FOX 4: KidSwing Golf Tournament

FOX 4: KidSwing Golf Tournament

by | Jul 18, 2019 | Events, Press Coverage

FOX 4 Good Day interviewed Korban Best, KidSwing Golf Tournament Junior Committee member and Stephanie Brigger, Vice President of Development for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, to talk about the upcoming golf tournament.
 
Founded in 2003 by former patient Ben Sater, KidSwing is all about kids helping kids.  To date, the annual event has raised more than $2 million for the patients at Scottish Rite Hospital and this year’s player fundraising will benefit the new inclusive playground at the Frisco facility. 
 
The golf tournament will take place on Monday, July 22 at Stonebriar Country Club, Frisco, Texas. 
 
Watch Fox 4’s feature or learn more about KidSwing

Summer Colors Artist Spotlight: Current and Former Patient Artist

Summer Colors Artist Spotlight: Current and Former Patient Artist

by | Jul 15, 2019 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 11th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Scottish Rite Hospital. 

We’d like to introduce you to our Scottish Rite Former and Current patients who will be participating and donating their artwork in this years Summer Colors Silent Auction: 

Christina Mitchella

 
How long were you a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital?
As an infant
 
What were you treated for?
Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH)

TTS Shee FEATURED ARTIST CHRISTINA MITCHELLA YEAVE SUMMER COLORS. A woman stands in front of a table with a sign that says christina mitchella

Biography/ Artistic Background:
 
As a former patient of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, I am pleased to be able to give back in a way that I can – through my art.  It is mutually beneficial that I am able to show my art as well as participate in supporting the children of Scottish Rite. 

In 1985, not long after I was born, I was diagnosed with a Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) that resulted in a bone clicking sound every time my leg moved. The issue could have caused other bone problems as I grew, and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children treated me with a Pavlik harness that held my hips in a sling that would correct the problem and promote normal growth. The Pavlik harness allowed for me to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of my hip while it was developing.

The treatment helped all the bones grow properly without a malformation from the bone on bone disturbance. Today, all is well and every bone in place just as it should be, and I am very grateful to the doctors at Scottish Rite Hospital!

SHO 103 C.Mitchello SUMMER COLORS CHRISTIN MITCHELL ART AUCTION Rid SUMMER COLORS Sheet. A painting on an easel with a sign next to it that says painting expo

How long have you been a Summer Colors Artist?
 
Since 2015
 
What inspires your artwork?
 
My art is remarkably inspired and contemplative, spanning many different artistic mediums. I often use the synergistic relationship between music, color and light as a muse to gain insight into my work. Whether I am creating a portrait, painting in still life, or transforming a canvas with abstract expressionism, my impeccable attention to detail and vibrant use of color breathes life into every stroke and sketch.

Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why?

Oil is my medium of choice as it spreads like butter across a canvas. The colors blend seamlessly together like a beautiful sunset sky. Any mess is worth it, as I admire the textures and array of endless colors.

Describe yourself in three words:

It is my hope that her works will emit joy, stir inspiration and spread enthusiasm for the arts in all who view them.

Charlsie Doan

How long have you been a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital?
Since I was 6 months old.

What were you treated for? 
I was born with symbrachydactyly—I was born without fingers on my right hand. I’ve mostly been involved with the prosthetics department for the creation and maintenance of different things they make to help me.

RES CYON CAFE SUTIMER COLORS Bid SUMMER COLORS CHARLSIE DOAN. A girl in a white dress stands in front of a table with paintings and a sign that says charlie doan

Biography/ Artistic Background:
I’ve been involved with the arts since as long as I can remember, and they’ve always been a huge part of my life. I’m a ballet dancer and a violinist—I’m minoring in music at the University of North Carolina. My grandmother introduced me to painting when I was young and gave me the set of watercolors that I use today. I’ve never taken any formal classes in visual arts because I prefer to follow my own instincts and style. It’s the one thing I do where there is absolutely no pressure, and I’m free to do and create whatever I’d like. 

