Meet the Artists
|
Barbara Berkesch: Leather Craft
Barb was born in Northern Ohio, spending most of her life there. She enjoyed showing and breeding Great Pyrenees. Upon receiving a carved leather Great Pyrenees key chain, she became fascinated with leather craft and joined the North Coast Leather Guild, Crooked River Leather Artists and Berea fine Arts Club. Upon retiring in 2016, Barb moved to Llano. Her leather art is inspired by her love of nature. She's also added western themed crafts and offers clients personalized and custom creations. |
|
|
Bea Wimberley: Artist, Mixed Media
Bea was born in Llano and has studied with gifted watercolor artists like: Doug Walton, Kathy Summers, Carol Light, Mary Jo Harding, Larry Weston, Lillian Fowler, Miles Batt, Jan Kuntz, and Anita Diebel. Her paintings combine vivid combinations of color, contrasting with broad or fine line drawings to create a unique transparent look. She playfully experiments by combining collage elements like torn paper, old photographs, or colorful fibers---anything to evoke a particular emotion or mood Bea's Advice: “Art is an expression of your personal feelings about a subject. Heartfelt emotions is what gives the work life. Pursue your own form of expression and paint subjects that move you. The key to developing your style is to paint daily and Make art from the heart.” |
|
|
Becky Widner: Artist, Abstracts / Acrylic Pour
|
|
|
Betty Blackmond: Artist
Betty lives in Bertram, Texas. She enjoys painting with oils and watercolor. She has held many careers including: rancher, farmer, city planner, art teacher and graphic artist. |
|
|
Cheryl Quallenberg: Graphic Artist
Cheryl has contributed to the Llano Arts since 2002. Her graphic design, logos and business branding can be seen throughout the community. She has been instrumental in founding: Llano Trail of the Deer, Llano Art Guild Children's Art Camp, LEAF Llano Earth Art Fest, @LAST Llano Art Studio Tour, and the Llano River Pumpkin Float. Cheryl also works in paint, and mixed media with floral and natural materials. |
|
|
Lou Quallenberg: Mesquite Furniture
Lou is an award winning, master mesquite artist., winning awards for: Best Art Style (2x), Best Texas Style Furniture (8x), The WoodCraft Award, The Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation Award, 2013 Best Local Artist - Llano County Journal, and British Airways Face of Opportunity Award. Lou's work has been featured in magazines and publications, with his work shipping to happy clients worldwide. Lou's unique wooden sculptures are easily recognizable and hand rubbed to they point they call out to be touched. |
|
|
Dana Wood: Artist, Mixed Media
“Art and Music make our world go round as they soothe the savage soul of the universe. I cannot imagine a world without the beauty and pleasure of both.” Dana began doodling, painting, taking photos, creating found object artistic pieces, and writing as a young child in my first ”studio” …the garage of my childhood home. She was fortunate to have teachers who encouraged creativity in young, aspiring students. Fueled with that encouragement, Dana carried a double major in Art & English Literature at Houston Baptist University. She has also attended writing and art workshops in Houston, Austin, New Mexico and Colorado. Dana often marchs to the beat of different drummer both in life and in her art and she's good with that. Being creative on many levels and in various medium have always brought her great happiness & peace. Her current challenge is learning watercolor: the most difficult of all media…and the most beautiful... because of its amazing fluid motion. |
|
|
Darlene Dishman: Artist
|
|
|
Donna Davis: Artist, Oils
Donna is a retired schoolteacher who taught music, art, language arts and social studies. She also worked with high school band programs in San Antonio, Llano and around Texas as a Colorguard instructor clinician and judge. She rekindled her love of art by painting backdrops for her Colorguard competition programs. Upon retirement she began painting scenes of her favorite Texas Hill Country locations in Llano and Blanco Counties. |
|
|
Ira Kennedy: Artist
