Meet Our Artists
Ruby Annette
Ruby Annette Gonzalez is a contemporary portrait painter based in Fredericksburg, Texas. Known for her unique approach to pointillism, she creates highly textured portraits using toothpicks to apply paint, achieving intricate layers of color and brilliance. Ruby Annette is drawn to pointillism for its ability to produce luminosity through complex color layering. While she experiments with watercolor, her finished works are defined by the vibrant texture of her pointillist technique.
Having traveled to over 30 countries, Ruby Annette draws inspiration from the diverse people and cultures she encounters. Her experiences and observations fuel her creativity, allowing her to explore themes of human trust and authenticity in her portraiture. Through her work, she examines how people connect with each other, as well as with music, pop culture, and wildlife.
Ruby Annette’s studio is located on Main Street in Fredericksburg's historic district, at the Artisan’s Loft above Allens Boots. From her studio, she enjoys observing the vibrant activity of tourists while she paints. On weekends, she opens her studio as a gallery and shop for visitors and collectors.
As a proud member of the Fredericksburg Art Guild, Ruby’s pointillism and watercolor portraits are available year-round. She also participates in the annual Marktplatz Spring Art Show & Sale, and the Oktoberfest.
Ruby Annette has also been featured in the Fredericksburg Neighbors Magazine August 2022 issue. Her paintings can be found in private collections across the United States and Europe.
Sheila Bingham
Sheila Bingham, a Fredericksburg native, was raised on her family’s ranch with a view of Enchanted Rock, cultivating in her an appreciation of nature’s beauty. She received a blend of both public and private art training. Graduating in 1973 from Fredericksburg High School, she attended the University of Texas in Austin. Initially majoring in art and later switching to math education, Sheila earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1977. In her art, Sheila focuses on colored pencils and acrylics. Her other hobbies include dancing and gardening.
Cindy Cherrington
My career was in the Oil and Gas Industry for over 35 years. Occasionally, I would take up a new art form and work on it part time. When my son went to college, I became an empty nester with lots of time on my hands. I first started my art career as a wire wrapping artist firing fused dichroic glass cabochons to make jewelry. For over 10 years I was successful as a part time artist. Then, I got laid off my career job. Because of the downturn in the energy market, I decided to be a full-time artist. And I couldn’t be happier!
My love of glass turned from having one small kiln into five. For the past 15 years my passion has been making glass panels using powdered, crushed, and cut pieces of glass. I transform the hard cold glass by layering these compatible glass elements and firing them in a kiln. Layering and firing are done multiple times to create the depth and texture of the glass piece. I work a lot in “tack fusing” which fires the glass to the base glass but leaves the texture. It’s thrilling to open the door each time to see how the piece has developed. It can take many days, even weeks, to complete one piece.
My love of nature inspires me to create landscapes and still life panels. It’s easy to be inspired when living in the hill country for the past 4 years.
As an award-winning glass artist, I compete in numerous juried shows around Texas. My work can be found in several galleries in Texas. I even teach all levels of glass fusing in my studio in Fredericksburg.
I love the true colors of glass and the different ways light plays on transparencies and opaques. There are numerous techniques and styles of fusing glass. Experimenting is the best way to learn, and I continue along that path.
Judy Earls
Judy is a retired librarian who likes to paint, work in multimedia, and clay. Judy says, “I hope you enjoy my work."
Leta Garcia
I was born in a little house on the South Llano River in Junction, Texas, and currently live in the Texas Hill Country near Kendalia, Texas. I have been interested in art from a very early age and have attended several workshops and taken online classes. I love working with oils, but also work with acrylics. After retirement in 2014, and winning the Blanco Lavender Festival in 2016, I started painting seriously and selling my art. I have played the piano since age 5 and I also have done stained glass and Navajo style weaving.
As my two sons grew up, we ranched in Terrell and Brewster Counties and I worked in Sanderson as Terrell County Chief Appraiser, Terrell County ISD Tax Assessor/Collector, and Terrell County ISD Business Manager (one job—many hats). It was in the ranching country of West Texas that I developed a deep love for wide, open spaces, the smell of greasewood after a rain, and the peace and quiet of the desert. Since moving back to the Texas Hill Country I’ve started working on oaks trees and bluebonnets. I feel my first love; however, will always be the Big Bend area of Texas.
I am constantly looking at how the light and shadows play on nature. I feel that my painting reflects my inner soul. My hope is that anyone interested in my art will be able to feel that connection as well.
Truby Hardin
Truby has been painting since 1972 and now teaches oil painting at the Guild on Wednesdays. She prefers to paint still life in the style of the old masters, but offers many Texas bluebonnet paintings as well.
Nancy Hardison
Nancy Hardison is a retired art teacher from the Fredericksburg Independent School District where she enjoyed sharing her love of art with middle school and high school students for 28 years. Ten years ago
Nancy retired from teaching others and embarked upon a personal art career. She joined the Guild where she displays her beautiful landscapes depicting many of the scenes around the hill country. Although no longer teaching professionally, she volunteers for the children’s art classes, which are conducted each year, free of charge, at the Guild.
