Kelly Alison studied painting at West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas, under David Rindlisbaucher and she studied philosophy at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Moving to The University of Houston her junior year, she was one of the students involved with the original Lawndale Art Annex, where she studied under Richard Stout, Gael Stack, John Alexander, and James Surls. Kelly Alison's figurative work has been exhibited in National and International museums, as well as published in books, catalogs and magazines such as Art in America, Texas Monthly and Town and Country. Alison's work is on permanent exhibition in downtown Houston as part of the Wayfinder project and her work can be seen in many public collections. Click here to view a full resume and images of Kelly's artwork.

Salli Babbitt graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BFA, and has studied at the University of Texas San Antonio and Sam Houston State. Her award-winning work has been acquired by corporations and collectors from around the world. Her most recent solo exhibition at Deborah Colton Gallery showcased a multi-media exhibition investigating the role and expression of the feminine in contemporary culture. She has been teaching classes at Art League Houston over 10 years.To view images of Salli's work click here Salli Art.

Vachu Chilakamarri has been in numerous juried and solo exhibitions, at places such as Dayton Visual Art Center, Miamisburg Art Gallery, and Fairborn Art Association. Most recently, she had a solo exhibition at Intexure Gallery, Houston. She has won multiple awards including the Furtherance Fund Artist Grant in 2002. After receiving a BS in Biology she studied the figure and anatomy at Columbus College of Art & Design and Central State University. In addition to classes at ALH she teaches part-time at Kingwood College. To view images of Vachu's work click here Vachu Art.

Cholla is a celebrated area portrait artist who worked as a court room sketch artist for NBC News for several years before pursuing art as a full time career. She studied at the Art Student’s League in New York where she was greatly influenced by Rafael Soyer’s naturalist style. Her work is collected and exhibited worldwide. She lives and works full-time as a studio artist in Houston, and has been teaching classes for Art League Houston for 40 years! For examples of Cholla's work click here Cholla Art

Ruben Coy studied at the University of Houston and The Houston Museum of Fine Arts School. An instructor for 24 years, his works are found in numerous exhibitions, museums, galleries and collections. His popular rainforest paintings reference the mind's eye– with the theme of earth as a sacred place, they evoke both religious and sensuous feelings. Ruben has been teaching at Art League Houston for over 15 years. He specializes in glazing techniques with oils. Examples of his work can be found on his website. To view his work click here.

Kermit Eisenhut works as a muralist, designer and illustrator, as well as a studio artist. Named Best Artist by the Houston Press in 2000, his work is seen throughout the city in numerous exhibitions and collections. To read about and view images by Kermit visit his website at www.kermitart.com

Caroline Graham, a signature member of the Watercolor Artists Society, began studying art at the Witte Museum and McNay Art Institute in San Antonio. Continuing in the arts, she received her MA from the University of Texas at Austin.  Her love of figures and portraits eventually led to study in the Anatomy Lab at the Baylor College of Medicine. An award winning watercolorist and studio artist, her work is included in numerous exhibitions and collections. Her commissions are seen all over Houston, and collected throughout the country. She has been teaching at Art League Houston for over 12 years.

Laurie Humble  After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Texas State University, Laurie Humble worked in many mediums before settling on transparent watercolor. She has concentrated on her love of watercolor and drawing for the last five years.  Her watercolors have appeared in more than Fifty National and International Exhibitions. Included are such prestigious shows as, the American Watercolor Society, The American Artists Professional League, Watercolor USA, and the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors. Her work has garnered numerous awards.  Laurie is a signature member of the Texas Watercolor Society, the National Society of Artists, Eastern Washington Watercolor Society, Montana Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, Missouri Watercolor Society, and the Watercolor Society of Alabama.

Her work was the subject of a feature article, entitled Three Key Elements of a Successful Painting: Focal Point, Composition, and Depth, in the March 2005 issue of American Artist Magazine, appeared in the Art Values section of Southwest Art, in the June 2006 issue, and the Studio Access section of International Artist, in the December/January 2007 issue. Laurie is currently working with NorthLight Books on a watercolor instructional book, due out in 2008. To view Laurie's work click here.

