Saturday, two artists that have traveled very different paths will debut their art at First Saturday Arts Market. The event is Oct 7, 2023, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at 540 W. 19th St. Abstract oil painter Johnny Maloney comes by way of Melbourne, Australia. Heights resident Chris Prazak was inspired by his visits to the market and will present his passion of photography from his travels, Saturday.

Originally from Houston, Johnny Maloney, resides in nearby Montrose. He spent a decade studying and then working in Australia. He wasn’t in Australia to paint though, life just pushed him in that direction.

“My work is about the emotional impact of time and how certain events forge the personality of the present,” said Maloney. “I express this through wobbly forms of compounding lines and shapes, to illustrate the malleability of time and the many paths a single moment or choice can create. Coupled with vibrant colors to express the emotions left in the wake of such events.”

Time is what Maloney had a lot of after an accident then lockdowns during the pandemic in Melbourne.

Maloney’s creative life began with studying filmmaking at the prestigious, Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia. After graduating he worked as a freelance filmmaker creating a plethora of music clips, short films and corporate videos. 

  “Always a deep lover and appreciator of art, it wasn’t until an ill fated skateboarding trip left me bedridden, that I finally picked up my paint brushes,” Maloney wrote. “This new creative outlet was a revelation, and while stuck in Melbourne’s lockdowns, I began painting the world around me, ultimately selling a number of these works online.”

First Saturday Arts Market will be Maloney’s second in the U.S. and he is also currently studying painting at the Glassell School of Art. See more of his art at https://www.johnnymaloney.com. 

Chris Prazak’s passion is photography and said in an email he has been a prolific attendee at First Saturday and many of the other Houston markets and festivals. Visiting with other artists inspired Prazak to pursue his passion professionally. 

Prazak describes his art as large, vibrant photography. His subjects certainly are, from massive ancient architecture to airplanes.

“I’ve been an avid photographer for many years,” Prazak wrote. “Over the last few years I have focused on creating photographic pieces that are different from what others are providing in markets.”

“My pictures are often of local landmarks and I work to show them in new light and perspective through long exposures to encourage the viewer to continue getting closer and closer to discover more that they might see at first glance. I love travel, adventure, and artistic exploration and seek to share my journey with others.”

Prazak said that Tim Herschbach, a professional photographer and years long regular exhibitor at First Saturday, steered him in the right direction.

“He (Herschbach) set me down the path to where I now own a top of the line tent, pro panels, large format printer, and all of the equipment necessary to create every step in the process.”

That is what I love about the arts community, there’s room enough for everyone. Follow Prazak on Instagram while he finishes building his website, https://www.instagram.com/chrisprazak. 

Find details about all the artists at First Saturday Arts Market at https://firstsaturdayartsmarket.com. 

 

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.