Nan Henke
Nan says she was not lucky enough to be born in the Texas Hill Country but made up for it by marrying into the Fredericksburg area ranching world. It did not take her long to figure out that she loved it and wanted to paint everything she saw. When she paints, she feels like nothing else matters and she can just live in the color and line of the moment.
Website:
Facebook:
Instagram: Nan Henke Art
Karen Herndon
Capturing the beauty of landscapes and wildlife through vibrant oil paintings.
“Inspired by the Texas Hill Country”
Also, I have done many different mediums, Watercolor, acrylics, and oils
I took oil lessons from Dick Turner in Corpus Christi Tx for 2 years. He moved to Houston, so I didn’t paint for years.. when moved to Boerne Tx, I took a few lessons in Acrylics, watercolor with Chris Johns,
Oil lessons with Becky Roger’s.
Before all of that…..
I worked for Skelly Oil Company, than I had two wonderful boys….then I worked for my friend Elizabeth Ann’s boutique for 6 years, then Julian Gold Boutique, next I build my horse barn Oso Creek Ranch
Plus I played tennis and golf, rode motorcycles with my husband…. I love life
James Heupel
James Heupel is an internationally award-winning photographer whose primary focus is nature and wildlife photography. After 26 years in the Air Force, Heupel, with a lifelong experience in photography, launched a second career as a professional photographer in 2007. Heupel’s intent is to share the beauty of this world with others who haven't had the opportunity to personally experience it. With wildlife, he tries to show in an artistic way, the intimate, emotional and sensitive interactions often not seen by the public who don’t have the time, opportunity or patience to observe them.
Heupel has photographed on all continents of the world, including above the Arctic Circle and below the Antarctic Circle. He is the past president of the Boerne Professional Artists, and was founding partner and artist in Gallery 195, a fine art gallery in Boerne, Texas, for 8 years from 2017-2024. He resides in Fredericksburg, Texas. James Heupel 830-456-1529 www.jheupelphotography.com
Kay Huffman
Looking back, I realize that art has been a part of my life since the beginning. In second grade my "Queen of Hearts," inspired by the character in Alice in Wonderland, earned recognition; at eleven I painted my first oil. Creating special works as gifts, keeping some, and selling others along the way have filled the years. My art, often in multimedia, is more than just a hobby; for instead of photographs, it has become a cherished pastime, a way to capture memories to keep and share.
Peggy Joyce
Peggy loves to paint any subject that “speaks to her.” She strives to be in tune with her subjects to convey the mood and emotions that initially attracted her to the subject.
Mary Lee
Mary Lee was a tole painter for years. After moving to Fredericksburg, Mary decided to try her hand at oil painting. She has been taking classes for three years and absolutely loves it. She hopes y’all enjoy her work as much as she enjoys painting them.
Marion Loucks
Marion Loucks paints landscapes in oils. She has a B.F.A. from the University of Tulsa, post graduate work in Arts Administration and independent study under Nancy Bush, Ann Templeton, Albert Handell and Jill Carver.
Her subject matter reflects the Texas Hill Country where she lives and the southwest where she frequently visits. Her work is in public and private collections.
"I am compelled to paint the landscape for many reasons but especially to record my joy in the natural world around me. I think beauty is a good thing and I want to capture it - if just for a moment."
Tassie Marceaux
Tassie Marceaux was raised in Beaumont, Texas. She has had many moments of inspiration in her life. As a child she would watch her aunt, Tassie Polk Jones, create beautiful works of art. Later, she was 16-years-old, she had the incredible opportunity to travel Europe with a group of students to study art and architecture.
Tassie began painting in her 30s after an illustrious career in interior design. She took lessons at Lamar Universiry under Jerry Newman, and also received teaching from Jeanette Dryden. On this experience, she said, “I had a number of wonderful teachers. I’ve been painting ever since.” Her use of shadow and light provides intriguing depth and dimension. Tassie’s exceptionally detailed brush strokes enhance her subjects’ character and bring them to life, making challenging mediums look easy.
Her artwork centers around recreating memories on canvas – from her travels in Europe, the US, home in Beaumont, and the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Tassie is grateful to have painted many pieces for clients and art exhibits all over the world. Her art has been shown in Beaumont, Galveston, Houston, the Texas Hill Country, and as far away as Paris, France.
Tassie currently resides in Kerrville, Texas. She is involved with the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, Hill Country Arts Foundation, DK Fredericksburg, and is a member of the Fredericksburg Art Guild, where her pieces are on display.
Deb Mason
Deb Mason is a mother of five, grandmother of seven and a retired occupational therapist.
She discovered her creative side as an adult, starting with handmade books, colored pencil and pastel portraits and then onto landscape oil and pastel paintings.
It is her intent that each painting conveys a mystery, a feeling or a mood unique to the viewer.
