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Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

by | Jun 24, 2019 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 11th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Scottish Rite for Children.

BRITTNEY WELLS

Background: I have been painting and drawing since I was 5 years old. I am a former patient of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. I received my BFA in graphic design from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2010. I will paint or draw on anything that will hold paint. The world is my canvas, from walls (murals) to shoes to printing t-shirts to paint on making my own canvases; I’m blessed to say I do it all!

Inspiration: I get my inspiration from everyday life and sometimes even my dreams. Most times I’ll let my imagination run wild on a canvas.

A green crayon and a red crayon on a white surface

A green and yellow painting with a white background

HEATHER GALLAGHER

I am a mom of three beautiful children, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to many. I have lived in Texas my whole life and North Texas for most of that. I work for locally based non-profit ambulance service Careflite.  I am a paramedic and enjoy taking care of my patients and their families. I paint as a hobby. I never really considered myself and artist, but I truly enjoy creating art, so I guess that makes me one.

Inspiration: I love seeing what colors work together, and never really know what is going to end up on the canvas. I love abstract art, as it can mean many different things to many different people. I love blues and greens, and fluid movement. I take inspiration from my children’s drawings and paintings that they make because they are truly random and beautiful.

LAURA RUNGE

I am a Texas native and earned a BA in Journalism from Baylor University. After many years in the corporateworld, I took the leap of faith to pursue my lifelong passion as a self-taught artist. I am now a full time, working artist and dedicate my days to painting and searching for creative avenues in everything I do.

A close up of a painting of angel wings

Inspiration: My passions are creating and inspiring, and I wake up each day in hopes of combining the two in every endeavor. I paint in acrylics, often combining stains and metallic leafs and powders into my pieces. I am drawn to objects that reflect movement, and this is incorporated into my works. Finding beauty in unusual objects and places, I use unconventional tools and techniques to create imaginative, one-of-a-kind works of art. My goal is to create a painting for the buyer that will add flair and a special dimension to the space where it will reside.

2018. A purple and blue painting with a gold foil border

JOANNE “JOJO” HERDA

Rocket scientist turned self-taught abstract artist utilizing a blend of the analytical mind and artistic passion to create harmonious balance of color on canvas with compassion and diligence. Artwork is created for the individual collector, clients of leading interior design and non-profit organizations. JoJo was honored to be named a Fashion Group Internal of Dallas 2016Rising Star Nominee in Art.

Inspiration: Artwork inspiration is drawn from life experiences, 80’s flare, and the color found in everyday objects.

Jenn Thatcher

Jenn Thatcher has always has a love for color and design. After moving to Texas from Chicago 10 years ago, she was working for a Wall Street firm with a demanding travel schedule and long hours. Being a wife and mother of three, with two of the children being Scottish rite patients, she finally decided to leave her corporate career to pursue painting full time.

A colorful painting with the letters a and g on it

Jenn believes that creating art is a gift from God, and a blank canvas is a metaphor for life. It can be anything you want it to be. And if you don’t like the direction it’s going, it’s never too late to start over or change direction.

A pink and white painting with the letter t on it

It’s so important to remember that everyone and everything can be beautiful at some point in time, it’s all a matter of how you look at it. Jenn’s work is featured in stores through the US and works directly with designers and clients in the Dallas area. Some of her work can be viewed on Instagram @Jenn_Thatcher_Art or on her website at www.jennthatcher.com

Michelle Elwazir

The interplay of natural and man-made geometric forms and textures is a unifying theme in Michelle Elwazir’s photographic work. She has always been amazed and surprised by the beauty of nature.  The subjects of artistic observation, interpretation, and discipline surrounded her from an early age.  Her fascination with color and texture as well as the urge to fix her observations artistically was informed by her childhood surrounded by the art and sculpture of her artist parents (her mother is a sculptor of exotic pottery and her father is a watercolorist and sculptor).

A close up of a blue rock with mountains in the background

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education development. Her projects have included commercial fashion and product photography, portraiture, and abstract art photography.  She has taught photography related workshops at the Dallas Center for Photography.

