Houston has always had an artistic soul. The culture and heritage of our city, like most great cities, owes a tremendous debt to the arts community. Supporting local art is something we care deeply about and we’d like to do everything we can to help the local arts community thrive. Unfortunately, too often media attention is monopolized by corporate interests and tabloid gossip – but culture doesn’t come from a focus on celebrity breakups it comes from a focus on the arts.
Below, you’ll find some incredible artists from in and around Stafford that we hope you will check out, follow and support.
Tay Nance
I go around encouraging others of the importance of gaining an education, training not only their mind but their body to get them into the best position they can be in. In my photography, I envision of places and object to create the best photo, the best angles, etc. I inspire to prove it doesn’t matter your background; you have the ability to overcome and become the best person you can be. Read more>>
Brittany Jones
I danced in the Houston Community College Ensemble, and with a couple of small companies over the next few years, eventually making my way to performing with the Houston Grand Opera this year! Currently, I am a student in the dance program at the University of Houston working towards my BFA! Read more>>
Carlos Castillo
All of my collections are connected to my feelings and I don’t really like to talk about it because it is very personal but I think if people knew this it would make them analyze the collections more rather than just seeing pretty clothes. Read more>>
Lorenda Thompson and Ren Ren Tattz
I have a unique way of making my pieces look like stickers. In my profession, a lot of people who look like me (dark skin) have the misconception that they can’t get color on their skin. With patience and great equipment and ink, I remind them that that’s a myth. I think my work gives people hope that they’re not just stuck with what they have on their skin and in life. Read more>>
Terance Gartica
This transition really encouraged me to push my art to the next level. After settling in Houston for a while, I developed a fascination for anime, cars, vast architecture and the lifestyle of the screw culture. These subjects heavily influence my creations in almost all my pieces. Read more>>
Timothy E. G. Bartel
Inspired by these writers, I began composing poetry in earnest, and after I graduated I enrolled in the Creative Writing MFA program at Seattle Pacific University. While I was in grad school, the recession hit California hard. A friend of a friend lost everything in the summer of 2009 and attempted to take his own life. Drawing on the styles of Longfellow and Hopkins, I wrote a short poem in memory of him, and it became my first poem published by a professional arts journal. Read more>>
Erika Whitney
Making art is something I love to do but also just have to do. After graduation in 2017, I worked as Assistant Director for Sugar Land Art Center where I developed an art program for teens and for homeschooled students. I recently accepted a position at Lone Star College and San Jacinto College where I will be teaching Art appreciation and Drawing. Read more>>
Matthew Roberts
I look at every shoot as a learning experience. Right now, the money isn’t what drives me, it’s just learning and growing and establishing what I want to be as an artist. It’s sometimes a challenge, and sometimes discouraging, but I am happy with what I make, knowing that I have made it for myself, and not because someone else wanted me to.. Read more>>
Jennifer Zelaya
My favorite classes in school were writing (mostly for the poetry), art (although I couldn’t draw at all), and dance. Music is a huge part of my life as well. I grew up wanting to work in one of these fields, but ended up choosing something safer and easier to do. Although I love my job, it felt like something was missing in my life. That’s when I started to follow art and photography pages on Instagram and eventually, I bought my first camera. Read more>>
Taylor Jackson
Well, I have been drawing as long as I can remember. My mom always put me and my sisters in after school activities like ceramics and painting and I remember enjoying it very much. I didn’t realize that I would want to do this as a career because at first, I wanted to work in law enforcement. Fortunately, my mind changed. There was always this lingering interest in all of the arts for me throughout my childhood, and I officially became interested in trying digital art in high school. The first tools available to me were sketchbooks, and Microsoft paint. Read more>>
Justin Lewis
After picking up a brush, I picked up a camera and began to put my artistry to work by creating some of the most unique and creative videos on how to get 360 waves and 720 waves. During the day, I am Justin, a civil engineering graduate from Texas A&M University, but at night, I am known as the J Lew the Don! Read more>>
Truth Thomas
I don’t think mine is very unique, haha, but I used to copy panels from Archie comics when I was little, and then that grew into a passion in middle school. At that time I would draw and sketch out different characters that I made up in my head. Read more>>
Kat Onyirioha
Making things with my own hands was one of the first hobbies that brought me joy. I got into DIY projects before DIY was even a thing back in my middle school days. The way I see it is if someone can make it with his or her hands so can I. Read more>>
Alec Lastrap
The banging beat inspired him to write lyrics that express his feelings to the world about what he goes through as a musician, a model and a man. As he rises in the music industry, ALZO is guided by key lessons he learned as a youth to be true to yourself and to respect others treating them the way you want to be treated. Read more>>
Giavonni French
I started very slow maybe one project every other month to once a month to a couple of projects every month to find my rhythm again. I began to realize I don’t have to sacrifice my dreams for my family and it’s completely possible to do what I love and give my sons the best care possible. Read more>>
Jennie Turner
I decided to tackle the challenge head on and raise my child. I decided at a young age that my mistakes don’t define who I am. I would work hard and show people that you can still be successful no matter the adversities you face in life! Read more>>
Kristina Uriegas-Reyes
As a body positivity advocate and a former plus-size model, sizing is at the forefront of my mind as I curate my collection. It is important that I carry a variety of sizes. Everyone should have the opportunity to feel fabulous in something unique. Read more>>