A table with a sign that says charlsie doan on it | FEATURED ARTIST CHARLSIE DOAN Bid CELEBRATING 10 YEARS SUMMER COLORS AN ART AUCTION SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL BOLIVIEN P Name of Painting: "Night Sky Artist: Charlsie Doan Value: $50 Bid Increment: $10 Bid Sheet CELEBRATING 10 YEARS SUMMER COLORS AN ART AUCTION BENEFITING SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHILD DIMER COLORS Sheet Phone Number Bid Amount 525

How long have you been a Summer Colors Artist?
This will be my fourth year. 
 
What inspires your artwork?
I think lines and curves are what make nature beautiful—the jagged outline of a mountain against the sky, the curve of a duck’s belly, sloping cursive writing, the line that a dancer makes when she reaches out her arm, and (in the painting I did for this year’s summer colors) the curved wood of a violin.

is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why?
My favorite medium is watercolor, but in a more abstract sense, I love the connections I can make between all the types of art I study. It’s a constant cycle of inspiration: music, dance, and visual art all influence and shape each other in my world, as they do in the world at large. Degas painted Paris Opera dancers, Saint-Saens composed “Danse Macabre” based on a painting called The Macabre Dance, Tchaikovsky wrote Swan Lake for a Russian ballet company. It’s all pretty amazing how everything connects.
 
Describe yourself in three words:
Stubborn, witty, intense.

Abby Law

 
How long were you a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital? What were you treated for?  
My first appointment here at Scottish Rite was in 2010 with Dr. Sucato. I was treated for my scoliosis from 2013-2015, and I spent about a year and a half wearing a back brace. In 2015, I ended up having surgery for my scoliosis. I am extremely thankful for the wonderful doctors and staff that have made my journey possible.

Biography/ Artistic Background:
My name is Abby Law, and I am an artist. I first picked up a camera and started entering photography competitions when I was eleven years old. I am a self-taught photographer, and I am very proud of how far my work has come. Over the years, I have earned many awards for my photos, including many ribbons in the State Fair and the Trinity River Photo Contest’s Grand Prize. I have also hosted numerous photo shows for charity, giving a portion of the proceeds to none other than the Scottish Rite Hospital. I see it as my way of giving back to the hospital, because they have helped improve so many lives- including my own.
 
In addition to photography, I also work with other less traditional mediums in my spare time. Some of my favorites are special effects makeup, music composition, and video game design. I am currently in the process of writing a video game, and I have composed many songs for the soundtrack. This Fall, I will be heading off to the Savannah College of Art and Design to pursue my many artistic endeavors.
 
How long have you been a Summer Colors Artist?
 
I have been a Summer Colors Artist since 2017.

FEATURED ARTIST ABIGAIL LAW Bid CELEBRATING 10 YEARS SUMMER COLORS AN ART AUCTION BENEFITING SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHEEDR CELEBRATING 10 YEARS SUMMER COLORS AN ART AUCTION SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CHELDEEN D Sheet Name of Painting: "The Path Less Travelled" Artist: Abigail Law Value: $150 Bid Increment :$15 Bidder Number Phone Number Bid Amount $40 CELEBRATING 10 YEARS SUMMER COLORS AN ART AUCTION SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL CHILDREN Name of Painting: "Colorful Cottage" Artist: Abigail Law Value: $150 Bid Increment: $15 Bid Sheet Bid Amount 540

What inspires your artwork?
 
My work tends to be inspired by the beauty of nature, and all of the tiny things in life that often go overlooked.

Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why?
 
I enjoy working with many artistic mediums. Although photography is my primary medium, I also enjoy drawing, sequential art, special effects makeup, creative writing, music composition, and video game design– just to name a few.

Describe yourself in three words:

Creative, Humorous, and Quirky. It’s hard to fit my entire personality into just three words!

Desmond Blair

 
What is your role at Scottish Rite Hospital?
IT Infrastructure Project Manager. I manage all the hospital projects that involve network infrastructure, telecommunications, hardware, and I also work with the Cybersecurity team. 