A painting with a lot of different colors on it

Lori Rayfield

After pouring her creativity into a career in Marketing & Non-Profit….Lori now pours those creative juices into her art! Originally from St. Louis, she settled in Dallas, Texas with her husband where they raised their 3 beautiful children and is now making a splash in the Dallas art scene! Although her works are abstract influenced, each piece maintains subtle personal and visual inspirations of blended color from the beautiful world we live in. She paints with no fear in this next stage of life and considers herself successful when someone loves a piece that she poured her heart into.

Taelor Fisher

Taelor Fisher is a Dallas based Fine Artist. She has studied at New York University in the Tisch School of the Arts in New York, NY, and Southern Methodist University in the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas. From her days in school she has been significantly focused on the beauty of the flower, which has since become the major focus of inspiration in her work. She was commissioned to design a print for Neiman Marcus and The House of Creed on their new women’s fragrance, Floralie. This design can be seen in every Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Creed Boutique across the United States and France. Her work has been featured in multiple publications and collected publicly and privately across the country.

A framed painting with the letters jp on it

A painting of a red and gold background with a signature on the bottom right

Christina Mitchella

Dallas native, Christina Mitchella, is an accomplished and award-winning artist specializing in impressionistic drawings and abstract oil paintings. Her life-long zeal for the arts transitioned from passion to career. After graduating with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, Christina began actively showing her works in galleries, competing in art shows, auctions and completing commissioned pieces for her growing base of followers and supporters.

Christina’s art is remarkably inspired and contemplative, spanning many different artistic mediums. Whether she is creating a portrait, painting in still life, or transforming a canvas with abstract expressionism, her impeccable attention to detail and vibrant use of color breathes life into every stroke and sketch.

It is Christina’s hope that her works will emit joy, stir inspiration and spread enthusiasm for the arts in all who view them. Her works can be viewed in galleries throughout Texas, and she is currently available for commissioned work.

Carolyn Joe Daniel

Carolyn grew up in Dallas where her love for whimsical illustration began as a child. She earned a BA in Studio Art and Art History at Wake Forest University and was fortunate to experience art while traveling and working abroad as a curatorial assistant in galleries in Sydney, Australia. Painting has been a wonderful 20+ year long ribbon of color, tying together many of her memories.

A colorful painting of a flower with a blue background

Today she enjoys creating commissioned works for residential and commercial spaces while collaborating with designers and retailers. She is represented by Maestri Gallery in Dallas’ Deep Ellum. Her work has been adapted to fashion for Rosie + Belle, Roma rain boots, athleisure leggings, and home decor textiles, including custom wallcovering via Look Walls for commercial and residential use. Carolyn was recently commissioned to develop brand assets used in marketing for Bertolli’s new US line of organic Carapelli olive oil campaign, The Art of the Olive.

Carolyn paints in her home studio, alongside two mini muses / budding artists. She enjoys giving back to many wonderful causes including Dwell with Dignity, LECPTA and DISD schools, Texas 4000 for Cancer, West Dallas Community School, Scottish Rite’s Summer Colors, and Junior League of Dallas.

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part I

by | Jun 10, 2019 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 11th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Scottish Rite for Children. 

A winding road in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains .

Abigail Law

Abby Law is an 18-year-old, award winning artist from Dallas. Her main focus is photography and she currently runs her own small photography business.  Aside from that, she also enjoys working in the fields of game development, music composition, special effects makeup, and sequential art. As of this Fall, she will begin her studies at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to pursue her artistic career.

Abby is also a former patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Diagnosed with Scoliosis in 7th grade, she wore a back brace for a year and a half before it was determined that she needed surgery to correct her spinal curvature. Since her surgery, Abby has been determined to give back (no pun intended). She held three annual art shows with the proceeds benefitting Scottish Rite and was able to present checks to the hospital during her visits with Dr. Sucato. Abby is honored to be selected to participate in Summer Colors for her third consecutive year because she feels it is another opportunity to show her love and respect for Scottish Rite. 

A pink house in the mountains with a rainbow in the sky .

ALLYSON HALL

Allyson Hall happily tabled her career as a journalist for the adventures of motherhood almost nine years ago. Four babies later, the youngest finally on board the “potty train,” she finally figured out what she wanted to be when she grew up. Allyson followed the pull to turn her creativity into a professional pursuit that excited her every day. It started with photography. She loves capturing the unexpected moment, the unposed expression on faces. Her Nikon is like a fifth child — it goes everywhere with her.

