Here are five Texas-based artists you should know about from the 2022 Rockport Art Festival
ROCKPORT — The Rockport Art Festival has been a beacon for Texas artists since 1969 to showcase their work and have locals purchase one-of-a-kind pieces.
The 2022 festival was held Saturday and Sunday near Little Bay with more than 120 artists.
The event also serves as a fundraiser for Rockport Center for the Arts. Proceeds go toward creating and sustaining free to low-cost programs hosted by the center year-round.
With many artists at the festival, the Caller-Times selected five Texas-based creators readers should know about.
Jackie Haliburton - Mixed media
As a child, Jackie Haliburton enjoyed painting. When she came into adulthood, she continued with painting her children's rooms.
"One day my husband told me I needed to do something with my art," Haliburton said. "He got me into an art show and people started to notice me. Then he got me into a juried art show and I was put on TV."
Haliburton said at the latter show, she made nearly $6,000 in two days from her artwork.
"I knew right then and there I was going to stick (to) this professionally," Haliburton said.
A self-proclaimed folk artist in Katy, she is self taught and creates pieces with mixed media. She said she got into the art form by isolating characters from a scene she was working on. Haliburton is known for her "Tall People" and "Big Mamas" collections.
"I just love creating things," Haliburton said.
Contact: jackiehaliburton.com, instagram.com/jackiesfolkart
Advice to artists: "Just go and do it. If you love art and it's something you want to do, do it. Everybody has a gift. Go on and jump into it."
Kristine Schneider — Oil painting
Based in The Woodlands, Kristine Schneider has been painting for 28 years.
"It's been a journey," Schneider said.
Her artwork process starts when she is feeling a "big emotion." Schneider will snap a photo and turn it into an oil painting.
"I have thousands of photos and every once in a while they turn into a great composition," Schneider said. "The three things I like to paint are architecture, nature and people."
Shy and introverted, Schneider said art is an easier way to communicate with people to let them know how she sees the world.
Working in her studio, she said creating her pieces brings her ease.
"It gives me a moment to spend a lot more time with that photo and explore what emotions I was feeling when I took it," Schneider said. "I can get lost in every detail."
Contact: kristineschneiderart.com, instagram.com/kristineschneiderart
Advice to artists: "Whether you're a painter, drawer or whatever, do it everyday. A little bit everyday."
Shannon Siver — Photography
Shannon Siver has been into photography his entire life.
At a young age, he was gifted with an Instamatic camera and then an SLR camera in his high school years.
"I didn't do photography when raising my kids, but about 15 years ago I got back into it," Siver said. "I got a Nikon and equipment and went to phenomenal places to capture."
Siver, from Lake Livingston, said he likes to "bring places back to people." If they're too old to travel to Big Bend, or don't want to spend so much money on gas, he is able to bring wilderness back to them.
He said taking photos of nature and scenic adventure keeps him balanced. He said to see his work resonate with people inspires him to continue his craft.
"I see so many beautiful things that I don't think people see," Siver said. "I get to share my stories and photos with people who are taken away with my work."
Contact: windowsintotexas.com, instagram.com/windowsintotexas
Advice to artists: "Find your passion and niche. Explore your interests and express yourself. Reveal yourself to the world."
Jon Welborn — Woodturning
Located in Pittsburg, Texas, Jon Welborn has been making art out of wood for the past eight years.
What started as making bowls has turned into creative pieces of art.
"I like being able to turn out a piece from a solid chunk of wood," Welborn said.
Sourcing his own material, he said woodturning is a better fit for him.
Welborn said he wants to please people, but when he's creating a piece he doesn't keep someone in his mind to try and appeal.
"I'm selling what I make instead of making what I sell," Welborn said. "I make a piece that suits me and then other people will want it."
Contact: jonwelbornstudio.com, instagram.com/jonwelborn90
Advice to artists: "Find what works for you. Find your niche. Find what you will work on no matter what."
Chris Zurovec — Jewelry
When making a gift for a friend 10 years ago, Chris Zurovec realized he might be onto something.
Working on his original piece, he thought a quarter would be a good starting place because it has a copper core.
"I thought if I etched away the silver it would have a cool contrast," Zurovec said. "I liked how it turned out so I kept experimenting."
For the most part, Zurovec said he works with coins from his garage in Johnson City to make jewelry.
He said he gets coins from online, but is also open to creating special orders for people from their personal coin collection.
Zurovec said he's dabbled in other forms of art, but making necklaces out of coins is something he's enjoyed the most.
"It's the first thing I dived into and had fun," Zurovec said.
Contact: instagram.com/manmadedesign
Advice to artists: "Make it up as you go."
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Five Texas-based artists you should know about from Rockport festival