Biography/ Artistic Background:
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I became a patient at the hospital about a month after I was born. I’ve loved art, specifically animation, since I was a kid. My background with art started as a by-product of learning how to write so I could begin grade school. After learning how to write, I began drawing and creating cartoons. As I got older, I ventured into using different types of media. Once I completed grade school, I went on to continue my undergrad and graduate education at the University of Texas at Dallas where I studied computer graphics for gaming and 3D animation. After spending about 3 or 4 years only doing digital work, I had a desire to get back into traditional painting with oils. Painting gave me a way to put emotions and feelings into my work that I felt could only be conveyed through the tactile feedback you get from working with traditional media.  After bouncing around with my subject matter, I settled on painting people because I like learning from others and telling a story about them in one painting.     

A painting of a woman blowing a pink bubble gum

How long have you been a Summer Colors Artist?
 
9 years! Time flies! Summer colors was one of my first shows!
 
What inspires your artwork?
 
I draw my inspiration from people, music, and the stories they tell. I love painting portraits in a way that invokes an emotional response from the viewer.

Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most?
 
Why? I really like painting large scale portraits when I can. I paint smaller ones too, but the large ones I think really allow me to capture emotion and the large scale amplifies that.  
 
 Humble, Determined, and Inquisitive

Sonam Tashi

How long have you been a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital? 6 months
 
What were you treated for? Clubfoot
 
Artistic Background: Sometimes I like art!
 
What inspires your artwork? Sometimes I get bored and just do it, but there are times that art can be interesting.

A painting on a table with a sign that says inpatients | FEATURED ARTIST Patients of TSR 2018 ARTWORK BY SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL INPATIENTS SUMMER COLORS BOSTON WY NOVIN

Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why? Listening to music while I create art. I like listening to Sunflower by. Post Malone because it is FUN.
 
 Nice, Playful, Giver (I enjoy giving stuff to friends/ everybody).

* *. A colorful painting of cactus and flowers with stars in the background

Hazel Rivera

How long have you been a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital? I’ve been a patient for 7 years. I’ve been coming here since I was 4 years old.
 
What were you treated for? I had a curve on my back, and I am here to get my back straight.

Biography/ Artistic Background: I love to do arts and crafts every chance I get.

What inspires your artwork? Because it is FUN. I feel excited when I do art, and I forget why I’m at the hospital. I LOVE doing art!!!

Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why? I love painting. I love how paint gets in my hands and seeing all the different colors on my hand.

 Smile, helpful, sweet

Tacovian Bell

How long have you been a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital? 7 months and counting
 
What were you treated for? Blount’s Disease

A colorful painting of a city skyline on a black background

Biography/ Artistic Background: I’ve been doing art my whole life. Anything could be art, anything that you use to express yourself is a form of art. Music is art. Games are art.  You (yourself) are art because everyone is unique in their own way.

What inspires your artwork? Art calms me down because I know how to do it. For those people who say they can’t do art just TRY. For a long time, I did not know how to do art, but from trying anything you believe you can achieve. I hope art helps other kids.
 
Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why? Listening to music while I create art. I love music. I listen to music and I get inspired. I get a pen and paper and the music guides my hands, and I start creating art. It is COOL!
 
 Smart, Funny, and Playful

A painting of colorful flowers on a purple background

Rhudi Perez

 
How long have you been a patient of Scottish Rite Hospital? 6 months
 
What were you treated for? Scoliosis
 
Biography/ Artistic Background: I took two years of advance art, which taught me so much about art, it showed me how to make beautiful flowers. I also enjoy doing arts and crafts at home, my go to craft is Slime! 

What inspires your artwork? Strength. I love doing art work that shows other people not be scared. There is a canvas painting that I did and it’s outside the hallway of Child Life. It says “You are Amazing, You are Strong, You are Brave”
 
Is there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why? I enjoy painting because it calms me down, it’s fun, and it’s a great distraction.
 
Describe yourself in three words: Funny, Bright, Kind

Summer Colors Artist Spotlight: Current and Former Patient Artist

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part IV

by | Jul 8, 2019 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 11th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Scottish Rite for Children.