About face silhouettes is an extension of Allyson’s passion for photography, a new use for the thousands of .jpgs that were building up in her photo library. She was looking for a fresh medium to capture the images of her children and remembered the great black and white silhouettes of Allyson as a kid.

By first photographing her subjects’ profiles, she has a fixed moment from which she can trace a detailed silhouette. Allyson takes her time, putting great care into precisely cutting the slope of a nose, the pout of the lips or the curl in the hair. This is what sets an “about face” original apart from many other silhouettes. The greatest compliment she has received comes from clients who say they can fill in the rest of the silhouetted face’s features with their mind’s eye.

A tunnel with a rainbow painted on the side of it

Allyson uses sturdy colored cardstock to give her silhouettes a modern vibe and to provide her clients another opportunity to express their individuality. So that’s what Allyson is about. She hopes that her work adds a splash of color to your walls and makes you smile.

A painting of a woman with a prosthetic leg

DESMOND BLAIR

Desmond is a Dallas based 2D artist that specializes in oil painting. Desmond experiments with various types of composition but most of his work centers around the human figure. He attempts to capture the emotion of specific moments and is heavily influenced by 2D animation. Desmond also channels the creativity from his art work into his work as a Project Manager for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. He believes creativity is just as much about solving problems as it is exploring possibilities.

Inspiration: Family, mentors, friends and I also find inspiration from people I meet. I feel that people are passion because people carry stories with them that can have so much wisdom and opportunities to learn more about life.

KATHLEEN MEKAILEK

As an artist, I tend to draw inspiration from the land around me. I see the beauty in an abandoned well, a piece of sand, a damaged tree. I believe the world is a place of beauty and want to bring my interpretation of this for others to see. I try to capture beauty in rustic and abandoned places and want to seize moments in time before they are lost forever. I believe that by bringing attention to things that are often overlooked or taken for granted, others will have their minds opened and appreciate the special world they are surrounded by every day.

A pattern of blue white and black circles on a grey background

A painting with a lot of blue and green colors

Leida A. Bartmess

Constantly pushing the edge, LeidaB presses in her work for discovery and celebration. Her compositions are fluid, with color and dimension setting the pace for a unique painting every time with a new journey. Viewing a LeidaB painting is a rich experience that drips with color and emotion. Her passionate works are alive with movement, boldly created with brushes and a palette knife. She loves working with acrylics, heavy mediums, resin and found objects, dramatically transferring her vision to the canvas and ultimately on to the viewer.

Catherine Seals

Seals. A colorful painting by seals with a gray background

Sealy. A painting by sealy has a lot of different colors

Catherine is inspired by colors and the moods that they create together. Raising three small children can by exhausting, but at the same time gives her energy and brightness to her art work. 

A painting of a body of water with mountains in the background

HELEN GREEN

Helen Green’s work was described by a local Dallas store as “simplistic beauty with light and airy colors that will add a touch of summer to any room”. Raised in Boerne, Texas under her mom’s easel, Helen has developed her graceful style, which has caught the attention of area stores, cafes and followers on Facebook site called GraceFilledNestTumblr.com

Her education began at the University of Texas but chose to graduate at the Art Institute of Dallas. She left the stressful corporate world environment after beginning her career in a high-end specialty store in the visual communications department and ending as a senior art director for a national retailer. Now she finds true joy and peace as a stay at home mom with her precious 6-year-old daughter where she takes time to paint in her studio.

She also has mini art camps from home to encourage children to find joy in painting during a two hour session. Each with devotion, inspiration and snacks. They leave with their painted canvases and a smile! Facebook site called “Grace Filled Nest Mini Art Camps”

Sweetly rooted in her faith, Helen is moved daily by the beauty that she sees in the world through the eyes of the LORD. It’s amazing the following that she is blessed with in like-minded people and others that recognize a still small voice in her work. 

A painting of a body of water with mountains in the background

A black and white painting of a lake with trees in the background

Helen Doty

I was born and raised in Manchester, England. As a teenager I lived with my parents in Singapore for 4 years, before moving with them to Chicago IL. I was working as a computer programmer when I met my husband. After marrying my American, we moved down to Texas, where we have lived happily for over 10 years. We are now raising our two daughters here in Frisco, Texas. I have only been painting for a year. Purely for just the pleasure of creating at first. Then as gifts for friends and family. I am excited to have just sold my first commissioned piece!

