A celebration of Texas Artists

It was a wonderful weekend meeting other artists and being able to share my artwork WOW, OK at the Vignette Art Fair. Vignette celebrates Texas artists who identify as women, it was juried by Maggie Adler and culminated in a weekend art fair. The art ranged from 2D works and 3D works, finely created textiles were across from highly skilled drawings and paintings that looked so real you could lift a fork off the wall (Mileah Lorenz had stunning realism drawings!).

Anese Eun Cho’s piece called Lighthouse greeted everyone as they made there way inside. The home was situated across from a stunning large dress and doll figure by Claudia Maysen. Seeing so many pieces by fellow ladies in Texas is inspiring, and validating. It reminds me that my work is worth making, and that I have a place of belonging next to other talented artists. The complete list of works can be found here.

If you are a woman interested in entering this show, I would encourage you to do it without fear of rejection. Every year a new juror is selected, and you never know who you might connect with. If it doesn’t work out one year, don’t be discouraged in applying for future rounds.

While I feel fortunate to have others enjoy my work, I will miss seeing the artwork in my studio. I am happy that it is sold and out in the world. Thank you to the Vignette board for organizing this event, Jessica Brit Ingle, Vanessa Hadox, Colleen Borsch, Madeline Fitzgerald, Mandy Engleman, Victoria Brill, Rachel Ficke, Karina Coscia Cedillo, Mari Ramirez,, Becca Winti, and Juror Maggie Adler.

You can find out more by visiting Vignette’s website: https://www.texasvignette.org/

Bringing back the sketchbook

Sketchbook page 2023

In undergrad at Fresno State I worked in a sketchbook nonstop. It kept my lecture notes, drawings, thoughts, inspirations, ideas. In graduate school I still kept a sketchbook but I was challenged to leave it, that it wasn’t necessary, and that I should work bigger and away from it.

I think this was a big mistake for me. Sketchbooks are tangible places where I can see the beautiful, weird creative things that fascinate me.

In bringing back my sketchbook, i’m bringing back weird ideas. Interesting characters. Research and concept lived there. I’m looking forward to bringing it back, documenting, storing things, and then turning those pages into pieces of art.

the Girl Scout Gold Award

This last school year I was able to work with an ambitious Senior at Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas ISD who was going for the gold. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest achievement and requires leadership, creativity, and true dedication.

I was happy to see her project grow and impact an area of our city that is continually blighted with graffiti.
A mural was planned, organized, and fundraised for. Meetings were held with neighborhood stakeholders, as well as city officials. Now, an area that was covered in graffiti has a warm welcome that reads: Welcome to the Santa Fe Trail.

Being a Girl Scout Gold mentor was a terrific experience. Teaching young girls how to advocate for themselves is important to me as a teacher and a woman. I am happy that there are young girls who are willing to make a positive change in their neighborhood. We worked to develop their presentation and communication skills, I was so happy to share my experience with them and see them increase their comfort with delivering talks and ideas.

I hope to have this opportunity again and can’t wait to see what the future leaders will do.