Born in a tent near San Saba, Ira is a fifth generation Texan of Cherokee Irish descent. Growing up in numerous locations from Japan to Germany, his experiences are as diverse as his talents. Ira's exposure to Australian Aboriginal art and the ancient rock art of Southwest Indians came together to evoke an artistic epiphany. He had two solo exhibitions and was part of the exhibit in a group show, "The Art of Money”, in New York City's Chelsea Gallery, known for featuring many internationally known artists, including Andy Warhol. Ira has had his share of artistic success. In 2015 his work was included in Acrylic Works 2, Acrylic Artist magazine, Southwest Art and several online publications His art is held in numerous private collections from Australia to South Korea and New York to Texas. Ira currently lives in Llano County. |
|
|
Jacquelyn Cherico: Glass Fusion Art
During my teaching career from the 70'- 90's ,I used art as means to reach my behaviorally disturbed kids. For several years I contracted out glass pieces for builders and individuals, while giving free lessons to kids in my neighborhood: I have never taken money for the lessons with kids , as I feel they can learn about the Creator as they create. My passion is glass, specifically fusing glass and stretching my skills in this media. Currently I am looking for the budding artist who can excel in the glass media, so that I may one day leave my supplies to him. |
|
|
Jane Lynch: Recycled Artwork
Jane has been involved with different art mediums such as sewing, macrame, spinning & weaving, gourds, collage and altered assembled art. She feels recycled art is her last art form, the media she was always searching for; recycling from nature, discarded items and junk store treasures. Jane had formal training in weaving at Texas Tech Center in Junction and was influenced by the various art classes since then. She lives in Llano, taught elementary school for 26 years and says that's her excuse for funky and unusual art. Jane's goal is to be challenged and have fun, as can be seen her in creations. |
|
|
Jean Bass: Artist, Oils & Acrylics
Jean lives in Llano. Her medium is oils. She's attended workshops in Colorado, Utah and Arizona but considers herself to be mostly self-taught. Since moving to Llano, she is focusing on creating paintings of local landmarks and Texas Hill Country sceneary. |
|
|
Kathleen Riordan: Pottery
Kathleen enjoys time in her pottery studio where she creates wheel thrown and altered pottery as well as hand-built pieces. She continually explores technique in her own studio. and create one-of-a-kind original pieces. Currently she works with high fire clay and glazes. Visit her website to learn more about her work. You can also find her work in Llano at The Wild Weed Artisan Shop and at Maker's Market @513 in Marble Falls. |
|
|
Kathy Kennedy: Quilt Artist
Kathy began creating art quilts in 2019 using a variety of methods, including fabric collage and applique. She has won ribbons for her quilts at local quilt shows, and two of her quilts, "Sunflower Dreamscape" and "Serenity" were selected to be included in the "In Full Bloom" exhibit at the 2023 International Quilt Show in Houston, Texas. Her quilt, "Monarch and Milkweed", was chosen for the Cherrywood Challenge in 2023 and will also be exhibited in Houston. She also creates kaleidoscope quilts using her husband Ira Kennedy’s fabric panels. |
|
|
LA Hollins: Artist, Abstracts & Mixed Media
An abstract painter who excels with acrylics, inks, hi-flows, Nat Geo collage, citrasolv, sprays, found objects, assemblage, rice paper, and mixed media. LA is a modern abstract expressionist creating and exhibiting artwork from a remote Texas Hill Country art studio. The works are best described as: dense, organic richly layered abstracts, consider solitude, intense color, nature, garden, wildlife, ephemera, spirituality and fragmented technology - pieces expose ultraviolet light transitions with use of interference and metallic paints, fluorescents, sprays, inks, and heavy texture. In the artist's words, "The expression of energy, life, memories, dreams, floating and contemplation, hope and tranquility. escape the stresses of everyday life." |
|
|
Lisa Miller: Dot Painting & Antler Art
Lisa creates hand-painted designs in Dot Painting (known as pointilism) and traditional henna-style painting. |
|
|
Lori Welch: Needle Felted Animal Sculptures
Artisan Lori Welch from Burnet, TX is Farmyard Fibers. She is an accomplished fiber artist specializing in making animals to scale with wire armatures which are posable. These works of art are lifelike critters of our world created by Lori - from tiny creatures which are wearable to some which are life size. Her creations are so amazingly real you will find yourself talking to them and giving them names. She is constantly looking for new and innovative ways to improve her wondrous skill in needle felting, even flying to far off places to learn new techniques. Lori loves to share her expertise with others as she loves her craft and meeting other fiber enthusiasts. |