Inspiration: I get my ideas by chatting with the person that is looking to add something to a space or room, with photos, or a certain color palette.

Lydia Abigail

Lydia Abigail is best known for her attention to detail in all work she produces. Although she began in detailed sketch work, she now primarily focuses on her impressionistic and colorful paintings. Lydia lives and works in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, also the place she began as an artist. After minoring in art and winning the TCC Art Department Award in 2014, Lydia continued her artistic education through self-instruction.

A painting that has a lot of spots on it

Lydia has displayed in numerous local businesses since then, including the Texas White House, The Laughing Willow, Dance Culture’s Gallery, and the Dallas Kohler Signature Store, for which she painted a claw-foot bathtub. Her work has been featured in Fathom Magazine, Breathe You In, and Art House’s Visual Showcase. Lydia plans on continuing to strengthen her craft through discovery, experimentation, and working with local & national galleries and businesses. Inspiration: Lydia is mainly inspired by the movement of music and the texture within nature. Her oil paintings attempt to emulate the vibrancy and life that surrounds her.

Aidan – BMW Dallas Marathon Patient Champion

Aidan – BMW Dallas Marathon Patient Champion

by | Nov 20, 2018 | Events

Since 2007, the Patient Champion program has enlisted Scottish Rite Hospital patients to help encourage and cheer on runners in the BMW Dallas Marathon. This program is a way to highlight some of the wonderful kids the marathon generously supports each year. We’re excited to introduce you to Aidan!

Aidan, age 10, of Frisco, has been a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for the past year, where he receives treatment for Perthes Disease in his right leg. The physicians in the Center for Excellence in Hip conduct groundbreaking research to determine the best treatment plan for each and every patient, including Aidan.

Aidan’s favorite part about coming to Scottish Rite Hospital is playing in the Child Life Playroom, where he can “escape” and play videogames with other kids, just like he does at home.

Outside of the hospital, Aidan enjoys spending time with his family and friends and loves to play sports.  He plays four different sports, and his family of six all plays soccer. He is is eager to join them again back on the field!
Aidan’s doctors are experts in caring for children and someday he hopes to be an expert in caring for the community. He aspires to become a Police Officer and with his big heart and positive attitude, he is sure to succeed!
For more event information, visit: bmwdallasmarathon.com. 

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part IV

by | Jun 27, 2018 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 10th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol and Jill and Dupree Scovell, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 26, at Scottish Rite Hospital. Additional information and tickets can be found at scottishritehospital.org/summercolors

 

JENNY GRUMBLES KOZIOL

Dallas entrepreneur, Jenny Grumbles, obtained her degree in journalism and studio art from Southern Methodist University in 2002.  Her work-life is threefold; artist, shop-owner, and buyer for A&E’s hit series, Storage Wars Texas.  Jenny’s paintings have been sold in galleries and shops throughout Georgia, Texas, and California.  She is the proprietor to her very own vintage home furnishings shop, Uptown Country Home. 

Since realizing her passion in painting in 1994, she has created an impressionist style with loose brush strokes and an emphasis on light and color. There is never black on her palette. Her subject matter includes everything from children on the beach, home interiors, florals, and commissioned work. Jenny attributes much of her success to her mentor, the renowned Claudia Hartley of Arizona, and to gallery owner, Anne Irwin, of Atlanta. 


Jenny also spends much of her time searching for treasures to recycle, repurpose, and repaint for sale in her shop. 

In addition to her shop and artwork, Jenny has a passion for politics and major league baseball. 

Jenny’s main aspiration is to make the world a better place through political advocacy, creative art and home decor, because she truly believes, whether it’s the whole world, or a little cottage in Dallas, home is where the heart is.

HELEN GREEN

Helen Green’s work was described by a local Dallas store as “simplistic beauty with light and airy colors that will add a touch of summer to any room”. Raised in Boerne, Texas under her mom’s easel, Helen has developed her graceful style, which has caught the attention of area stores, cafes and followers on Facebook site called GraceFilledNestTumblr.com

Her education began at the University of Texas but chose to graduate at the Art Institute of Dallas. She left the stressful corporate world environment after beginning her career in a high-end specialty store in the visual communications department and ending as a senior art director for a national retailer. Now she finds true joy and peace as a stay at home mom with her precious 6-year-old daughter where she takes time to paint in her studio.