Jan Miller
Jan likes to take a “naïve” approach to her art; splashing her canvas with an array of colors! Her subject matter is inspired by her day to day journey in life’s great adventure. In 2018, Jan was invited by the Pedernales Creative Arts Alliance to produce a painting for the 2018 Food and Wine Fest.
Tom Miller
Tom’s art is influenced by the early 19th century artists. Tom always tries to paint what he feels and “feel what he paints.” Colors are important to him in projecting these “feelings.”
Suzanne Morhart
Suzanne is a graduate of Kansas State University. She majored in art, with a minor in education. She taught art in Kansas City.
She and her family moved to Cambridge, MA where she continued painting, taking workshops, and participating in community and M.I.T art exhibits. After leaving Massachusetts she lived in Miami Florida. Her work was featured at Par Elegance in Pinecrest Florida. She also took part in the Coconut Grove Art Festival. After moving to Fredericksburg she became a member of the Fredericksburg Art Guild, Die Kuntsler and the Kerrville Art Club.
Her work has received numerous awards over the years and is in private collections.
Jean Northington
As a nature & wildlife photographer, Jean Northington captures the shapes and colors of Texas and the creatures who live here in her fine art photography and digital painting photography.
“I seek compelling content that pulls the viewer in, good composition, and beautiful light in my
quest to elevate photography to art. When a viewer asks me, Is this a painting or a photograph?, I know I’ve achieved my goals. “
Jean’s art is also available at Big Bend Gallery in Alpine, The Gage Hotel gift shop in Marathon, the Paisano Hotel gift shop in Marfa, and Murphy Creek Cellars in Mason. Visit her website at: www.bigbendvistas.com.
Cathy Pankratz
Cathy lives in the Texas Hill Country in Comfort, Texas, a small town close to San Antonio. She has lived here nearly all of her life, graduating from Comfort High School in 1973. She has been married to her husband Kenneth for 47 years and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Cathy started painting in her twenties, but then life happened and she did not pick up a brush again until a few years ago when she was in her sixties. Cathy paints mostly in oils, but also likes to dabble in acrylics and pastels. She has been painting mostly as a hobby, but lately has aspired to become a professional artist.
Cathy participated in the Comfort Art Festival in 2020. She has also recently joined the Kerrville (Texas) Art Club, where she currently holds the office of Secretary. Since joining, she has participated in one show and awarded second place for a landscape and an honorable mention in the wildlife category. She was also named Artist of the Month in February, 2021.
Cathy can be reached at cathypankratzarts@gmail.com or her website: cathypankratzarts.com.
DJ Roche
DJ (Donna) Roche works primarily in encaustic medium. A retired firefighter, she has an affinity for the process, which requires heat and flame to fix the medium of beeswax, resin, and pigment. Her work includes abstracts, impressionistic landscapes, and assemblages incorporating metal, bone, paper, fabric, and natural elements including leaves, grasses, twigs, feathers, and seeds.
Melissa Starry
Melissa enjoys a narrative style in her photography and mixed media paintings. She incorporates photography, printmaking, acrylics, oil pastels, collage, and found objects onto textured paper or canvas. “Creativity is an exciting process: an idea can evolve over many years. Available mediums and subject matter are endless.”
Jeffrey Yentz
The pen and ink creative process is “pulling” from the paper the hidden lines which were always there.
Professionally, I have been an Architect for the better part of four decades with an emphasis on healthcare architecture. My projects range from Hawaii in the west to Glasgow, Scotland in the east and from Massachusetts in the north to El Salvador in the south.
As a programmer and planner my travels have necessitated observing people, places, and things. As such, a sketchbook and pens are always within an arm’s reach.
Each drawing begins with a theme and/or a story in mind and then translates into a charcoal pencil framework. Being satisfied with the direction I then use a .5 pen to establish the outlines and character by using another .5 pen to create cross-hatching layers and shadowing. Should the piece be “telling me” a modicum of color is necessary, I then employ pencils and markers with the final addition strategically adding charcoal pencil into shadow areas and gently blending into the “story’s” last chapter.
I hope you enjoy my work.
Kristine Ziems
Kristine is a self-taught, intuitive artist who gains inspiration from her travels as well as her local environment. Her work expresses what she sees and feels in an abstract manner. Kristine started painting in 2015 primarily with alcohol ink, acrylic paint, and encaustic wax. She loves color, texture, and movement in her paintings. She will often mix techniques, media, and materials to create unique pieces of art.
In 2022, Kristine’s abstract piece entitled “White Cardinal” placed first in paintings in the 17th Annual Juried Show “Texas Faces and Places” held at the Guild for all Hill Country Artist. In 2019, Kristine’s encaustic piece, “Mt. Fuji” placed third in mixed media in the 16th Annual Juried Show “Magic of the Ordinary” held at the Guild.
In addition to the Guild, her work can be seen at Chase’s Place Cocktails + Kitchen, 313 E. San Antonio Street in Fredericksburg.
Kristine is honored to have her art with private collectors currently in Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, and Florida. She accepts a limited number of commissions each year. Feel free to contact her!