Finding art can be one of most challenging parts of the design a home.
Often, people resort to just putting up something that is convenient or easy to find because they are just sick of looking at bare walls. Right?
So, I’m sharing some really amazing artists today that I had the absolute privilege to meet and chat with, when I was a judge at an art festival here this past weekend.
The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival has been held every spring here for the past 14 years.
It is a world-class, juried arts festival with the picturesque Woodlands Waterway as the backdrop. It features over 200 fine artists showcasing unique works of art in a variety of disciplines.
This is a wonderful opportunity to buy original art directly from the artist, to speak to them about their inspiration, techniques, and process. It really provides so much insight and makes a piece you might bring into your home, so much more meaningful.
I hope YOU can find some art that interests you, below, or that you will remember this and other art festivals around the country, when you are on the hunt for art for your home.
What I am featuring below is only a portion of what I saw. There was photography, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, metalwork, etc., along with great food from local restaurants and live music on 4 different stages. There was even a special section for kids.
So, take a look and see if any of these artists appeal to you. They really blew me away.
Artists From The Woodlands Arts Festival
These pencil drawings from Christopher Brown, on gesso covered wood boards are large and so impressive. The pencil detail is incredible and the soft snowy scenes and black and white graphic quality make these quite a statement.
Drawing of artist, Christopher Brown, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Drawing of artist, Christopher Brown, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
This artist, Yan Inlow, makes art out of embroidery. Everything is embroidery stitching. It was just incredible to see close up.
Embroidery artwork of artist, Yan Inlow, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Embroidery artwork of artist, Yan Inlow, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Embroidery artwork of artist, Yan Inlow, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Bold color and abstraction from Zachary Hunt. His works are large, but the detail seen through the layers invite you to examine closely. I would love these glossy resin pieces in a traditional home to make a bold modern statement.
Artwork of artist, Zachary Hunt, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Oh, how I loved these incredible paintings from Steven Graber. Their moody quality and overwash of color are so appealing. They have an overall textural quality that feels aged and historical. They remind me a little bit of an overdyed rug look.
Artwork of artist, Steven Graber, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
These two mixed media pieces below were from artist, Amanda Armistad.
Her small works, that included birds and animals, sold well during the show, but these below were my faves. I love the layering and abstraction of these. They’re whimsical in feel, but make you curious to examine close up.
I told her she would make a great pattern designer. Can’t you see some of this in a textile print?
Artwork of artist, Amanda Armistad, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Artwork of artist, Amanda Armistad, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Two graphic artists turned fine artists stood out to me.
Brian Jensen had these amazing vintage style paintings in all sizes. These, below, are the smalls. Loved their graphic appeal. Wouldn’t they be great in a game room or mancave?
Christopher Smith turned his typography skills to making graphic maps. What a special way to add a memory from a trip or honor your favorite city or hometown. I love art that brings meaning to a home.
Artwork of artist, Brian Jensen, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Map artwork of artist, Christopher Smith, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Terrell Powell has been here at the festival for many years.
His colorful totem type sculptures attracted me to his booth. These are steel and covered with paint that he has researched and tested to last outside in the elements. I love the whimsy and color of his work.
Artwork of artist, Terrell Powell, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Artwork of artist, Terrell Powell, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Were there oil paintings, you ask? Oh my yes…..and this one blew me away.
I saw this from a distance and it just drew me in. I featured this image in my Instagram stories this weekend and this piece, below, got the most comments from my fellow art lovers.
I discovered this artist, Ernest Vincent Wood III, does videos on Youtube! Check out his other work too, on his website. Incredible portraiture.
Oil painting of artist, Ernest Vincent Wood III, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
When I was in art in college, I did a little work with pastels. These artists that work in pastels really took it to a new level. Getting such fine detail in such a medium is such a challenge.
Barbara Mason, of Dragon Fly Studio Creations, captured the graphic quality of reflections and distortion of glass in these two works.
Artwork of artist, Barbara Mason, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Artwork of artist, Barbara Mason, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
This artist, Anna Lisa Leal, had rich color and lovely subject matter with her pastel pieces. Love how strong and bright her art comes off.
