Jan Strubbe 

NetJa Jewelry

I worked in education as a teacher and coach for thirty-six years with little time for art of any type. I taught web design and psychology in my last several years which did open new doors for future endeavors. I have always had a love for art, photography, web design, graphics, and jewelry, which I am now pursuing at an accelerated rate.  

Upon retirement I realized my artistic side was ready to emerge full throttle.  I started with one of a kind jewelry pieces and had my first show in August of 2016.  I have continued creating jewelry and extensively researching methods, stones, and other bead forms to enrich each piece.  I have continued my education of the craft through numerous classes so I am able to enlist new methods of creation and design into my jewelry.

Natural stones were dominant in my first phase and I now have branched out to add Czech glass, lampwork beads, copper, silver and other one of a kind beads when available. Through travel I have also been able to find beads and other interesting pieces to incorporate into my jewelry.  At the same time, I am now using some of my beads for mixed media journals and other accessories, all uniquely one of a kind.

Photography has always been a passion and I was able to dabble in it during my working years, but I am now able to pursue more advanced techniques and ideas. It is my first love and has offered wonderful memories and allowed me to share my traveling adventures with others through my images.

My newest endeavors are bookbinding and creating sun catchers.  My extensive bead collection has enabled me to branch out in other areas using beads.  Bookbinding, in its beginning stages, is ideal for a journal writer and collector of journals of all materials, subjects and from all over the world.

Jan is currently serving as President. 

Irene worked in the insurance business for decades. Before she retired, Irene took a jewelry workshop and she knew she was hooked. She specializes in only the best for her jewelry, either making the components herself or purchasing one-of-a-kind handmade beads. She uses sterling silver. Some of her jewelry is  enameled using a torch to finish the piece.  You can be sure of getting a truly unique piece of jewelry with her own award-winning original design. 

I graduated from University of Houston in 1979 where I studied under John Alexander, and James Surles.Retired after 31 years as a tool and die maker, I used all the knowledge that I acumulated thru those years in construction materials, and heat treating techonolgy which is used in my art today. I have used watercolors, oils, and acrylics. Art has even taken me into the craft of fusing glass, making jewelry, vases, and plates. As artists we are masters of illusion,and magicians in our own way.

Joy Hoehler is an emerging abstract artist based in Houston, Texas, known for her vibrant

and dynamic creations. She has honed her unique style that captivates viewers with its

fluidity and depth.

Driven by a passion for exploring the intersection of color, form, and emotion, Joy draws

inspiration from nature, emotions, or personal experiences. Her works often evoke a sense

of introspection and wonder, inviting viewers to interpret and connect with the art on a

personal level.

While primarily self-taught, Joy has participated in various local exhibitions and art fairs,

garnering attention for her distinctive artistic voice. Her works have been praised for their

bold use of color, intuitive composition, and evocative energy.

Beyond the canvas, Joy is committed to fostering community engagement and artistic

exploration. She frequently collaborates with other artists and participates in community art

projects, believing in the power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and spark conversation.

As Joy continues to evolve as an artist, she remains dedicated to pushing boundaries,

experimenting with new techniques, and sharing her passion for abstract expressionism

with the world.

The fun for me is in the details and the subtle or bold changes of color and form made by light.   I like to tell stories with my drawings and photos, because there is always a story going on in the image, be it mine, or something in the viewer’s mind. 

I have always loved art in many forms, my main discipline being drawing using pencils, color pencils and charcoal. I have done commissioned portraits for several years. I also enjoy photography, working with gourds, attending workshops, traveling and enjoying the beauty all around us. 

I am a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, member of the Texas Photographic Society, the Texas Gourd Society. I am a past President of the Art League of Baytown and currently serve as the Gallery Director. I have won several awards and been accepted into several shows through the years. 

Born and raised in Houston, Tx, I graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1970. I studied art at the University of Houston, earning a BS in Art Education in 1975. I have lived and worked in Baytown since 1974 after marrying my soulmate, Steve Knight. We raised 2 beautiful daughters and have 4 grandchildren. I retired after 37 yrs. at Sterling Municipal Library and am now finding more time for my art and volunteer on several art-related projects, including the Baytown Sculpture Trail in Baytown, Texas.  

One of my favorite photographers is Albert Render-Patzsh, a master of composition who proudly stated he just photographed what was in front of him, his efforts "aimed at a photographic photography". In an article published in 1966 titled, "A Lecture That Was Never Given", he stated, "I believe that in every concept there lies a partial truth which surpasses time". It seems to me that is exactly what most potographers are attempting to accomplish, no matter the photographic genre. Whether preserving an exact moment, fleshing out a personal vision, or rendering reality as abstract, every photograph is essentially just that, a partial truth which surpasses time. 

                                   Marsha Landers, and the Art of Clay

Marsha also Loves to Take Photographs and Make Greeting Cards with Her Images

Marsha L. Landers' introduction to the ceramic medium came in 1979 when she returned to college to complete an education left behind in the sixties. "I was fortunate to get started in the ceramic medium under the tutelage of Jack McClendon who was a storehouse of knowledge in the arts. Eventually he became a close friend. Later in both undergraduate and graduate work, my instructor was Nick de Vries. Both of these masters greatly influenced me in the direction that I took." It was not until 1987 that Marsha took a more serious interest in ceramics as a profession.

Marsha holds a Master of Arts in Humanities (art and history from the University of Houston Clear Lake and has taught all age groups in public and private school, and college courses including ceramics, photography and design. She has conducted workshops for the blind, hearing impaired and for the burn patients at Shriner's Hospital in Galveston. Her work has been exhibited in a group and solo shows and has received numerous awards in area competitions.

Marsha holds memberships in several professional organizations and currently shows her work at the Art Center of Baytown.

"History has greatly influenced my style and is evident in my choices of ceramic techiques and forms."

Marsha's studio is part of her Cotton Lake Pottery and also the location of her home overlooking the upper end of Trinity Bay. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and baby boomer. A sixth generation Texan, she was born in San Antonio, Texas. Marsha and her husband, Ben, have lived in southeast Texas since 1965.

Marsha's pottery is for sale at the Art Center of Baytown. You can contact Marsha via her website:

https://www.houstonpotters.com

or

facebook.com/cottonlakepottery