howlin' good

40+ regional artists are working on the second Meow Wolf in Texas

Not too long after the legendary, extra-dimensional art space Meow Wolf opened in Grapevine, Texas, it has announced another upcoming location in the Lone Star State.

That'll be, Meow Wolf Houston, to be exact. The visionary art-collective-turned-pioneers in the experiential art world, are proud to unveil some of the creative minds behind the collective’s fifth permanent installation in Houston's historic Fifth Ward. A diverse ensemble of more than 40 contributing artists from Texas will collaborate with Meow Wolf’s in-house artist team for what promises to be an vibrant addition the city's art and cultural landscape..

"The brilliance and vision of these artists echo the heartbeat of Houston,” noted GONZO247, who serves as Meow Wolf’s Houston artist liaison, in a press materials (locals know him as our city's most famous graffiti artist). “Collectively, this exhibition will be a reflection of Houston culture as much as the fantastical realms of Meow Wolf that fans expect.”

Participants will include Kill Joy, the prominent international art activist; El Franco Lee, a Fifth Ward mainstay; Afsaneh Aayani, one of Houston's few female theater puppeteers; and Trenton Doyle Hancock, who weaves comic book elements, classical mythology, and multimedia installations into his work.

Han Santana-Sayles, Meow Wolf's senior director of artist collaboration, invited local curators and nonprofits to build artist lists for the exhibition. "I want each Meow Wolf exhibition to be a reflection of relevant contemporary artists in that region,” Santana-Sayles noted in a statement. “In order to find the best creatives to work with, we love consulting with local curators or nonprofits who support emerging artists to build artist lists with us."

Meow Wolf has not yet revealed the name, theme, or opening date of the exhibition, but art fans can expect updates as they are announced.

Although there's no news yet of an Austin-area location, this one should be slightly easier to to get to than the existing location in the Dallas suburb Grapevine. Even better, some higher-up Meow Wolf team members will be visiting Austin during South by Southwest this year on March 12.

Image courtesy of the artist

Afsaneh Aayani's dazzling works will be included.

Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

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