JENNY GRUMBLES KOZIOL

Jenny Grumbles grew up in southern California and spent her summers and college years living in Dallas, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. After studying journalism and studio art at Southern Methodist University in 2002, she devoted her time to painting and founding the J.Grumbles Studio in San Diego. Jenny has been represented in galleries and shops in California, Georgia, and Texas.

A colorful painting with the name samuels on it

A painting of pink and white flowers in a vase with the name bouble on the bottom

Since realizing her passion in painting in 1994, she has created an impressionist style with loose brush strokes and an emphasis on light and color. There is never black on her palette (unless necessary for a specific commission or modern piece). She uses color to make her own version of black paint. Her subject matter includes everything from children on the beach to home interiors, florals, cities, abstracts and commissioned work. Jenny attributes much of her success to her mentor, the renowned Claudia Hartley, and to gallery owner, Anne Irwin, of Atlanta.

Jenny also uses her creative skills to devote time to another passion: her own home decorating/furnishings business, Uptown Country Home, where she was the proprietor of her own retail store for ten years. During this time, she was a buyer on A&E’s hit series Storage Wars Texas for 36 episodes. After giving birth to her son in 2014, she closed her retail store to focus primarily on her painting. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Loren, and her son, Thompson Cook.

CAROLINE QUISENBERRY

Since childhood, my creativity & passion for design has fueled my drive to become an artist. My creativity thrives when I push myself to explore new experiences, learn new skill sets, & discover opportunities to push my art beyond my own expectations. Finding the beauty & value in everything around me has further developed my medium & has led me to utilize many forms of mixed media, origami, & recycled material to transform my canvas into a 3D experience.

A blue and white painting with circles and lines

As I navigate life with all my energy from the very beginning & understand that life’s hardships & lessons will play a major part in my artistic journey. I liken my art to a river – you need to lay back & let the river take you where you need to go. Don’t fight the current. Design your own life & style.

CHRISTI MERIL

Christi Meril is a Dallas-based contemporary artist who has been creating abstract mixed media works on canvas, wood, paper and acrylic for over a decade. Her goal is for her art to bring light, optimism, challenge and beauty to each and every space it calls home. Every one of Christi’s original works reflects these elements of inspiration as they become movement, color, texture and at times even text in her work. As a self-taught artist her desire to create has been a life-long journey that has been influenced by the both the tangible and intangible things of life. Places of inspiration ranging from anywhere in the Rocky Mountains, NYC, far West Texas, museums, coffee shops, hiking trails, the stained glass of a chapel and urban murals, as well as relationships with people new and old, near and far have always found themselves woven into her original non-traditional creations.

Christi’s artistic ethos is “art with purpose” and revolves around acts of compassion and pursuing equality for all people as evidenced by her long-standing relationships with numerous charitable arts organizations. Christi strongly believes in giving back to her community by donating her art to a myriad of causes. She proudly served as Art Chair for the 2017 Dwell With Dignity Thrift Studio event, and has donated her art to their highly acclaimed and highly-anticipated Pop Up Store since 2013. 

A colorful painting of trees with a black tree in the middle

She has also donated her work and served on the Host Committee in 2017 and 2018 for the Summer Colors Art Auction benefiting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and will be a group of talented artists heading the 212 Studio Art Auction Committee and will also be supporting the West Dallas Community School’s emerging art program by participating in the auction in the spring of 2019.

Current and recent shows/exhibits include the “China-US Art Exhibition” at the Artist Showplace Gallery in Dallas, October 2018, “Evening in the Stars” Art Exhibition Downtown Dallas, November 2018, “Art & Color Party” in the Dallas Design District, February 2019, “VIP Show” for Studio 212, Uptown Dallas and the Studio 212 Auction, Gilley’s Dallas, March 2019. Tate Studio, Dallas February-March 2019. Christi is also excited to announce that she will be joined by her husband Scott along with his photography for their show titled “eye2eye: our journey with art” at the beautiful Center for the the Arts in Crested Butte, Colorado running from September 17-30, 2019.