|
|
Maggie Livings: Artist, Oils
Living in the ‘middle of nowhere’ in SW Llano County, Maggie's art primarily focuses on what she sees in nature, much of it through the lens of her husband's camera. She is a retired RN who has gardened with Texas native plants for over 40 years and volunteered for many years at the LBJ Wildflower Center in Austin. Her thoughts: “I began oil painting in my early 70's. Learning to paint doesn’t require talent—only desire and practice. That’s it. Talent can help a person become an exceptional artist but it is not the key to learning to draw and paint. In addition, the ability to see, not what things are--a flower, a bird, a chair--but what they are made up of--shapes, values, colors--is another piece of the puzzle. “If I can paint, anyone can paint”, Maggie continues. “I never believed I could draw, much less paint a picture. Heck, I could barely color. Life is full of surprises!!” |
|
|
Marcus Hammons: Photography & Rock Stack Art
Marcus Hammons is a local landscaper who has been stacking rocks for ten years. He began stacking in Galveston and his hobby thrived when he and his wife Valerie moved to the hill country. He was instrumental in the creation of the first Llano rockstacking championship and the Llano Earth Art Fest in 2015. Marcus, a graduate of Louisiana Tech with a degree in plant science, grew up in the Houston/Llano area. He returned to Llano in 2013 and immediately brought rock stacking to the area. Marcus now incorporates his stacks into low maintenance xeriscape design, staying true to his philosophy of stacking and Earth art as therapy and a form of relaxation. Photography has been an artistic endeavor for Marcus since he was 13 years old. Marcus lost nearly 12,000 35mm negatives due to Hurricane Ike. He still strives through with the digital age and the influx of modern digital photography. |
|
|
Margaret Wilkinson: Artist, Acrylics & Oils
Margaret Nancy Wilkinson, artist and interior designer, grew up playing on the Little Llano River and having candy from the Lone Grove Store. Fifth generation Texan, Margaret is ingrained in the historic lore of Llano County and its pioneer families. Margaret studied art at Texas State University. After receiving a Bachelor and Master's Degrees, she traveled and taught, prior to becoming an interior designer. For 37 years, as an interior designer Margaret used her artistic skills to create luxurious upscale interiors for resort and home. Currently, Margaret exhibits at the Llano Art Gallery working with oils and acrylics on canvas. |
|
|
Marla Ripperda: Painter /Sculptor
“What is my art about? It’s about raucous joy, quiet beauty and the humor which makes us human.” Marla Ripperda is a fifth generation Texan with Central Texas roots going back to 1850. She began her professional career with decorative faux painting effects, murals and customized stencils. In 1995 Marla also began sculpting, and now works in both two and three dimensions. In 2000 Marla opened a studio beside her Lake Buchanan home. In June 2019 she joined Daniel Adams Fine Art Gallery co-owning a small gallery in Marble Falls. Covid 19 caused the gallery to close and she moved to Daniel’s larger gallery at Buchanan Dam until it closed 2021. She currently exhibits her art at Llano Fine Arts Guild and Gallery, the Highland Arts Gallery in Marble Falls as well as the Marble Falls Visitor Center, Adriano’s Italian Restaurant, Tea Thyme and La-Ti-Da’s. She has outdoor sculptures exhibited in Georgetown, Round Rock, Marble Falls, Bee Cave, Salado and Jewett, Texas. |
|
|
Pamela Presley: Photography
"I moved to Llano in 2011. I love the huge sky displays, the flowers and wildlife of the hill country. There is always an interesting site or subject to photograph. After being born and raised in Houston, a city girl, the town of Llano with a river running through it, is an amazing breath of fresh air. The sunsets are glorious. The night sky is full of bright, Texas stars and huge moon shows. In my photographs I try to capture the essence of that second, that moment when I feel the need to share this place, I call home.” Pamela is now retired in Llano and enjoying pursuing her love of photography and art. |