 

She also has mini art camps from home to encourage children to find joy in painting during a 2 hour sessions. Each with devotion, inspiration and snacks. They leave with their painted canvases and a smile! Facebook site called “Grace Filled Nest Mini Art Camps” 

Sweetly rooted in her faith, Helen is moved daily by the beauty that she sees in the world through the eyes of the LORD. It’s amazing the following that she is blessed with in like-minded people and others that recognize a still small voice in her work.

LAURA RUNGE

I am a Texas native and earned a BA in Journalism from Baylor University. After many years in the corporate world, I took the leap of faith to pursue my lifelong passion as a self-taught artist. I am now a full time, working artist and dedicate my days to painting and searching for creative avenues in everything I do.

My passions are creating and inspiring, and I wake up each day in hopes of combining the two in every endeavor. I paint in acrylics, often combining stains and metallic leafs and powders into my pieces. I am drawn to objects that reflect movement, and this is incorporated into my works. Finding beauty in unusual objects and places, I use unconventional tools and techniques to create imaginative, one-of-a-kind works of art. My goal is to create a painting for the buyer that will add flair and a special dimension to the space where it will reside.

Madison Slusher

Madison has been a jewelry designer since 2006 and newly developed abstractpainter.

Madison’s inspiration is knowing that someone will treasure my art as much as she does and bring them joy!

Abigail Law

In 7th grade, I was diagnosed with Scoliosis and became a patient here at TSRHC. I had to wear a back brace for 20 hours a day for most of 7th and 8th grade. On the last week of 8th grade, I underwent Scoliosis surgery with Dr. Sucato. I will forever be grateful for the angels here at Scottish Rite and I decided that I wanted to give back. I have been holding my own Art Show annually since the year of my surgery. My 3rd annual Art Show was on May 11 at Christy M Boutique in Snider Plaza which benefited the hospital. I do this because It’s my own way of giving back to the place that has given me so much. I’m honored to be a part of Summer Colors! It gives me another opportunity to show my love and respect for Scottish Rite.

HEATHER GALLAGHER

I am a mom of three beautiful children, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to many. I have lived in Texas my whole life and North Texas for most of that. I work for locally based non-profit ambulance service Careflite. I am a paramedic and enjoy taking care of my patients and their families. I paint as a hobby. I never really considered myself and artist, but I truly enjoy creating art, so I guess that makes me one

I love seeing what colors work together, and never really know what is going to end up on the canvas. I love abstract art, as it can mean many different things to many different people. I love blues and greens, and fluid movement. I take inspiration from my children’s drawings and paintings that they make because they are truly random and beautiful.

Matt Esparza

Matt Esparza is a Dallas based visual artist, film maker and photographer. As a graduate of Oral Roberts University (ORU), in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Matt obtained a degree in Art Graphic Design, with a concentration in Video. He was also a key player on the ORU Men’s Soccer team, and went on to train with professional clubs in Brazil. As a gifted artist, Matt has displayed and sold works across the United States, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Tulsa, New York and Los Angeles. After living in L.A. for a year, and apprenticing under highly respected artist, Andy Anh Ha, Matt relocated to Dallas in 2012 to establish his studio.Matt is continually getting inspiration from the world around him, drawing equally from urban and rural textures, international travels, and famous artists.

The artists who have most influenced him include: Jackson Pollock, Jean- Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Gerhard Richter, Georges Mathieu and Franz Kline. His main source of inspiration,however, is his faith in God, and the effect that has had on his life.

Matt is a highly travelled individual and has visited over 18 countries in the past 10 years. He has recently returned from an 8 month sabbatical in which he lived and travelled around the world and visited 12 different countries including, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Uganda, Vietnam, Myanmar, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Costa Rica and Mexico. Esparza’s preferred medium is a variety of acrylic and oils, on board, with regular use of polymers, spray paints, stains, epoxy resin and sheet metal. When Esparza is not painting or traveling the world filming, he is busy volunteering at his church, enjoying local eats, working out, dancing or enjoying the outdoors.

KRISTIN O’KEEFE

B.A. in art from Hastings College in Hastings, NE. I’m a jack of all trades and a master of none. 

