How to Sell Art Online in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

I recently took part in an interview with CNN alongside other artists, focusing on the topic of selling art online. During the conversation, I provided insights about online marketplaces such as Squarespace. Our input was featured in the article titled "How to Sell Art Online in 2024: The Ultimate Guide."

“Finding your niche also means identifying your audience and who is interested in your work.

You can review previous sales and walk through the customer journey. Was there a specific piece of art that performed particularly well in the past? What feedback have you received from showings? Does your audience know how to buy art, or are they new collectors?

Watermedia and mixed media artist Hailey Herrera didn’t reinvent the wheel when choosing a niche but instead looked to what previously worked offline.

“When deciding to sell art online, I chose my niche based on previous success selling prints at a local gift shop. I noticed that my prints, distinguished by their colorful and unique appearance achieved through watercolor batik techniques, were popular among customers.””
— Quote Sourcehttps://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/how-sell-art-online

Traveling Art Exhibition Honoring 100 Years Of Texas State Parks Comes To Texas A&M

Reprint from Story - Texas A&M University

Artworks featuring scenes from more than 30 parks by Texas artists will be on display through May 26. The post Traveling Art Exhibition Honoring 100 Years Of Texas State Parks Comes To Texas A&M appeared first on Texas A&M Today.

Darren Benson | Mon, Mar 18, 2024

The University Art Galleries at Texas A&M University will display a traveling art exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Texas state parks.

The exhibition of “The Art of Texas State Parks” will open March 21, with a reception and book signing March 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the J. Wayne Stark Galleries. The exhibition, which features scenes from more than 30 parks by Texas artists, will be on display through May 26. 

The exhibition is the seventh installation in the galleries’ Texas Art Project series, which celebrates the state’s cultural and fine arts legacy through a series of art exhibitions and educational programming. 

Participating artists include Hailey Herrera of Bryan and Lee Jamison of Huntsville.

Proceeds from the sale of the artwork and a commemorative book by Andrew Sansom and Linda J. Reaves published by the Texas A&M University Press will benefit Texas state parks.

The project is part of the Centennial Celebration of Texas state parks and is a collaboration between Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. H-E-B is the presenting sponsor.

“We hope that in displaying these extraordinary pieces, visitors will be inspired to get out and enjoy and explore the stunning natural landscapes we’re fortunate to have right in our backyards,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director David Yoskowitz. “We are grateful for the collaboration that is bringing ‘The Art of Texas State Parks’ to museums across Texas, spreading the message about these natural treasures that belong to us all.”

“It was a real pleasure to see the passion these artists brought to this project, and we’re thrilled these works will be on display at prestigious museums across Texas,” said Andrew Sansom, co-author of the commemorative book and founder of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University. “It is our fervent hope that these works of art will inspire present and future generations of Texans to forever appreciate and protect their parks.”

After its stint in College Station, the exhibition will be traveling to Albany and Tyler.

For more information about the Centennial Celebration, visit TexasStateParks.org/100years. To RSVP for the reception and book signing on March 28 in the Stark Galleries, visit TX.AG/StateParks. 

The post Traveling Art Exhibition Honoring 100 Years Of Texas State Parks Comes To Texas A&M appeared first on Texas A&M Today.

North Loops Rising Stars - Check Out Hailey Herrera’s Story

I recently had an interview with Voyage Houston magazine where I shared my journey as a full-time artist. You can read my story to discover how I started and the role fellow artists, galleries, and a bit of luck played in my success, including being featured through Fine Art America. It was a great opportunity to reflect on my memories and articulate the path that has led me to where I am now.

I‘ve been painting watercolor since the age of 7 and paint off and on ever since. In 2010, while searching for a guitar lesson for my son, I stumbled upon a local watercolor class offered by the city of College Station. Despite having no plans to become a professional artist, I decided to enroll. Read More>>

Source: https://voyagehouston.com/interview/north-...

ARTS Gorman Gallery holds International Show opening

I am thrilled to share that three of my artworks have made it to the top 50 in the ARTS International 2023- Road Trips exhibition! Among the submissions, my painting "El Arco-Arch of Cabo San Lucas" has placed 1st in the 2D category and “Spring Day” won Jerry’s Artarama awrad!

“El Arco - Arch of Cabo San Lucas” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 24”X30”

“Spring Day” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 24”X30”

I am beyond grateful for this recognition and the opportunity to showcase my artwork alongside so many talented artists from around the world.

I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the ARTS (Art for Rural Texas) for organizing this exciting exhibition and to the jury panel for their careful consideration and selecting my artwork for this honor.

At the Arts for Rural Texas International Competition opening event held at the ARTS Gorman Gallery in Schulenburg on Saturday, July 15, Stephanie Shroyer, a talented local artist, won first place in the 3-Dimensional art category. The atmosphere at the Gorman Gallery was electric, with a packed house eagerly attending the event, where prizes exceeding $6,000 in cash and merchandise were awarded. - News Staff | The Schulenburg Sticker

“Bison Jam ,” another piece skillfully painted by Hailey Herrera called “Bison Jam” enjoyed by onlookers.

Artists compete for big prizes at ARTS Gorman Gallery

ARTS will present the International Road Trips 2023 Competition, commencing on Saturday, July 15th at 5 p.m., at the ARTS Gorman Gallery located at 1201 S. Kessler Ave., Schulenburg. Meticulously curated by a panel of esteemed jurors, this remarkable exhibition showcases the finest 50 pieces from a wide array of international artwork submissions. Join us at the enchanting wine and cheese reception, where over $5,000 in cash and merchandise awards will be presented to the winners. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this captivating display, as it will be open to the public from July 15th through September.

SCHULENBURG – The public is invited to attend an opening by ARTS, presenting the International Road Trips 2023 Competition, Saturday, July 15 at 5 p.m. at the ARTS Gorman Gallery, 1201 S Kessler Ave. The event is free and showcases a juried selection of original artwork by artists from around the country,

“El Arco - Arches at Cabos San Lucas” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 24”X30”

Source: https://www.coloradocountycitizen.com/arti...

The Traveling Art Exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

by Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation | June 2, 2023

June is here and so is the Texas heat! If you are in the Houston area and looking for a unique way to spend time indoors, be sure to stop by the traveling art exhibit at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston.

Now open from now until October 1, 2023, the Art of Texas State Parks is a visual arts survey of state parks featuring more than 30 parks by some of Texas' finest artists. The project also includes a commemorative book published by Texas A&M Press. Proceeds from book sales and the sale of the artwork through Foltz Fine Art in Houston will be donated to TPWF to benefit Texas State Parks.

“Lake Raven in Spring, Huntsville State Park” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 30”X40”, collection of Bill and Linda Reaves.

Art Center Waco to feature area artists in exhibition

The latest fine art exhibition and sale by the Professional Artists of Central Texas (PACT) opened in January 19 with an opening reception from 5:00 - 8:00pm at the new Waco Art Center, 701 Eighth Street, Waco, Texas. My four watercolor batik paintings are displayed along with a variety of beautiful art by other PACT members.

The á la carte section of a menu provides variety, some traditional selections, and a few unique concoctions to appeal to a wide array of individual restaurant customers. In the same way, the PACT Collective Exhibition boasts of ARTá la Carte! Artworks from seventeen individual artists are exhibited in one place. And, likely, there is at least one piece that speaks to you!

Each of professionally trained artists have had art-related careers and continue to actively produce art. Though diverse in experience and style, these artworks reflect the personalities of the artists. Look over the entire menu, or in this case, exhibit, and then settle on the one piece that appeals to your taste.

The exhibit is an eclectic array of fine art, highlighting many new works by the PACT artists not previously shown in Waco. The artwork will be for sale through the art center and the show will run through March 11. Founded in 2016 in Waco, Texas, Professional Artists of Central Texas (PACT) is a juried membership of artists who work and sell art, as individuals, and in group shows.

Reprint from Act Locally Waco:
Art Center Waco is hosting an exhibition by Professional Artists of Central Texas Jan. 19-March 11. The “collective exhibition” will boast artworks from 17 artists are exhibited in one place.

PACT promotes the arts in Central Texas. Founded in 2016, the juried membership of artists also work as individuals: creating, selling, and showing their art. The collaborative group aims to “strengthen, improve, and promote the artistic, professional, and economic success of its artists,” an ACW release said.

The 17 artists are from Waco and surrounding area. The artists are: Joanna Burch, Karen Cruce, Joel R. Edwards, Linda Williams Filgo, Carol Fox Henrichs, Hailey Herrera, Cory Lind, Kevin Malone, Kimberly Merck-Moore, Kay Reinke, Judi Simon, Susan Sistrunk, Susan Sterle, Chesley Smith, Melanie Stokes, Charles Wallis, and LaJuana Westerfield.

ARTá la Carte!, the name of the group show, showcases a variety of styles, as varied as the 17 personalities of the artists.

The community is invited t an Opening Reception 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19. The show will be accessible during regular Art Center hours Jan. 19-March 11 when several free demonstrations, gallery talks, docent-led tours and family-friendly activities for viewing art will be available from the PACT artists. The gallery will feature hands-on Creation Stations for children 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 11 as the show closes at the end of spring break.

Contact Art Center Waco, 701 S. Eighth St., or Professional Artists of Central Texas on social media for a calendar of events and activities taking place Jan. 19-March 11.

“Blooming Yucca” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik


State Park Art Exhibit to Travel Texas

by Glasstire | January 13, 2023
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has announced that its new 30-artist exhibition, The Art of Texas State Parks, will travel around the state in 2023 and 2024. The show debuted on January 7 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, where it will remain until April 30. Subsequently it can be seen at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from May 26 through October 1, and at the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum in Canyon from October 27 until February 18 of next year. In 2024 the exhibit will also travel to College Station, Albany, and Tyler. 

The exhibition has been launched to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Texas State Parks. According to a press release from TPWD, the goal of the exhibit is to bring awareness to state parks by following the path of the National Parks System’s lengthy collaboration with artists. TPWD describes the show as “a visual arts survey of state parks featuring more than 30 parks by some of Texas’ most celebrated artists.” These artists include Randy Bacon, Mary Baxter, David Caton, Charles Criner, Margie Crisp, Ric Dentinger, Fidencio Duran, Janet Eager Krueger, Joel Edwards, Malou Fato, Gordon Fowler, Pat Gabriel, David Griffin, Brian Grimm, Clemente Guzman, Karl E. Hall, John Austin Hanna, Billy Hassell, Hailey Herrera, Lee Jamison, Denise Mahlke, Jim Malone, Talmage Minter, William Montgomery, Kermit Oliver, Noe Perez, Jeri Salter, Jim Stoker, Bob Stuth-Wade, and Terri Wells. Karl E. Hall’s 2020 exhibition at the Houston gallery Foltz Fine Arts, titled Inspired Visions: The Art of Karl E. Hall, was the subject of a Glasstire Five minute tour that April. 

In fact, Foltz lists half of the exhibition’s participating artists on its roster. The gallery offered for sale thirty representative works in an exhibition last summer, in conjunction with TPWD, where twenty five percent of profits benefitted Texas State Parks. 

Additional funding for the park system will be gathered from sales of a The Art of Texas State Parks exhibition catalog, authored by Andrew Sansom and Linda J. Reaves and published by Texas A&M Press. In the press release from TPWD, Mr. Sansom stated, “it is our fervent hope that these works of art will inspire present and future generations of Texans to forever appreciate and protect their parks.” 

The exhibit was supported in part by H-E-B. The grocery retailer donated $1 million to TPWD on the occasion of the system’s centennial. “We are grateful for the partnership that is bringing The Art of Texas State Parks to museums across Texas, spreading the message about these natural treasures that belong to us all,” TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. said in the organization’s statement.

For more information on the TPWD centennial, please go here.

Source: https://glasstire.com/2023/01/13/state-par...

Current Exhibition: The Bryan-College Station Community Showcase

Bryan and College Station artists showcase their artwork in the Bryan - College Station area: What does your community mean to you? My artwork “Population 2184”, “Homespun fun”, and “Three 10s” are featured in this showcase.

“Three 10s” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 24”X18”. Three archers from Brazos 4H archery club with an abstract archery target background. The artwork is in Herrera Collection.

“Homespun Fun” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor, 30”X22”. Three ladies from Brazos Spinners and Weavers Guild are showing a demo on the first Friday in Historic Downtown Bryan.

“Population 2184” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 18”X24”. A black and white photo into a batik painting; a woman standing next to one of College Station's original population signs.

Article by Memorial Student Center Visual Arts Committee:

Two cities, countless stories, one gallery.

Every community has memories to share. The Bryan – College Station Community Showcase explores those stories through the work of more than 30 local artists. When brought together, these individual stories tell a larger narrative indicative of a united experience.

With pieces inspired by nature, childhood memories, grief, friendship, and even pop culture references, the emotional range of this exhibit is sure to capture the hearts of many. Not only diverse in topic, the artwork on display includes an array of styles and mediums. Visitors will enjoy oil, acrylic, watercolor, and digital paintings, as well as pencil and pastel drawings, wood and glass sculpture, and photography show the variety of talent and creativity from Bryan and College Station, TX artists.

This collection in all its different forms speaks to the uniqueness of the stories we share. In this exhibit, stories, memories, and the beauty found in the everyday, converge to create the the beautiful puzzle of our community. 

Thank you to the more than 30 individual artists who submitted pieces to this exhibit. The Bryan-College Station Community Showcase was made possible only through your efforts and participation. Thank you also to the Arts Council of Brazos Valley who graciously donated their space.

The Art of Texas State Parks - A Centennial Celebration, 1923-2023

Reprint from Texas A&M University Press:

By Andrew Sansom and Linda J. Reaves
Contributions by William E. Reaves Jr. and Kevin Good

978-1-64843-068-8 Cloth
11 x 10.5 x 0 in
264 pp. 4 b&w, 158 color photos. Map. Appendix. Index.
Pub Date: 09/20/2022

In 2023, the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife marks the 100th anniversary of the state park system. From its inception in 1923, the Texas park system has grown to 95 sites, covering more than 627,000 acres and comprising 74 state parks, 13 historic sites, and 8 natural areas. This vast collection of natural lands and public places now accommodates almost 9 million visitors each year.

The Art of Texas State Parks celebrates this rich tradition, offering an engaging visual arts survey of Texas state parks as seen through the eyes of leading artists from across the state. Editors Andrew Sansom and Linda J. Reaves have collected original works from thirty of the state’s most influential artists. These stunning visual works are accompanied by a thoughtful essay by William E. Reaves on the time-honored legacy of landscape painting in Texas and by Sansom’s reflections on the vital place of landscape art in Texas conservation. Rounding out the collection, assistant state park director Kevin Good offers an informative profile of Texas state parks, and the work concludes with profiles of the artists whose pieces appear in this special centennial collection.

The centennial of the state parks system offers the perfect occasion to create a lasting visual record of Texas parks in art while memorializing the past and ongoing development of the distinctive collection of Lone Star parks and natural areas. The Art of Texas State Parks offers readers increased awareness of Texas parklands and heightens their popular appeal through the elegant and inspired works of some of Texas’ finest contemporary artists.

Includes the work of these artists:
Randy Bacon, Abilene Mary Baxter, Marfa David Caton, Utopia Charles Criner, Houston Margie Crisp, Elgin Ric Dentinger, San Antonio Fidencio Duran, Austin Janet Eager Krueger, Encinal Joel R. Edwards, Waco Malou Flato, Austin Gordon Fowler, Austin Pat Gabriel, Fort Worth David R. Griffin, Dallas Brian Grimm, Fredericksburg Clemente F. Guzman III, San Antonio Karl E. Hall, Houston John Austin Hanna, Fredericksburg Billy Hassell, Fort Worth Hailey E. Herrera, Bryan Lee Jamison, Huntsville Denise LaRue Mahlke, Whitehouse Talmage Minter, Waco William B. Montgomery, Elgin Kermit Oliver, Waco Noe Perez, Corpus Christi Jeri Salter, Hutto Jim Stoker, San Antonio Bob Stuth-Wade, Dublin Terri M. Wells, Austin

Kathie and Ed Cox Jr. Books on Conservation Leadership, sponsored by The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ANDREW SANSOM is one of Texas’ leading conservationists. The former executive director of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University, he has also served as the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Nature Conservancy. He is the coauthor of several books, including Of Texas Rivers and Texas Art. LINDA J. REAVES is former co-owner and vice president of Reaves-Foltz Fine Art. She is coeditor, with William E. Reaves, of Sense of Home: The Art of Richard Stout and King Ranch: A Legacy in Art. She has been an avocational art historian and collector for more than thirty years.

Source: https://www.tamupress.com/book/97816484306...

Art of the Texas Parks - 100 Years of the State Park System

I am one of a selected group of 30 Texas artists for the Art of Texas Park project. The artwork “View Beyond Dogwood, Mission Tejas State Park” has been selected for Texas State Parks traveling exhibition will be held in 2023. Artwork also will be featured in the forthcoming publication by Texas A&M University Press, with Texas Parks & Wildlife, “The Art of Texas State Parks: A Centennial Celebration, 1923-2023.”

“View Beyond Dogwood, Mission Tejas State Park”, by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 40”X30”

Article reprinted from Bullock Museum:

From the rugged mesas of the Panhandle and the steep-sided mountains of Big Bend Country to the waterways of the Gulf Coast and rolling grasslands of the prairies, visitors will journey through the diverse ecological regions of Texas as interpreted by individual artists.

For the first time in its 100 year history and in celebration of its centennial, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has commissioned Texan artists to paint scenes from their parks. Thirty artists were tasked with exploring and painting 65 parks, natural areas, and historic sites in the state park system. The selection of 36 paintings on view are as varied as the parks themselves and offer a snapshot of Texas’s ecosystems and history.

As a collection, these works are more than a visual representation of the state’s park system. They prompt meaningful reflection on the natural beauty of public lands and their significance as places of solace, rejuvenation, recreation, and refuge. Some depict broad vistas and wide-open spaces, others focus on intimate forest scenes or iconic historic monuments. Some are abstractions of natural elements, others are detailed depictions of flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The artists' mediums of choice are as diverse as the scenes — oil, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, charcoal, and Batik are all represented. Read in the artists' own words what inspired them and why they fell in love with Texas’s state parks.

Given the alchemy that occurs when fine artists collide with exquisite landscape, it seems only natural to encourage such visual chemistry.

William E. Reaves and Linda J. Reaves, A Century of Texas State Parks:
Reflections, Recollections, and Aspirations

This exhibition also explores the 100 year history of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Established in 1923 by the 38th Texas Legislature to provide conservation and management of public lands, the TPWD has expanded to 95 sites that represent 627,000 acres of public land. These sites — 74 state parks, 13 historic sites, and 8 natural areas — preserve Texas’ landscapes, provide refuge and habitat for native plants and animals, and offer an increasingly urban population places to connect to the natural world.

The exhibition is supported by The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University

The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.

Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/exhi...

The Art of Texas Parks | Exhibition & Sale Benefiting Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation

My painting, “Lake Raven in Spring, Huntsville State Park” is featured in this exhibition.

“Lake Raven in Spring, Huntsville State Park” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 40”X30”, SOLD

By Foltz Fine Art

On view from July 15–August 27, 2022, Foltz Fine Art will host an Exhibition and Benefit Sale on behalf of Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation presenting a preview of thirty selected works from the upcoming and long-anticipated Art of Texas Parks publication and 2023 touring museum exhibition. 

In 2023, Texas State Parks system will celebrate its 100th anniversary of bringing conservation, recreation, and outdoor experiences to visitors. This year-long celebration will engage families by increasing visitation, engaging new audiences, and celebrating communities across Texas. In anticipation of this occasion, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has partnered with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, Texas State University, Texas A&M University Press, Bullock Texas State History Museum, Texas Capitol and Foltz Fine Art, Houston, to present The Art of Texas Parks.

The Art of Texas Parks project is a visual arts survey and traveling exhibition of Texas State Park scenes through which to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Texas State Parks in 2023. The Art of Texas Parks is intended to increase public awareness of Texas parklands and heighten their popular appeal through the elegant and inspired works of Texas' best contemporary painters. While the national park system has benefitted from their chroniclers in art, no such painted record has yet been undertaken for state parks. The Celebration of 100 years of Texas State Parks offers the perfect occasion to create a lasting visual record of Texas State Parks in art and, at the same time, memorialize the past and ongoing development of the distinctive collection of Lone Star parks and natural areas.

Over the past several years, thirty contemporary artists across Texas were invited to participate in the project and to paint designated state park sites. These “Centennial Artists” were assigned specific state parks to paint; however, their stylistic preference, subject matter, and composition vary significantly at the discretion of the artist. From these submitted works, paintings were selected for inclusion in the upcoming book publication from Texas A&M University Press, the 2023 traveling museum exhibition (to be held at the Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin; Houston Museum of Natural Science, and Witte Museum, San Antonio), and/or gallery exhibition and benefit sale at Foltz Fine Art in Summer 2022. 

Out of the selected works, 30 paintings will be offered at a fixed-price sale this Spring through Foltz Fine Art as they host The Art of Texas Parks Pop-Up Exhibition & Sale Benefitting Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.  Twenty-five percent of the profits from the sale of the paintings will go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

Participating “Centennial Artists” include:  Randy Bacon (Abilene); Mary Baxter (Marfa); David Caton (Utopia); Charles Criner (Houston); Margie Crisp (Elgin); Ric Dentinger (San Antonio); Fidencio Duran (Austin); Janet Eager Krueger (Ensinal); Joel Edwards (Waco); Malou Flato (Austin); Gordon Fowler (Austin); Pat Gabriel (Fort Worth); David Griffin (Lubbock/ Dallas); Brian Grimm (Fredericksburg); Clemente Guzman (San Antonio); Karl E. Hall(Houston); John Hanna (Fredericksburg); Billy Hassell (Fort Worth); Hailey Herrerra (Bryan); Lee Jamison(Huntsville); Denise Mahlke (Whitehouse); Jim Malone (Fort Worth); Talmage Minter (Waco); William Montgomery(Elgin); Kermit Oliver (Waco); Noe Perez (Corpus Christi); Jeri Salter (Lago Vista); Jim Stoker (San Antonio); Bob Stuth-Wade (Dublin); and Terri Wells (Austin).  

The exhibition will be on view in their Houston gallery from July 15–August 27, 2022, with a closing reception with Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation held on Thursday, August 18th, from 5:30-7:30pm.  Many of the artists and authors involved with the project will be in attendance. The online exhibition component will be available from July 1 – August 31, 2022.  For those interested in supporting Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, this is a unique opportunity to preview and purchase works celebrating the upcoming centennial for Texas State Parks.  

To learn more about the "Centennial Artists", please visit: https://foltzgallery.com/texas-parks-centennial-artists

Portfolio | Deep in the Heart - Meet 12 talented Texas artists

By Southwest Art

Reprinted from Southwest Art Magazine (Hailey E. Herrera part)

Where do you live and work? I live in Bryan, TX, and work in my home studio.

What are your favorite subjects to paint? My subject matter is drawn mainly from nature and the landscape, and I paint it stylistically yet representationally. I am inspired by colors, patterns, and designs surrounding me.

How would you describe your style? Impressionistic watercolor batik with a colorful and playful style. Fellow artists call me a colorist. I’m not too concerned with the realistic colors of the subject matter.

Where did you study art? I am primarily self-taught. Teaching small community watercolor classes over the past eight years encourages me to study a variety of techniques and subjects in an effort to stay fresh.

What is your proudest art accomplishment? Being featured on the front page of Fine Art America and Pixel licensing, and having over 3,000 prints purchased by people from around the world. Also, I was one of 30 Texas artists chosen for the Art of Texas Parks Project and officially acknowledged as Centennial Painters.

When you’re not creating art, what else do you enjoy doing? I like anything that feeds my creativity: reading art books and magazines, visiting galleries and museums, watching movies or documentaries about artists or art history. I also enjoy visiting Texas state parks and hiking with my husband and son.

Where can collectors find your work? The Frame Gallery Downtown, Bryan, TX; Degallery, Bryan, TX; www.haileyherrera.com.

“Bluebonnets and Cactus” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik. 24”X18”, in Herrera Collection

“Creekside Tranquility” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 24”X18”, SOLD

Downtown Bryan Association celebrates First Friday’s 15th anniversary with new art project

-Fifteen hearts have been painted by local artists.

By Donnie Tuggle | Sep. 30, 2020 | Bryan, Texas (KBTX)

Friday October 2 marks the 15th anniversary of First Fridays in Downtown Bryan.

“Downtown Bryan is the heart of our community, so what better way to celebrate than through this HeARTbeat project,” says Abigail Noel with the Downtown Bryan Association.

Katelyn Brown with the Downtown Bryan Association says The Downtown Bryan Association is excited to unveil this new art project that showcases 15 wooden hearts painted by 15 local artists.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase their work as artists during this time and also provide the community with a free socially distant, safe activity to bring them to downtown Bryan and enjoy some new public art,” says Brown.

