50 Artists: Houston

50 ARTISTS

HOUSTON

50 Artists: Houston is published under Transcend, a sectionalized division under Di Angelo Publications, Inc.

Transcend is an imprint of Di Angelo Publications. Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Printed in China.

Di Angelo Publications 4265 San Felipe #1100 Houston, Texas 77027

Library of Congress 50 Arists: Houston ISBN: 978-1-955690-37-9

Compiled by: Taft and Dana McWhorter Cover Design: Savina Deianova Inerior Design: Kimberly James

Editors: Willy Rowberry, Elizabeth Geeslin Zinn, Ashley Crantas

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, contact info@diangelopublications.com.

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1. Art --- American --- General

2. Art --- Individual Artists --- General

50 ARTISTS

HOUSTON

Compiled by Taft & Dana McWhorter

ANGELA OBERHAUS

PAUL ODDO

DANIEL ORTIZ

JOHN PALMER

LOURDES PHEND

OLGA PORTER

SUZY RAYMOR

ANAT RONEN

APRIL RYAN

CHRIS SILKWOOD

TRA SLAUGHTER

DEB TISCH

HANH TRAN

ROZI TURNBULL

DIANA MARIE WAGUESPACK

GARY WATSON

ALEX WILHITE

In a time when we have all been challenged to overcome unique obstacles and focus on the silver linings in our lives, art is important.

Art can delight our senses and provide us with a feeling of comfort. It can share a message to encourage and inspire us. It can be a tool to communicate and discuss important issues in our society. Art can be a healing force. In creating, viewing, and enjoying art, we find common bonds that connect us and help us better understand one another. Art is many things to many people, but the common denominator is that art is a profound form of experiencing and connecting with our society, our environment, with ourselves, and with each other.

The Houston art community is a thriving movement that embodies that special experience and connection. 50 Artists is a time stamp of the Houston art scene in the year 2022. It is a collection of artists and artwork that illustrates an age of community-building and collective creativity. 50 Artists is a collaboration between publisher Sequoia Schmidt and the artistic team of Dana and Taft McWhorter.

50 ARTISTS: HOUSTON THE VISION THE AUTHORS

Dana and Taft McWhorter, whose life mantra is “pursue your passion,” have been immersed in the Houston art community since 2006. These two best friends have been married for 32 years and have three grown sons who are all currently pursuing their passions. Taft is the artist and Chief Creative Officer of the business. Dana, who serves as Chief Operating Officer, manages the logistics of their art business, including their philanthropy, which raises over $100,000 annually for local nonprofits. Along with her family and friends, Dana’s other passions include food, travel, paddle boarding, and the beach. The couple splits their time between Houston and Los Angeles, maintaining private art studios in both cities. 50 Artists has been a dream concept of the art couple for many years, exemplifying their mission to encourage and support other artists.

Sequoia Schmidt has dedicated her life to creation in all forms, whether it be the creation of her nonprofit The Denali Foundation, which provides art supplies to schools and communities, or the creation of Di Angelo Publications as a company. Through the publishing firm, Sequoia and the DAP Team are able to craft and tell powerful stories from around the world. Artistic ability plays a large part in the publishing industry, allowing for creative freedoms during things like layout and design, which DAP team member Kimberly James expresses through the publication of this book. Di Angelo Publications has been honored to work with creative artists like Taft and Dana to help make a large impact in the community.

THE ARTISTS

THE CITY

The 50 artists featured are listed in alphabetical order for a reason. This is not a Top 50 list, nor is it a popularity contest. The artists featured are simply working, creating, and selling their original artwork in Houston, Texas. These are artists that we have either worked closely with or have followed and admired throughout our careers.

Each chapter features a different artist. Painters, photographers, sculptors, furniture designers, and body painters, all with different personalities and styles. These unique individuals are all focused on making a living by creating and selling their artwork. They are on a journey of self-discovery, making daily sacrifices and putting it all on the line to pursue their passion. Take a peek into their world. View their art, read their stories, and immerse yourself into the creative lives of Houston’s very own artists.

