Bayou City Artists...Part 2

And here's Part 2 of the Houston artist write-up. There will also be other artists from around the Houston Metro, so don't miss them either. The complete list of artists is here.


The canvas works of Ray Phillips tell tales of both struggle and redemption. Layering many images together, the contemporary artist creates finished pieces with a gritty, urban feel. Trained at the Glassell School, Phillips has worked in both the musica and graphics industries. Ceramic artist John Whitman's goal is to make "pottery with a presence." Creating stoneware pottery since 1988, Whitman creates bowls, jars, pitchers, and other items that stand out from the usual crowd.

A man after my own heart, former Mechanical Engineer Eric Ober traded the world of pumps and pulleys for sculpture in 1999. His works include everything from large, outdoor installations to wall sculpture to his signature series (pictured). Kevin Peterson's art will make you think...in a good way. Placing images of children alongside stacks of bullets and graffiti, his works are strong and rich. He uses many different textures and 3D elements to make his paintings come alive.

I can say from experience that these artists are top notch. I had the pleasure of speaking with and viewing Kevin Peterson's art at the 2007 Winter Sale at the Winter Street Studios. I've also been a patron of the Bayou City Art Festival for about 6 years, and it keeps getting better. With all these Houston artists plus many more from the Houston Metro, we can definitely say to the art world that Houston is where it's at!

The Festival runs from 10:00am - 5:45pm on Friday, March 28 - Sunday, March 30 each day. Tickets are $10 for adults ($8 in advance from the website), and children under 12 are admitted free. And with a performances and a cool Creative Zone especially for kids, you can make art a family affair!

Hope to see you there. Cheers.

Bayou City Artists...Part 1

Since the Festival is this weekend, I thought I'd share a bit about the other Houston artists that will be represented. Three of the artists, Chuck Brush (metal), Mark Cole (pastels), and Yu Cha Pak (watercolor), didn't have websites, so you'll have to research them on your own. As for the rest...



Coco Easterwood paints what's in her head...shadowy-eyed girls to abstracts to bicycles. She has her own Gallery on Washington Avenue, where she displays her works and does other "useful" things. If you're into aquatics, check out John Barber's metal fish sculptures. A craftsman for over 35 years, John has a sculpture degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. In addition to his art, he has done welding work for the HMNS.

Kim Enloe of My Mother's Inventions has a unique way of finding amazement in our beloved Houston concrete. Perhaps his work as residential builder/designer influenced his eye, or perhaps he just takes time to notice the little things. Far flung from her day-job as a webmaster, Margaret Miller paints Impressionist landscapes and abstracts full of life and color. Not too far flung, though...she spent her childhood wandering the halls of the National Gallery of Art in Wachington, D.C. and her college years at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Art, it seems, has always been a part of her.

Part 2 tomorrow. Cheers.

EUTECTIC jewelry at the Bayou City Arts Festival

I know it's a little bit short notice, but I just found out myself on Friday that I'll be demonstrating how to make jewelry at the Bayou City Arts Festival this weekend, March 28 - 30.


I will be set up near the Food Court (site map) on Friday - Sunday from 10am - 5:45pm. I'll be making jewelry for the new EUTECTIC Spring/Summer 2008 collection and demonstrating techniques while making small charm hoops from base metal wire. I'll be making LOTS of hoops, so come by and pick up a free pair!

Cheers.

"Spring has sprung" - the new EUTECTIC Spring/Summer Collection is here

As I said in the last post, I've been working on some new EUTECTIC jewelry for the Spring/Summer 2008. I made these postcards to hand out and thought I'd share...


The Spring/Summer 2008 collection is all about color. Check out the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2007 and you'll see lots of orange, green, and pink was predicted for this season (based on various designer runway collections). One look at the fashion mags and the department stores will confirm this prediction. So in keeping with the spirit of fashion, I've included some new multi-color schemes in my designs as well as some new shapes. I've also added new pieces to the "a rare thing" Etsy shop.

It's been a beautiful few weeks here in Houston...celebrate with some color (and some new jewelry!). Cheers.

Crawling lessons

No update since December, hmph. Seems like I'm an expert at crawling under rocks...if anyone needs lessons, I'm willing to teach. :) Actually, there are a few good reasons why I've been absent:

1. The Christmas season was a killer! I had planned to take the entire month of January off after all the shows and events of the last few months.
2. I found out in January that I was pregnant (due August 1st). I proceeded to develop a bad case of fatigue and spent my month of vacation lying on my couch taking naps. I feel much better now, and other than the tiredness, I've felt fine throughout. We found out early this month that we're having a girl, and my husband and I are quite excited.
   
3. I got the flu in February and spent about two weeks recovering from that.

Whew! So since then, I've gotten back in the studio & come up with some new jewelry designs, and I've resumed my search for new and cool handmade things here in the Houston area. I will tell you that I am going to amend my original idea of posting every day and drop it back to at least once per week. I will probably take another break between July and August, though I'm sure once life with a baby settles out a bit, I'll resume some of my work.

I do have a few things to post about now, but I'll do them in separate posts b/c they're not realy related and I don't want this one to be too long.

Happy Monday! Cheers