Christi’s studio/gallery is located in the ALG Collective at 1302 Dragon Street in the Dallas Design District. She is at her studio almost daily where she works alongside two incredible Dallas artists, Melissa Ellis and Anna Curnes. Her work is also available in the Dallas area at Unmistakably Molly in University Park, Tate Studio, Dallas, Kerr Collection, Dallas and in ROAM Fine Goods in Crested Butte, Colorado.

A close up of a colorful painting on a white surface .

LORI CUSICK

In 2002, Lori decided to follow her life’s passion and recommitted herself to painting. At this time, she first engaged in plein air painting. “The challenges presented by painting nature while being part of that nature have taught me a tremendous amount about studying light and manipulating paint.” The one constant through her paintings: her energetic spontaneous brushstroke, applying paint with a confident contemporary approach.

Lori resides in Dallas, a long way from the mountains of New York where she was born and raised. She attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, earning a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. Over the following years, Lori successfully pursued a career as a commercial artist designing for advertising agencies and running her own design studio. She is currently Design Director for the award-winning Private Clubs magazine. You see the influence of her commercial career in her exciting compositions.. silhouettes of the world.

Inspiration: Nature and the ever-changing light.

CHARLSIE DOAN

Charlsie Doan has been painting as long as she can remember. She loves art in all its forms — she’s also a violinist and a dancer — and is inspired by both classical works and the movement of nature. Her preferred medium is watercolor. Charlsie will be a first-year Carolina Scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in August.

A painting of a night sky with trees in the foreground

A close up of a colorful painting on a table

Autumn Gilly

Autumn Gilly is a self-taught artist who combines an abstract fluid painting technique with the use of acrylic paints and other chemicals agents to achieve a one-of-a-kind expression. Autumn has been drawing and sketching with the dream of being an artist since the age of 8. With parents as musicians for much of her childhood, an entrepreneurial spirit, and an eye for the avant-garde, Autumn was bound for the Arts. Autumn earned a bachelor’s degree after studying Marketing from Dallas Baptist University.

I derive a lot of inspiration from traveling and exploring the human mind and soul.  When I travel, I absorb the culture around me, and my aesthetic experience provides me with a constant source of inspiration. Each adventure abroad is like the journey of a human soul woven and spun in a never-ending journey around the globe.

Jill Scovell

Studied studio art at Wheaton College with a BA in Fine Arts. I have been painting over the years for commission, art shows and murals. My inspiration is Texas plains, Alex Katz, poster advertisement of the 1930’s era, American folk art and Edward Hopper.

A painting of a texas sign with a heart on it

A painting of a cowboy riding a horse in the water

Kathleen Zierhut

Texas.

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

by | Jun 24, 2019 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 11th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Scottish Rite for Children.

BRITTNEY WELLS

Background: I have been painting and drawing since I was 5 years old. I am a former patient of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. I received my BFA in graphic design from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 2010. I will paint or draw on anything that will hold paint. The world is my canvas, from walls (murals) to shoes to printing t-shirts to paint on making my own canvases; I’m blessed to say I do it all!

Inspiration: I get my inspiration from everyday life and sometimes even my dreams. Most times I’ll let my imagination run wild on a canvas.

A green crayon and a red crayon on a white surface

A green and yellow painting with a white background

HEATHER GALLAGHER

I am a mom of three beautiful children, a wife, a sister, a daughter, and a friend to many. I have lived in Texas my whole life and North Texas for most of that. I work for locally based non-profit ambulance service Careflite.  I am a paramedic and enjoy taking care of my patients and their families. I paint as a hobby. I never really considered myself and artist, but I truly enjoy creating art, so I guess that makes me one.

Inspiration: I love seeing what colors work together, and never really know what is going to end up on the canvas. I love abstract art, as it can mean many different things to many different people. I love blues and greens, and fluid movement. I take inspiration from my children’s drawings and paintings that they make because they are truly random and beautiful.

LAURA RUNGE

I am a Texas native and earned a BA in Journalism from Baylor University. After many years in the corporateworld, I took the leap of faith to pursue my lifelong passion as a self-taught artist. I am now a full time, working artist and dedicate my days to painting and searching for creative avenues in everything I do.

