Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia.
Hi Felicia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up immersed in a blend of country life—riding horses through the creek and barrel racing in penny loafers. Many of my summers were spent in an antique store in the colorful, vibrant Montrose and Houston Heights areas of Houston, alongside my amazingly eccentric artist grandmother, Arah Pearl—the namesake of my gallery.
She was a woman deeply in love with New Mexico, Santa Fe, Taos, and everything those places offered. She admired Georgia O’Keeffe and shared studios with the likes of artist like Andrew Wyeth .Her paintings were rich with Navajo and African American culture—elements she grew up around and intentionally surrounded herself with. She classified her work as “primitive,” yet she was truly a force to be reckoned with. Her art, her lifestyle, and her fearless individuality profoundly inspired my creativity. Time spent with her was always magical, and my artistic efforts were endlessly supported.
Creativity runs deep in my family. My mother, father , aunts, cousins, husband and daughters all possess artistic abilities through various mediums. These influences nurtured and nurture my love of art in countless ways in addition I had the pleasure of obtaining an art degree from St. Thomas University and The Glassel School of art late in life.
It wasn’t until adulthood that I allowed my environment, outside perspectives, and the business of art to dull that magical view I once held. I pushed aside the art that made me happy and tried to fit myself into a box that was never meant for me. It wasn’t until I witnessed my beautiful daughters’ creativity—seeing the world through their eyes—paired with the last five years of running a gallery for others and finally achieving the dream of owning my own, that I began to reclaim that magic.
Today, I am fully embracing the art that brings me joy and slowly rediscovering the feeling I had as a girl—creating simply because it makes me happy. My hope is that this joy translates to others as well. If even one person feels happiness through my work, I am content.
Pearl Gallery is represented as a fine art gallery, yet I refuse to conform any longer. I see fine art in many forms, methods, and expressions—some of which may not traditionally be labeled as “fine art.” Our gallery features a mix of classically trained artists alongside those driven purely by passion and love for their craft, all producing work that is admired and enjoyed by many.
My goal is simple: to bring happiness through art—reflected in our name,
Pearl Gallery: Fine Art and Curated Happiness.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had a variety of struggles, health,a battle with MS , and other , a huge amount of loss, and just life throwing unwanted things my way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have explored a wide range of mediums throughout my artistic journey, including photography, jewelry, painting, bronze, and sculpture. At present, I have returned to my original love—mixed media. I create a collection of small acrylic and gouache paintings and individual elements that come together to form a single, intricate work. Rather than simply painting an image, I build it—constructing a visual narrative one piece at a time.
My work is rooted in places, moments, and objects that have brought me happiness. Each piece serves as an escape, a layered story formed through memory, texture, and intention.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Not everyone will love everything you create, but what matters most is that love is what brings it into existence. Even if that love is only for yourself, the hope is that others will receive it too. And if you are the only one who finds happiness in your work, that still matters. Art is LOVE
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pearlgallerygalveston.com
- Instagram: @pearlgallerygalveston
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1E6sBrMS5i/?mibextid=wwXIfr
