My journey began before most of you were born. My artist grandfather put a brush in my hand, gave me paint and demanded “Paint.” There was no turning back. It continued through public school and several years at the Houston Museum of Fine Art Scholarship Class. Every Friday in the basement. You never heard of it before, right? Preceded Glassell.
Where are you now with your art?
As I said, I paint every day. Sell a lot online and sometimes get offers I can’t ignore. The biggest so far is painting mural designs for a public art company in L.A. I paint a large canvas and they enlarge the image, print it and install it in Walmart stores. So far I’ve done three. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it pays.
More of the same and more exposure. I want to be the painter whose art my great grandkids will find stuffed in the attic and when they get it appraised, it’s worth a fortune. Like on Antiques Roadshow.
Tell us what’s next and where to find you.
More more more of the same. More murals, maybe a show or two and more amazing offers. I’m doing most of my painting in the Hill Country outside of Marble Falls. Find me on the usual social media, my website and a few online galleries such as Artfinder and Saatchiart. And to see it in person, visit Primal Gallery in Dripping Springs. Tell Joe I sent you and he’ll give you a discount. And it’s the only place to see my nudes.
Bonus Question! Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
No photos please, but many years ago I spent time at a nude beach outside of San Francisco. Carlos Santana saw me naked.
Najia Omer’s mixed media paintings draw profound inspiration from her cultural roots, having grown up in Pakistan. Infusing her canvases with gold-thread stitching, she intricately portrays women as origami birds in her artwork. These visual narratives become a reflection of aspirations and the pursuit of dreams, creating a unique tapestry that beautifully weaves together culture and personal journey.
Rory Jagdeo performs at an early First Saturday Arts Market
Everyone loves a good story. Thanks for sharing yours! Anything you’d like to share! I may use your story in my newspaper column in The Leader news, online or in press releases. Photos would be amazing, Email photos here.
Thank you so much! For participating and for 20 Freaking Years! Cheers! Mitch
I will honor your privacy request. I only ask for an email if clarifications are needed. I’ll let you know where your story ends up too.