|
|
Paula Haynes: Pottery
Paula Haynes works in ceramics. She took classes at Richland Community College in Dallas for seven years, then moved to Brookhaven Community College, which had a more sophisticated program in ceramics, and took ceramics credit classes for six additional years. She was able to experiment with making a large variety of pieces and learn numerous approaches to firing her ceramics. Paula became a member of the Llano Art Guild in 2015. She makes hand thrown and hand built ceramic pieces, often combining and altering them. She enjoys nature and making whimsical pieces for outdoors. She loves it when her art can bring a smile to someone’s face. She is currently working on Toad Houses, Planters, Wall Cones, etc. Paula has entered her ceramic pieces in the Texas State Fair and has won numerous ribbons. |
|
|
Rickie & John Newell: Gourd Art / Woodworking
Rickie holds an exceptional enthusiasm and passion for the pursuit of gourd art. She graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Theatre Education and pursued a career in teaching theatre. Upon retirement in 2010, she and her husband John settled in the Hill Country of Texas. Even before the house was begun, the garden was planted, and gourds were growing for Purple Martin houses. Soon more artistic use of those gourds came to her attention and a passion bloomed. Rickie especially enjoys carving gourds and embellishing a design with waxed linen closed coiling, pine needle coiling, or pyrography. She works most often with alcohol ink dyes and acrylic inks. She likes the organic element of gourd art. Because she grows and sells gourds from their farm outside of Llano. Rickie welcomes all to her porch to work on gourds. She is the editor of The Gourdzette, published four times a year on the Texas Gourd Society website. She and Don Sharp co-founded the Hill Country Gourd Patch, which meets monthly on the second Saturday. John creates and displays decorative and functional wooden furniture. |
|
|
Ronda Ivy: Artist, Oils
Ronda's career as a professional artist and a private art teacher. Her usual medium is oil but she also works with printmaking, clay, pastels, and pencil. She enjoys realistic landscape and abstract painting. Ronda uses her photography as her subject matters. She was honored as one of the Special Exhibition Artists in 2023. |
|
|
Sandra Overstreet: Artist: Oils, Pastels, Watercolors
Sandra is a lifelong resident of Llano County and has been involved in many local activities and organizations over the years. Although her professional life has always been about numbers, 37 years as an Independent Insurance Agency Manager and 8 years as Llano County Treasurer, her true love has always been the creation of art. She studied photography through the New York Institute of Photography and maintained a part-time studio for over a decade, photographing all of the sports teams for Llano Junior High and High School, the summer league baseball teams, school parties and many weddings. Those functions allowed her to pay for the hundreds of creative photos taken for her own enjoyment. After retiring at the end of 2014, she was finally able to pursue her dream and devote time and energy to art. She has studied under Carla Sanchez, Kim Roberti, Doug Prine and others since January 2015 and now paints in oils, pastels and watercolors. |
|
|
Shirley Cunningham: Textile Art
|
|
|
Valerie Smasal-Hammons: Collage Art
Valerie has been an artist of some kind all of her life. She followed her passion for the arts and graduated from Texas State in 1996 with a degree in theatre. She worked for major theatres and talent agencies in New Orleans, Austin and Galveston. Her love for visual arts grew while she was living in New Orleans, serving on the Attending Arts Committee of Young Leadership Council and the board of St. Alphonsus Art & Cultural Center. After Hurricane Katrina, she moved to Galveston and met the love of her life, Marcus. They married in 2008 and became an instant family with his three beautiful kids. In 2013, she moved to the hill country and joined the Llano art guild. After being involved in the creation of the summer art camp, an opportunity to open an art shop became available. Since then, she has used her theatrical flair to create a unique blend of art, theatre and music into the hill country’s premier art shop, Calamity & Grace. |
|