Artwork of artist, Anna Lisa Leal, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Super thin slices of reclaimed wood from the swamps of Louisiana make up the art of Mitch Evans. His website doesn’t have these type works on it, but that’s him if you want to contact him. :-)
Pecky cypress, oak and other woods are almost shaved from a larger piece and used to create these works, set in resin. I photographed the artist with his triptych, below. It looks like fossils on a wall, doesn’t it?
Artwork by Mitch Evans, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Artwork by Mitch Evans, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Artwork by Mitch Evans, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
I loved these bold, colorful monotypes from Scott Swezy. Perfect for either more modern spaces or stand out art for a traditional home. I love the idea of adding contemporary art in a trad space.
Artwork of artist, Scott Swezy, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Artwork of artist, Scott Swezy, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
These pencil drawings on wood boards, from artist, Brianna Martray, had so much movement and impact.
Pencil drawings on wood of artist, Brianna Martray, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
This artist, Gregory Arth, makes art from circuit boards, paper from old books and sheet music. These are amazing to view in person, close up.
Circuit board art by Gregory Arth, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
These artists can really create incredible depth with their medium. See how color is suspended in the glass art, below, to achieve that look. Glass work by Redfish Studio, Glass Art Gallery.
I chatted with Allison Esley for a bit, a resin artist, who told me she just sold a large work to the Texas Tech biology department for their new building. Apparently her style of these round splats of color suspended in resin, speak to people who look under microscopes all day. :-)
Love that!
Fused glass artwork by Redfish Studio, Glass Art Gallery, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Resin art by Allison Esley, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
This fiber art was new to me, by Katha Coker Potts.
She uses yarns to create these works, even adding washes, like with the elephant, to create a more blended look. So unique and fun.
Fiber art by Katha Coker Potts, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Fiber art by Katha Coker Potts, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
These pieces by Dawn LaGrave, were all made with photographs and small scissors.
She takes photos, maps, lots of architectural type content, and cuts them up to make 3D works. You can see the depth in one of my photos below. Such interesting conversation pieces and they really caught my eye from a distance.
Hand cut artworks by Dawn LaGrave, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Hand cut artworks by Dawn LaGrave, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
These cute little guys were selecting some small drawings for themselves. The whimsical pencil drawings of Joel Stanulonis, are perfect for a child’s room.
Pencil drawings by Joel Stanulonis, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
The detail in this piece by Suzanne Seiler, was created by tiny pieces of cut paper, lacquered over to create the tiled effect. These had beautiful color and even feel good to rub your hand over.
Fine paper mosaic art from artist, Suzanne Seiler, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
This lovely painting by Melanie Blackerby caught my eye. I love the soft, washed look and calm, pastoral setting.
Pastoral painting by Melanie Blackerby, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Other Disciplines Seen At Art Festival
Just to show you a bit from a few of the other categories, this below is photography. This artist, Melissa Shuttlesworth, travels the country looking for vintage signs still in use and has photographed them for her art.
How fun are these! I love that her backgrounds are all the same color, it would make a great gallery wall or collection.
Vintage signage photography by Melissa Shuttlesworth, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Ceramics, this one below by Studio McMillin, and these handcrafted flatware pieces (made of hammered steel and silver), by Sterling and Steel, are some of my favorite items to collect.
I would have loved to have dropped some dollars here, but had to get back to my judging!
Studio McMillin ceramics seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
Metalwork by Sterling and Steel, seen at The Woodlands Waterway Art Festival
If you didn’t get out to enjoy this festival this year, put it on your calendar for next.
And you can click on all the names of the artists, above, to visit their websites and see more of what they offer.
I recommend looking for festivals in your area to check out artists and buy original art that speaks to you. It’s that layer of design that really helps your personality shine through in your home.
More Featured Artists
BTW, Instagram is also becoming a great place to find art and I found these two artists that I featured previously on my blog.
If you love bright bursts of color and graphic statements in art, then you are going to love this artist I’m featuring today.