Inspired by ordinary moments, rainy days, and quietness.

Rachel Nash

Rachel Nash is an artist and art therapist. She recieved her undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and her Masters from The Scho ol of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Rachel is drawn to color, she loves mixing paint and seeks to create colors that are found in nature. She is also drawn to people and human nature, a common theme she explores in her work.

BRITTNEY WELLS

I have been painting and drawing since I was 5 years old. I am a former patient of TSRH. I received my BFA in graphic design from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2010. I will paint or draw on anything that will hold paint. The world is my canvas, from walls (murals) to shoes to printing t-shirts to paint on making my own canvases; I’m blessed to say I do it all!

I get my inspiration from everyday life and sometimes even my dreams. Most times I’ll let my imagination run wild on a canvas.

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

by | Jun 20, 2018 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 10th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol and Jill and Dupree Scovell, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 26, at Scottish Rite Hospital. Additional information and tickets can be found at scottishritehospital.org/summercolors

CAROLINE QUISENBERRY

Constantly in need of a “creative outlet”, I would often find new project and hobbies to test drive. The day I was introduced to jewelry, jewelry design, and a paintbrush was the day I realized I could put my biggest passions of creative design, the arts, and crafting into a tangible product to give back to the world. 

My personal relationship with design has evolved into a love and passion I incorporate into every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally. Throughout my professional life, I have broadened my creative abilities through even planning, jewelry designs, painting, branding, business development, client relations, and marketing. Alongside my professional life, I have grown my design skills through my jewelry and painting business, CLQ Designs. 

CLQ Designs offers custom jewelry design, jewelry redesign, and abstract acrylic paintings, while catering to the client’s style, need and budget! CLQ Designs offers the best of both worlds – unique handcrafted jewelry and art sure to make you and your home the statement piece at your next event and a price point that won’t send you running for the hills! I want my clients to be able to call me on a random Tuesday and ask if I can design them something new because they need to “spoil” themselves. 

Since childhood, my creativity and passion for design has fueled my drive to explore new experiences, learn new skill sets, and cultivate meaningful relationships. For me, the most exciting and rewarding part of CLQ Designs is knowing that I am not limited to what I can learn, design and create. I love getting together with my clients to get our creative wheels turning together in order to design their one of a kind piece from CLQ Designs. I love the challenge of design and thrive off creativity (I can’t get enough of it!). 

CHRISTI MERIL

Christi Meril has been creating mixed media art filled with simple and connectable images since 2006. She has devoted herself as an artist to create images that speak to the eye and heart of the beholder. Her artwork is filled with modern yet timeless pieces full of life, self-reflection and love.

Over the years, her work has appeared in ArtHouse Dallas, The Thrift Studio, Dallas, The Dallas Flea, The Jewish Art Fest of Dallas, Arts and Tarts, open shows at the 500X Gallery and sold locally. She is also found in personal collections from California to New York and abroad. Christi resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband, two daughters, two standard poodles and English bulldog.

JOANNE “JOJO” HERDA

Rocket scientist turned self-taught abstract artist utilizing a blend of the analytical mind and artistic passion to create harmonious balance of color on canvas with compassion and diligence. Artwork is created for the individual collector, clients of leading interior design and non-profit organizations. JoJo was honored to be named a Fashion Group Internal of Dallas 2016 Rising Star Nominee in Art. 
 
JoJo’s artwork inspiration is drawn from life experiences, 80’s flare, and the color found in everyday objects. 
 

MEGAN ADAMS BROOKS

Inspired by patterns and textures in the natural world, Megan Adams Brooks creates abstract paintings on silk that reflect the beauty found throughout nature. Brooks began painting interior scapes on canvas early in her career. It was through depicting the fabrics and patterns in a room that she discovered her fascination with fabrics, which led her to designing custom textiles. From there, Brooks found her true passion for the silk medium. Painting on silk, similar to watercolor, provides many opportunities for unexpected challenges and happy accidents. The process is time-sensitive, multi-layered and endlessly inventive. Brooks’ unique method of self-expression fulfills her unending obsession to create. 

Brooks’ work has been exhibited at Art Basel in Miami and McKinney Avenue Contemporary (The MAC) at 3120 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX. Her work hangs in public and private collections, nationally and internationally. Brooks holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree in painting and drawing from Southern Methodist University and a Master’s of Fine Art degree from the University of North Texas. She lives and works in Dallas, TX.

