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.
by Kristy Allmon My signature style with Enchanted Photodesign offers a luminous, ethereal view of a widely diverse array of subjects, from personal portraits to hard-edged urban views, from wildflowers to vivid graffiti. Far more than a business name, Enchanted Photodesign describes my approach to photography itself, a highly characteristic expression of my worldview, which creates a unique and immediately recognizable body of work. www.enchantedphotodesign.com 713-320-2713
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
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.
Joel Anderson’s artwork showcases the beauty and versatility of encaustics. With its ability to resemble smooth glass or heavy texture, he layers, embeds, transfers images, and etches to create artwork that pops. JoelAndersonArt.com 713-829-1065
Joel Anderson is a largely self-taught artist specializing in encaustic paintings. He produces his art start-to-finish from hauling 4’x8′ sheets of plywood home and cutting them down, mixing his own encaustic medium, and making his own frames.
Joel’s background is information technology, which he retired from professionally but carries elements of into his artwork.
He is a member artist at Archway Gallery and an active volunteer with the Visual Arts Alliance.
Follow his creative process via his social media accounts:
I am a Houston-based photographer specializing in “found art” – unusual views on everyday objects and locations – with a scavenger aesthetic that is evident both in my subject matter and my framing presentations. Although photography is far and away my primary medium, I also display a number of mixed media and textile repurposed creations. To me, scavenging is the art of nostalgia in a disposable world! Please check out my website at www.jennywilde.com to view my gallery and for more information on my scavenger aesthetic.832-722-7148
Heather Jones Taylor is an artist who works primarily in watercolor and mixed media. She’s known for her bold abstract nudes, whimsical “bird’s the word” creations and vibrant botanicals. For over 20 years she’s worked as a creative lead, writer and PR consultant, promoting and executing a wide range of successful projects all over the world. www.heatherjtaylor.com
