First Saturday Arts Market, Houston’s original, outdoor monthly art market returns Saturday, November 4 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. with 48 artists exhibiting. Located at 540 W. 19th St., in the Houston Heights, patrons can visit with area artists, listen to live music and partake in adult libations from Houston Cider Company.
The November 4, 2023 First Saturday Arts Market has a special out of town guest in artist, P. Shoba Rani. Rani has traveled from Bangalore, India with husband Ramula to visit family. Rani brought her art with her, and at the suggestion of brother and sister-in-law Venu and Elsie Rao, will showcase her mosaic style paintings on acrylic board for the first time to an American audience.
Shoba Rani brought two collections with her to the U.S., Tipsy and Disposition series. Rani believes that it is only natural to create. She is experimental in her approach, pushing the boundaries of traditional mediums and materials as well as subject matter. She embodies the notion that being inspired by one’s surroundings keeps one young.
“Ecstasy,” part of the “Tipsy,” series was inspired by an article Rani read in a science magazine about how different spirits look under an electron microscope. Ecstasy is actually champagne!
Shoba Rani is a retired educator and experimental artist based in Bangalore, India. Her art is inspired by the cosmos itself. She sees beauty in everyday objects at the macro and microscopic levels. She delights in expressing what she sees in vibrant colors. As a lifelong artist she has created art with a variety of materials including fabrics, wood, shells, beads, seeds, stones, and any material that works for her vision. Her most recent work featured here, is an acrylic sheet painted with translucent glass paints, acrylic paints and crystals.
“I’ve been creating ever since I was a child,” Rani says. “I’ve since expressed myself through various traditional mediums, finding ways to mix and match them. But my most interesting work has involved experimentation with alternate mediums: candles, driftwood, fabrics, seeds, stones, m-seal … anything at all really. Now, I work with acrylic boards that mimic glass. I work with light, colour and my unique perspective.”
Mrs. Rani’s website is https://www.shobacreations.com/
This free outdoor gathering offers a variety of art, from paintings and sculpture to photography and jewelry. Whether an art connoisseur or just looking for a good time, the First Saturday Arts Market is a go-to spot. It’s where art meets fun, and it’s been doing so for nearly two decades.
Music Saturday is Americana style acoustic with a mix of country, rock, and blues. Al Shire of Austin kicks off the music with his originals at 1 p.m. then following at 2 p.m. the Wendy Elizabeth Jones Band.
Details:
First Saturday Arts Market
540 W. 19th St. Houston, TX 77008
The market is open September through May. A complete artist roster is on the website: https://firstsaturdayartsmarket.com/artist-roster/