LORI CUSICK

In 2002, Lori decided to follow her life’s passion and recommitted herself to painting. At this time, she first engaged in plein air painting. “The challenges presented by painting nature while being part of that nature have taught me a tremendous amount about studying light and manipulating paint.” The one constant through her paintings: her energetic spontaneous brushstroke, applying paint with a confident contemporary approach.

Lori resides in Dallas, a long way from the mountains of New York where she was born and raised. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, earning a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. Over the following years, Lori successfully pursued a career as a commercial artist designing for advertising agencies and running her own design studio. She is currently Design Director for the award-winning Private Clubsmagazine. You see the influence of her commercial career in her exciting compositions … silhouettes of the world.
 
Lori’s inspired by nature and the ever changing light.

 

CHARLSIE DOAN

I am a self-taught landscape artist, primarily using oils and sometimes watercolors.
Inspiration: My inspirations are the colors of the sky. My grandparents live on a farm in rural New Mexico, and I love being there because the sky is so wide and huge that it is possible to see everything, the stars, the clouds, the sunrises, and the sunsets. I especially love the vibrant oranges and reds of sunset, and these are the colors that you can see most in my paintings.

Fran Di Giacomo

Artist, Author, Speaker

1970 was a pivotal year for Fran Di Giacomo; she found two passions – her husband and her art.  She pursued her passion for art by studying with living masters, including Paul Leveille, David Leffel, and a unique opportunity at Scottsdale Artist School with Howard Terpning. 

Striving to establish her career in oil painting, Fran Di Giacomo found herself most excited by the methods and concepts of the Dutch masters.  “I focused on seeking out living masters to study with.  Perfecting the drama of light, shadow, and mystery has been a constant theme.  Fad and fashion will ebb and flow, but classical realism is endless and enduring.”  Her paintings are represented by galleries in several states, and are in demand for their lush colors and dramatic lighting.

Today her portraits are renowned, and her still life paintings are in great demand for their lush colors and dramatic lighting.  Her portraits include private collectors, precious children, sports figures such as Dallas Cowboys’ Emmitt Smith and Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki, and dignitaries such as Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger and President George W.Bush.  

She has been published in books, magazines, and newspapers, as well as Who’s Who in American Art and Who’s Who of American Women, and The Best of Portrait Painting.   In today’s fast-paced world, our senses are constantly assaulted. When you behold a Di Giacomo painting, you return to the world of quiet elegance.   

Fran is represented by Southwest Gallery in Dallas, and Gallerie Amsterdam in Carmel. She is a member of Associated Creative Artists and Oil Painters of America.  

Michelle Elwazir

The interplay of natural and man-made geometric forms and textures is a unifying theme in Michelle Elwazir’s photographic work. She has always been amazed and surprised by the beauty of nature.  The subjects of artistic observation, interpretation, and discipline surrounded her from an early age.  Her fascination with color and texture as well as the urge to fix her observations artistically was informed by her childhood surrounded by the art and sculpture of her artist parents (her mother is a sculptor of exotic pottery and her father is a watercolorist and sculptor).  

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education development. Her projects have included commercial fashion and product photography, portraiture, and abstract art photography.  She has taught photography related workshops at the Dallas Center for Photography.   

Meagan Johnson

Lil’ d Dog Works is operated by Meagan Johnson in Denton, TX. Meagan has been teaching art in Dallas for 6 years and is the Artist in Residence at the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Meagan’s private business began as a pet portrait artist doing commissions for close friends. Since then she has completed works that span a large variety of subject matter working with acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, and inks. Meagan’s style incorporates vibrant colors, expressive lines, and fun compositions to create unique works of art with the client in mind.

‘Kidswing’ golf tournament is all about kids helping kids

‘Kidswing’ golf tournament is all about kids helping kids

by | Jun 15, 2018 | Events, Press Coverage

Watch full video. 

Unlike other charity golf tournaments, KidSwing is all about kids helping kids. Junior committee member Lauren Biedermann and her dad, Jay, talk to Good Day about the tournament. It’s a nine-hole, best-ball scramble for players age 5 to 18. There’s no entry fee but players are asked to raise at least $100 through sponsors. That money benefits the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.