A close up of a painting of angel wings

Inspiration: My passions are creating and inspiring, and I wake up each day in hopes of combining the two in every endeavor. I paint in acrylics, often combining stains and metallic leafs and powders into my pieces. I am drawn to objects that reflect movement, and this is incorporated into my works. Finding beauty in unusual objects and places, I use unconventional tools and techniques to create imaginative, one-of-a-kind works of art. My goal is to create a painting for the buyer that will add flair and a special dimension to the space where it will reside.

2018. A purple and blue painting with a gold foil border

JOANNE “JOJO” HERDA

Rocket scientist turned self-taught abstract artist utilizing a blend of the analytical mind and artistic passion to create harmonious balance of color on canvas with compassion and diligence. Artwork is created for the individual collector, clients of leading interior design and non-profit organizations. JoJo was honored to be named a Fashion Group Internal of Dallas 2016Rising Star Nominee in Art.

Inspiration: Artwork inspiration is drawn from life experiences, 80’s flare, and the color found in everyday objects.

Jenn Thatcher

Jenn Thatcher has always has a love for color and design. After moving to Texas from Chicago 10 years ago, she was working for a Wall Street firm with a demanding travel schedule and long hours. Being a wife and mother of three, with two of the children being Scottish rite patients, she finally decided to leave her corporate career to pursue painting full time.

A colorful painting with the letters a and g on it

Jenn believes that creating art is a gift from God, and a blank canvas is a metaphor for life. It can be anything you want it to be. And if you don’t like the direction it’s going, it’s never too late to start over or change direction.

A pink and white painting with the letter t on it

It’s so important to remember that everyone and everything can be beautiful at some point in time, it’s all a matter of how you look at it. Jenn’s work is featured in stores through the US and works directly with designers and clients in the Dallas area. Some of her work can be viewed on Instagram @Jenn_Thatcher_Art or on her website at www.jennthatcher.com

Michelle Elwazir

The interplay of natural and man-made geometric forms and textures is a unifying theme in Michelle Elwazir’s photographic work. She has always been amazed and surprised by the beauty of nature.  The subjects of artistic observation, interpretation, and discipline surrounded her from an early age.  Her fascination with color and texture as well as the urge to fix her observations artistically was informed by her childhood surrounded by the art and sculpture of her artist parents (her mother is a sculptor of exotic pottery and her father is a watercolorist and sculptor).

A close up of a blue rock with mountains in the background

Michelle has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s in education development. Her projects have included commercial fashion and product photography, portraiture, and abstract art photography.  She has taught photography related workshops at the Dallas Center for Photography.

A painting with a lot of different colors on it

Lori Rayfield

After pouring her creativity into a career in Marketing & Non-Profit….Lori now pours those creative juices into her art! Originally from St. Louis, she settled in Dallas, Texas with her husband where they raised their 3 beautiful children and is now making a splash in the Dallas art scene! Although her works are abstract influenced, each piece maintains subtle personal and visual inspirations of blended color from the beautiful world we live in. She paints with no fear in this next stage of life and considers herself successful when someone loves a piece that she poured her heart into.

Taelor Fisher

Taelor Fisher is a Dallas based Fine Artist. She has studied at New York University in the Tisch School of the Arts in New York, NY, and Southern Methodist University in the Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas. From her days in school she has been significantly focused on the beauty of the flower, which has since become the major focus of inspiration in her work. She was commissioned to design a print for Neiman Marcus and The House of Creed on their new women’s fragrance, Floralie. This design can be seen in every Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Creed Boutique across the United States and France. Her work has been featured in multiple publications and collected publicly and privately across the country.

A framed painting with the letters jp on it

A painting of a red and gold background with a signature on the bottom right

Christina Mitchella

Dallas native, Christina Mitchella, is an accomplished and award-winning artist specializing in impressionistic drawings and abstract oil paintings. Her life-long zeal for the arts transitioned from passion to career. After graduating with a Bachelors in Fine Arts, Christina began actively showing her works in galleries, competing in art shows, auctions and completing commissioned pieces for her growing base of followers and supporters.

Christina’s art is remarkably inspired and contemplative, spanning many different artistic mediums. