Opening Friday: This Artist Wants You to ‘Feel Good’ When Looking at Her Work

Opening Friday: This Artist Wants You to ‘Feel Good’ When Looking at Her Work

Stephanie Gonzalez (photo by Pamela Ashley)

IT’S A SUNNY Friday afternoon, and Houston artist Stephanie Gonzalez, 34, is taking a rare moment to sit still in her East Downtown warehouse studio (albeit while “painting some little flowers”) and talk about her upcoming show Earth Forms, which opens Friday, Oct. 14, at Dillon Kyle Architects.


Earth Forms is a bold and colorful collection of paintings borne out of Gonzalez’s decision to ignore the tropes of struggle and otherness, themes which permeate the art making of many Latinx and LGBTQ artists, and instead create a body of work that reflects the positivity in her life.

“I want people to just feel good,” says Gonzalez of this latest incarnation of her art making. “I want people to focus on something other than the times.”

Focus is a state of mind Gonzalez strives for, using journaling, meditation, and even skateboarding as tools for discovering new ways of making art; for example, she uses layers of dye, gouache, and acrylic marker to create the Earth Forms paintings. Her emotive choice of colors — like gentle, baby blues behind churning torrents blood orange — evoke a hard-won inner calm. Meanwhile, white lines drawn with an acrylic pen squiggle and undulate like an automatic drawing of energy we can’t see, but can sense is all around us, while dots created with the same pen rise like bubbles of oxygen in an alchemic potion. “The dots are very dainty and fragile-looking,” says Gonzalez, who flags this mark making as an example of the feminine, nurturing energy that is always present in her work. “The Earth is so nurturing,” says Gonzalez. “It’s such a mother.”

Friday’s opening will also feature a short musical performance on electric guitar by Gonzalez, who uses a loop pedal to “loop” her playing and singing and perform as a one-person band. “I create songs kind of like a painting,” says Gonzalez, who has played for audiences at Axelrad Beer Garden. “I take away, I put in … .” To further complement the exhibit’s sonic and visual elements, a video of one of Gonzalez’s beautifully constructed lightboxes will be projected on the side of the building.

Though she describes herself as a loner, Gonzalez maintains a professionally designed website to promote and sell her art, and Instagram and TikTok accounts to share with the world what it’s like to live in a warehouse surrounded by plants and spend each day making art. Gonzalez may have the disposition of a monk, but she is completely at ease with the business of being an artist. “I no longer need to look up to the galleries who won’t pay attention to me,” says Gonzalez with a certain amount of pride. “Being able to survive off of my work and continue to do what I love is success.”

Earth Forms opens Oct. 14 and will be on view by appointment until Dec. 2. Contact carlos@dkarc.com for more information.


An untitled work by Gonzalez

Art + Entertainment
‘Natural Passion’ Makes Fourth-Gen Houstonian Sarah Callaway Sulma a Realty Star

AS A FOURTH-generation Houstonian, Sarah Callaway Sulma has a unique and invaluable view of the city. Her deep seated connection to Houston led her down the path to becoming one the city's most well-respected, and renowned real estate agents. Sarah's natural passion for the real estate industry from a young age led her to where she is today. "I know that it sounds cheesy, but it is the truth! I wanted to be in real estate from a young age," Sarah shares. "The late-great restaurateur, Tony Vallone, put me together with real estate legend, Martha Turner, and Martha put me together with Cathy Cagle. The rest is history-13 years of success and counting!" Now with over 13 years in real estate and $55M+ in residential real estate sales, Sarah brings a rare combination of knowledge, skill, and advocacy to each one of her clients.

Keep ReadingShow less

Hugo Ortega (photo by Gittings Photography)

WHAT STARTED AS a casual watering hole with simple soups, salads and sandwiches — and a popcorn machine in the bar — is now a top restaurant owned by one of the city’s most respected restaurateurs and a James Beard Award-winning chef.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food

Norigami spread (photo by Michael Anthony)

FALL IS HERE, supposedly, and while the weather isn't cooperating, the Houston restaurant scene has plenty of cool things in store for this weekend and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Food