Kathy Kennedy graduated from the University of Houston with an MFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing. She has over 20 years of experience as a professional bench jeweler and jewelry designer. Her work covers a wide range, from whimsical sculptures to traditional designs. When designing for pleasure, color and humor are a top priority. Vast experience gives Kathy a broad range of knowledge and skills which she extends to her classes.

Polly Liu received a BA and BFA from the Dominican College, Houston, an MFA from the Dominican Fine Art Institute in Florence, Italy, and also completed graduate studies at UH, University of St. Thomas, and in Florence, Italy. She works as an art consultant, art director and calligrapher. She has received numerous exhibitions honors, and her work is in private collections in Europe and Canada. Ms. Liu is an accomplished teacher whose range encompasses Classical Methods, Watercolor, Chinese Painting techniques, and calligraphy. She extensively works in portraiture, figurative and landscape painting, which she considers specialty areas. Click here to view examples of Polly's work.

Steve Parker is a graduate of the Texas Academy of Art and has taught for over 20 years. He is a full time studio artist, and his work can be seen inmany exhibitions, as well as private and public collections.“Part memory, part observation, part intuitive response to deeplyfelt experiences, Steve Parker’s landscapes evoke in the viewer the feeling of havingremembered something long forgotten, a place once visited. There is a feeling of recognition, of the familiar and yet the  elusive.” - Michael Chmiel, Owner, Jack Meier Gallery. To view images of his work and a detailed resume visit his website at www.steveparkerart.com or click here Steve Parker Art for additional images of his work.

Armando Rodriguez was born in Mexico and moved to the U.S. as a child. He received a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Houston in 1982. He works in many media including photography, printmaking (etching, lithography, and monotype), graphic design and bookmaking. In addition to teaching at Art League Houston, he also works for the Houston Chronicle and in the education department of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Mary Rogers received her MS from the University of Houston, Clear Lake, and her BS in Art Education from the University of Northern Illinois. She is an instructor at Bellaire High School and an award-winning, nationally recognized jeweler and metal-smith. In 2006 the Texas Commission on the Arts honored Mary as a “Texas Original” for her outstanding craftsmanship and high artistic standards. To view images of her jewelry visit her website at www.maryrogersjewelry.com or click here.

Emily Sloan is currently a teaching fellow and MFA candidate at the University of Houston. She has a MA from Stephen F. Austin State University and participated in the New York Studio School's Drawing Marathon in 2004. Sloan's work incorporates drawing, sculpture and painting. Many of her pieces use humor to engage the viewer in a dialogue about the environment and preoccupations with the social. To view more of her artwork visit: www.emilysloanblog.blogspot.com

Nestor Topchy is a painter, sculptor, installation artist and performance artist who was born in Somerville, New Jersey in 1963. He has his BFA from the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore (1985) and his MFA in Art from the University of Houston (1987). Topchy has exhibited and performed his work at a number of galleries and museums including the Museo de Nacion (Lima, Peru), The Evergreen Museum, Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore), Arlington Museum of Art (Arlington, Texas), The Art Museum of South East Texas (Beaumont), The Museum of Fine Arts/Houston, The Menil Collection, The Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston, and Project Row Houses, among others. His artist residencies include The Barn, William F. Flannigan Memorial Foundation in Montauk, Long Island (1993) and The Banff Center, Alberta, Canada (1999). In 2003, Nestor was a Visiting Artist/Lecturer on Sacred Art and Architecture at Austin College, Sherman Texas, and in 2005 he presented a lecture, "The Artists Eye: On Ikon Making" at The Menil Collection. Topchy has his work in several notable collections including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the playwright Edward Albee, and Caroline and the late Walter Hopps.

David Waddell, a native Houstonian, received a BFA in painting from the University of Texas at Austin, an MFA in studio art from the American University at Washington D.C, and numerous grants and scholarships including a 2007 Mellon Travel Grant.  He teaches drawing classes at the University of Houston and the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts.  In addition to exhibiting extensively throughout the country, David is a part-time curator, volunteer with a youth outreach program through the Blaffer Gallery, a freelance writer, and the founder/editor of ARTifice online magazine.  Recently his work was shown at Passerby, Gavin Brown Enterprise in Chelsea, the Arlington Arts Center, the Delaware Center for Contemporary Art and Katzen Arts Center. Locally his work was included in an exhibition at city hall annex curated by Gus Kopriva. Click here to view a few of David's mixed media works.