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.
Lauren has always exemplified a successful independant artist. Her “other” profession is teaching, and as you’re about to read, Lauren definitely practices what she teaches. Keep an eye on her, if you can keep up!
Armed with just a palette knife and some oil paint, Lauren Luna explores the urban center of Houston. Capturing the hustle and bustle of the city, well-known landmarks, and hidden gems; its vibrancy and it’s energy. A regular overheard comment is, “You make the city, pretty!”
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio; moved to New York City after graduating from Kent State University with a bachelors in Fine Arts. I worked briefly at Bloomingdales in Visual Design, before starting my 20+ year teaching career. While teaching I went back to school and earned a Masters of Science in Special Education, had a son, moved back to Ohio, got married, got divorced, started a second Master’s degree program, moved to Houston, and completed my degree program to earn a Masters of Fine Arts. I’ve lived in a lot of places, I speak Spanish, I don’t like rude people. I’ve been told I have a “loud face”, meaning what I don’t say, is written all over my face. I’m back to working out and losing weight. Art is my life!
How did your art journey begin?
My earliest memories of art involve my mother and her garden. In Ohio, where I’m from, the soil is heavy with clay. My mom would landscape our yard, and in doing so, would dig up clumps of clay, which I would then sculpt into different things. Thankfully my parents were very supportive in my artistic inclinations, and signed me up for art classes, camps, etc, and by the age of nine, I knew I wanted to be a professional artist.
What are you doing with your art right now?
Working on a couple of commission projects. One of which is a 22′ x 14′ glass mural that will be installed outside Dallas. I am also giving talks about being a professional artist and all the many things it includes.
Do you have big plans/goals for the future?
I believe I may be doing some traveling this summer. Basically all my goals are art related and being self- sufficient with it. Once you work for yourself, it’s very hard to go back to working for someone else.
I’m working on getting more of my work and merchandise mainstreamed.
Bonus Round!
If you didn’t work in your medium, what would you choose?
Maybe clay. I took several classes in high school and college sculpting clay.
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Do not give up. Make sure you have a way to support yourself, but keep making art at the same time.
Bonus Question! Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
When I had a custom shoe line, I had a lot of celebrity clientele. LL Cool J, Pherrell Williams, Raekwon from Wu Tang Clan, Angela Simmons, just to name a few.
First Saturday Arts Market Corner
Lauren made her first appearance at the market the summer of 2012. Has attending 1stSatArtMarket changed you and/or your art? When I was deciding where to relocate, First Saturday Art Market would keep coming up within my research of Houston. It was partially the reason I ended up moving here. Connecting with Mitch has proven beneficial because of his vast network of art folks and not to mention the connections made with the regulars at the market.
What one take away would you like the public to know about 1stSatArtMarket? Setting up and tear down of our booths is extremely laborious. But we come every month just for YOU!
Do you have any inspiring, incredible sales or connection stories you can share? One December a man was chatting away on his phone, and came into my booth, looked around and walked back out. Came back about ten minutes later and said, “I want that, that and that!” Definitely a great day!
In creating my pieces, I want viewers to feel them as much as they see them. I combine realistic images with the elemental use of color and texture. I strive to induce a feeling that renders words somewhat inadequate.
Valerie Gudell, 3D mixed media artist, was born in NYC. She currently works in Houston, TX, where she creates assemblage art as well as vinyl and clay creatures with unique and sometimes complex personalities. Her main artistic influences include the Steampunk genre, Asian culture, and street art.
During the past few years, Valerie has shown her work at the Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, CA), Irving Arts Center (Irving, TX), ShockBoxx Gallery (Hermosa Beach, CA), CraftBoston, d’Art Center (Norfolk, VA), and the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (San Angelo, TX). She has shown her work locally at the First Saturday Arts Market, Ardest Gallery, Texas Art Asylum, Winter Street Studios, and Art Museum TX. Her work has been featured in the Houston Press, Culturemap, The Leader, the LA Beat, and the OC Register, among others. Valerie is currently an artist at Hardy and Nance Studios (Houston, TX).
Zen Morris-VMGWater Rabbit-VMGRudo-VMGRabbitmonsters-VMGJellybean Monsters-VMGJellybean Monsters-VMGGarbage Party or HOA Meeting
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!
My technique is meticulous, obsessive, chaotic yet organized and is in every way, just like me. I bring excitement with color, a sense of flow with texture and the intention to provide joy and delight for the viewer. I have chosen one rule as a guideline to my technique, to create any color, texture, line…from tiny strokes. It is my version of pointillism with a twist and the added energy of spontaneous abstract forms. This technique is as much a part of me as every cell in my body. http://www.mmelgar.com
I’ve been creative since I was little although I didn’t get into painting until my early adulthood. I’ve lived about 1/3 of my life in Mexico and the other 3rds in the U.S. My parents liked to move a lot when I was little. I believe this constant moving has made me adaptable and has given me a great confidence when dealing with expected and unexpected changes in my life.
I moved to Houston in June of 2009. Prior to that I had lived in San Antonio for about 15 years! The longest I’ve lived anywhere. One thing I’ve loved about Texas is the sunsets. Although I don’t get inspired to imitate nature per se because I mostly paint abstract now, the feelings I get when looking at the beauty in our world does give me the motivation to create something beautiful of my own.
I’ve been doodling since I can remember and now I doodle with paint on a canvas. I come up with a random form/image/design that I first doodle and from those sketches or doodles I pick what I feel will look good as a painting. When I start a painting I have a general idea about colors and an idea from the sketch what it may look like. However with paint, my doodles do all kinds of things that are unexpected and it’s always exciting to see the final result!
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.
D & B Funky Creations makes fun, colorful Mexican Folk Art with a twist. We create unique colorful art that celebrate life & death with recycled, up-cycled & everything in between. From paper mache masks to multi-sized figures and paintings; there’s a funky creation for everyone! facebook.com/DBFunkyCreations