The artists contributing to the art collect are Greta Watkins (The Frame Gallery/Parker Astin Arts Center), Le Hale (The Purple Turtle Art Studio), Jeremy Thompson (Beast Syndicate), Cliff Collard (Arsenal Tattoo), Letitia Alston & Iva Banik (Parker Astin Arts Center), Krislyn Koehn (Arts Council Bryan Artist in Residence), Lisa Urban (Parker Astin Arts Center), Sarah Blackmon, Kaitlyn Dunn, Charles Wallis, Maria Leyva, Jane Sherman, Hailey Herera, and David Sites.

Live music from Rachel Bloem with Trey Efeney and Ben Morris and Eric Fisher of Great American Box Car will take place in front of Carnegie History Center on Main Street.

Source: https://www.kbtx.com/2020/10/01/downtown-b...

STATE PARKS ENLIST ARTISTS TO HELP CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY

I am one of a selected group of 30 Texas artists for the Art of Texas Park project and received official acknowledgment as “Centennial Painters” by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The artwork “View Beyond Dogwood, Mission Tejas State Park” has been selected for Texas State Parks traveling exhibition will be held in 2023. Artwork also will be featured in the forthcoming publication by Texas A&M University Press, with Texas Parks & Wildlife.

“View Beyond Dogwood, Mission Tejas State Park” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 40”X30”

The artwork “Lake Raven in Spring, Huntsville State Park” will be on display for TPWF auction event at Foltz Fine Art, Houston, TX and will be featured in the forthcoming publication by Texas A&M University Press, with Texas Parks & Wildlife.

“Lake Raven in Spring, Huntsville State Park” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 40”X30”, in a private collection

Article reprinted from Teas Parks and Wildlife News:

Park News | March 2020 | Texas Parks and Wildlife

The 100th anniversary of the Texas state park system is coming in 2023, and the planned celebration will feature an artistic component.

Thirty artists have been chosen to paint at least 60 state parks. Parks such as Caddo Lake, Brazos Bend, Galveston Island and Palo Duro Canyon will get the artistic treatment, along with future parks such as Chinati Mountains and Palo Pinto Mountains.

The list of notable Texas landscape artists who have signed on to the project include Billy Hassell of Fort Worth, Randy Bacon of Albany, Mary Baxter of Marfa, David Caton of Utopia, Noe Perez of Corpus Christi, former TPWD artist Clemente Guzman of San Antonio and Margie Crisp and William Montgomery of Elgin.

The paintings will go on exhibit in 2023 at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, the Witte Museum in San Antonio and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They will also be featured in a book to be published by Texas A&M Press.

Twenty-five percent of the profits from the sale of the paintings will go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation.

“There’s a wonderful legacy of art in support of the environment,” says Andy Sansom, former executive director of TPWD who is helping spearhead the project for Texas A&M Press. “This is a stunning example of that. Beyond the dollars and cents, it’s inspirational.”

Some artists have begun their paintings, and some are still formulating their artistic visions.

“I love the state park centennial painting idea, and I’m excited about my two parks — South Llano River State Park and Franklin Mountains State Park,” says Margie Crisp.

“We want the project to be a roaring success.”

Source: https://tpwmagazine.com/archive/2020/mar/s...

Artist Spotlight: Hailey Herrera

BY MIRANDA WHITE | Feb. 5, 2020

Watercolor artist, Hailey E Herrera, started painting when she was 7 years old. Growing up, she participated in many art competitions and school exhibitions. Despite her art teacher’s encouragement to become an artist, she chose the career path as a scientist and graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Computer Science and a Doctorate in Philosophy. After years of being a research scientist and mathematician, she realized there was a void in her life. 

Herrera says that with her career path, “I was never truly happy or satisfied. I thought I lost my path and didn’t know what to do until I started painting again”. She felt her passion for art blossom as she began painting watercolor full-time in 2011. 

Herrera now lives in the Bryan/College Station area working as an artist teaching watercolor classes at DeGallery and City of College Station Parks & Recreation. Her use of watercolor batik method is similar to traditional batik method. Herrera explains, “I use wax as a resistance to block the areas I want to keep colors for each layer. I use paraffin wax and melt it in a hot skillet with temperature control. To wax on rice paper, dip a natural hair brush into hot melted wax and apply it onto the paper”. 