Each chapter also has a QR code that will take you directly to each artist’s website. You can then dive a little deeper by exploring the websites of the artists that really appeal to you. Many of them have private art studios where you can meet the artist in person and experience the environment where the artwork is created. We encourage you to make the effort to get out there and meet some of these artists and see their artwork. Then, if you’re compelled, you can acquire a piece of original art. It will certainly fuel the artist’s business and it will likely have a profound impact on your life.

The city of Houston is the fourth-largest in the country, spanning a broad 640 square miles and inhabited by over 2.3 million people. Along with world-class performing arts and culinary arts, it is home to one of the nation’s most extensive and active visual art communities.

Houston has the 12th largest museum in the world, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), as well as dozens of fine art galleries displaying works from well-known artists from around the globe. However, it is the local art scene that provides the heartbeat for this bustling southern city. Local favorites include the annual Art Car Parade, the Beer Can House, Project Row Houses, the We Love Houston Sign, and dozens of large scale murals and sculptures throughout the city. There are non-profit organizations such as Art League of Houston, Artists 4 Artists, and Fresh Arts that provide a plethora of support for local artists.

One of the star players in the Houston visual art community is the Sawyer Yards Artist Complex, one of the largest artist communities in the country, housing over 300 working artists. Many of the artists displayed in this book have art studios within Sawyer Yards.

Houston is undeniably an art enthusiast’s playground.

THE PASSION

“50 Artists” is a passion project. Our hearts and souls went into every page. We love this city and this art community. We hope you enjoy the journey of discovering and celebrating the Houston art scene in 2022. Cheers to all that create.

• john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan

rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau

silkwood

tisch

hanh

rozi turnbull

diana hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff

amy malkan

rick mcwhorter

taft mcwhorter

meek

monixL

minamyer

moen

molander

angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • v v darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander

silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen •

ryan

silkwood

slaughter

deb tisch

hanh

rozi turnbull

diana waguespack

gary watson

wilhite

darlene abdouch • morris malakoff

malkan

rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris silkwood • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah molander • angela oberhaus • paul oddo •daniel ortiz • john palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft mcwhorter • edgar medina • bill meek • monixL MWLFe • chris minamyer sud moen • rebekah anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • adriana lo russo • lauren luna • morris malakoff • amy malkan • rick mcwhorter • taft •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie gaworecki • anna grove • eddie hall • megan hendrix • toria hill • jay t. jax • katharine ligon • tra slaughter • deb tisch • hanh tran • rozi turnbull • diana waguespack • gary watson •alex wilhite • darlene abdouch • david adickes • wood fancher anthony • salli babbitt • anastasia bodagovskaya • sebastien boileau • rylie caldwell • taylor clendennen • emily dingmann • daniel elliott • angela fabri • vincent fink • ryan fugate • leslie palmer •lourdes phend • olga porter • suzy raymor • anat ronen • april ryan • chris

DARLENE ABDOUCH

Growing up in New England, all four seasons made an immense impression on both myself and my art. I find that nature evokes memories, to inspire and recreate in the moment.

My summers were spent at a lake house in Massachusetts, and as a child, I spent a lot of time outdoors. Water has a big influence on my inspiration. The sense of nature and the changing of the seasons made me appreciate all that Mother Nature has to offer. I work intuitively, creating abstract suggestions of the landscapes.

I work in mixed media, working in many layers, creating texture while utilizing the landscapes’ natural form; my work can range from watercolor to acrylic to even resin.

I draw upon visual cues and past encounters to determine the medium, and to achieve a balance of realism and abstract. I use the memories and sense of place and time while trying to portray my sense of the natural world’s various ecosystems. CONTACT

about darlene

Darlene Abdouch studied at the Glassell School of Art and continues to study different techniques through continuing her education. Darlene also enjoys studying art at museums and galleries around the world. She is inspired by the masters and also by her mentors.

Darlene loves doing philanthropic art activities— especially art benefits! Darlene has supported different causes throughout her career and is a contributor to charitable events in her community. She is also a former co-chair on the Support of the Arts Committee with the Assistance League of Houston.

Darlene is currently a member of Fresh Arts and the Visual Arts Alliance, as well as The Art Nexus.