My First Open Studio in Houston

Opening night for Gallery Skye has come and gone so quickly!!

It happened so fast I didn’t even have time to write about it beforehand. I went to California to pick up more of my work (but still only a small fraction of all that I have), came back, spent a week setting everything up in my new studio, and suddenly opening night was upon us.

It was one of the best shows I’ve ever had! I met amazing Houston artists, seasoned and established in their craft — many award winners (one of which was recognized by the White House). They had valuable feedback for me that I applied immediately and sold a couple pieces to equally amazing people.

Ann Marie Carrizales and Gail Meyer now own pieces of my work and I am so honored!

Ann Marie Carrizales, Aliza J Bejarano, Mikayla Rae

Gail Meyer

The group behind this gallery is so impressive (almost daunting). I can’t wait to show Houston everything I can do and all that my art has to offer. The waves being made now I’ve felt before in LA, but being supported by these powerful, successful women just hits different.

Arianna Taylor, Kellis Charles Lewis, Aliza J Bejarano, Alex Arizpe

Shout out to my pre-fiance and partner in life! Kellis Charles Lewis has kept me calm, cool, and collected through my transition from California to Texas and as I establish my art practice out of Houston. We are planning some exciting new work together out of my studio for Gallery Skye’s next opening October 1st.

And Arianna Taylor, my Texas bestie! She has been such a powerful influence in my life in Texas and I’m so happy to have met her! Her ambition and go-getter attitude inspires me to keep working at my dreams even when things get dicey. We are also in the process of creating beautiful work together in hopes of inspiring even more creative people in the Houston area and hopefully beyond!

I am so proud of the community and friends I am cultivating here and some of which are here from what I had grown in LA (Hi Alex)! I love them all very much and feel so cared for and supported in return.

Everything that happens here on out are the cherries on top.

I'm a Resident Artist in Houston!

New Beginnings, New Spaces

I had honestly nearly given up on applying to open calls and residencies but here we are!

I applied and had an interview with the gallery’s curator. She handed me my acceptance letter right there over coffee! They are just opening up and want to bring the community together through art and give back to it and its creative population. Now I’m waiting for the remodeling for this new space to be done so that I can add my touch to my new studio and wall space.

While I wait, I’m gathering my work, ideas, and building up my circle. Finding artists and joining groups with other creative entrepreneurs who are actively working on their dream and who are supportive of each other. I deeply believe that success happens in strong groups of people who are dedicated to their craft and whose intentions aim for the higher good vs individual success or progress alone. So many of the stories, movies, and art we love now came from individuals who practiced and got feedback from encouraging, like-minded peers. I’m excited to see the humans I find and what we can create together.

There is so much potential in all the space that I’ve found! I can’t wait to host shows and teach classes again. If you know anyone who’d like to be a part of this growing idea send them this link for updates: http://eepurl.com/glR-lD

Taking in and digesting all this new information — the landscape, the people, the ambiance — has me trying to organize my sense of self as an individual and in my work. All the things I’ve learned so far aren’t altogether applicable where I’m at now and I’m having to understand myself and my art all over again in this new environment.

I guess with COVID everyone is having to do some form of this. And still allow in their plans an expert level of room for “and if this all falls apart again then…” As an eternal optimist, I’m still continuing to piece together all the things I want and push forward the best that I can with what I have. I hope for the best, and whatever else happens to become an obstacle I examine as it comes. Things are so constantly in flux there isn’t time to ruminate over what could happen. But it only makes sense to have a few backup plans wherever possible.

So while I’m super excited to map out all of my future projects and implement my plans, I try to remember to be at peace with and fully transparent about whatever the outcome.

We Made It

We’re in Texas!

Through 2020, grief, and all the packing and unpacking, we finally made it out to Pearland, TX.

After a year of packing and the emotional process of going through my mom’s things after her passing, we finally made the move in March.
I’ve had a lot of people ask me if I miss California and how I life Texas. The truth is, though, as long as I have space to create I’m good. It may take me a moment to acclimate, but generally I’m a pretty adaptable human being. As far as liking Texas — I just got here! But I do really enjoy the open sky and this strange, haunting beauty here. The sounds of toads and crickets in the night, the smell of dirt and rain in the air — this giant house I have now.

Still lots to do.

It feels like the boxes and organizing are never-eneding!

I’ve never lived in a house before, so as you can imagine I wasn’t prepared for the size OR the maintainence involved. But I’m taking the opportunity now to learn so that when I do own my own home (hopefully in the not so distant future), I’ll have all the knowledge under my belt. Plus I’m super excited to transform this space into an art hub for me and all my new art friends!

The strangest thing about this whole transition is that I keep finding myself coming back to the realization that my mom isn’t here for all the cool new things we’re doing and seeing. It’s a weird feeling. I didn’t realize I’d have to still be reminding myself of her absence even now. I keep a journal with letters to her just to make sure she’s up to date on all the juicy details of my life. I think she would have loved it here.