Having experimented with mediums such as acrylic, oil, and pastel, Herrera says, “it seems to me I enjoy painting most when I paint watercolors, and I can control watercolors better than other mediums. One of my favorite ways to paint is to drop colors onto wet paper. It is exciting to see watercolors blend together as they touch the water. I find it fun and relaxing”. 

She is now one of a select group of 30 Texas artists for the Art of Texas Park project to record and interpret a broad sampling of state parks in art. She received official acknowledgement as “Centennial Painters” by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The works by these 30 artists will debut at the State Capital and the Bullock Museum in Austin in early 2023. 

Several artists have inspired her throughout her journey, such as Donald Judd, John Finscher, and Frank Balaam, but the words of W. Joe Innis and Jack White have found a special place in her heart. 

“You’re on your own as an artist, the best and only way to be”. – W. Joe Innis

“Most artists fail because they never try. The quest for perfection and trying to please everyone is a certain formula for failure”. – Jack White.

SEAD Gallery exhibit: “Nature’s Brilliance”

By Dylan Allen  | January 14, 2020 | Maroon Weekly Vol. 16, No. 15

With our rapidly changing weather, the expression, “Seasons come, seasons go” has a bit of a different meaning here in Texas, especially in the Brazos Valley. One could even exaggerate and say that in Aggieland, we only have two: summer and football season. But elsewhere in our great state, the seasons are more clearly defined, and our state parks are some of the best places to view these changes. Finding inspiration from observing the seasons in Texas’ state parks, artist Hailey Herrera shares her vision with us in her beautifully crafted and curated exhibit, “Nature’s Brilliance: Contemplations of Color and Seasons” at the SEAD gallery in Bryan from Jan. 16-Mar. 19. 

“Gardener’s Delight” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 30”X24”, in Herrera Collection

Herrera’s subject matter should come as no surprise, due to her involvement with Texas state parks. The year 2023 will mark the centennial of the Texas Parks System, so multiple entities have teamed up to host a project commemorating the park system in a series of art works. For now, the project is being called “The Art of Texas Parks” and is the result of a collaboration between The Meadow Center for Water and the Environment, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M University Press, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. 

“Elegant Repose” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor batik, 18”X24”, in a private collection

Along with a group of another 29 Texas artists who have received official appointment as “Centennial Painters” by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Herrera and the others serve the project by documenting and interpreting a broad range of our state parks in their art. These 30 individual artists will create pieces which will be curated and debuted at the State Capital and the Bullock Museum in Austin in early 2023. The artwork from the project will be reimagined into a book published by Texas A&M University Press which will accompany the 2023 exhibit.

As always, this SEAD gallery exhibit will open with a reception on Jan. 16 with an evening of art, wine, and hors-d’oeuvres.

For more information, visit http://www.seadgallery.com/

Source: https://maroonweekly.com/sead-gallery-exhi...

Nature’s Brilliance: Contemplations of Color and Seasons

By David Costanza | January 8, 2020

In Texas, we could possibly experience all the seasons in a matter of a week. At SEAD from January 16th- March 19th, experience the brilliance and beauty of all the seasons from taking a light stroll through the Gallery. With beautiful and masterfully crafted art from local artist Hailey Herrera this exhibit will show you pieces of natures brilliance.

“Pink Coral” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor, 16”X12”

In response to the year 2023 marking the centennial for the creation of the Texas State Parks System. The Meadow Center for Water and the Environment, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas A&M University Press, and the Bullock Texas State History Museum are teaming up to host “the Art of Texas Parks” project.

“Green Archway”

Hailey Herrera is one of a selected group of 30 Texas artists for the Art of Texas Park project to record and interpret a broad sampling of state parks in art, and received official acknowledgement as “Centennial Painters” by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“Green Archway” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor, 16”X12”

Works by these 30 artists curated as a museum exhibition will debut at the State Capital and the Bullock Museum in Austin early in 2023. Images of these paintings will also be reproduced in a book entitled “The Art of Texas Parks (working title)” which will accompany the museum exhibition and will be published by Texas A&M University Press.  

Catch a glimpse of art that gained Hailey the recognition of “Centennial Painter” and come visit Nature’s Brilliance: Contemplations of Color and Seasons!


“First Frost” by Hailey E. Herrera, watercolor, 16”X12”

We are open Tuesday-Friday from 11:00-5:30 and Saturdays 1:00-5:30! Come and check out SEAD and Hailey’s masterpieces!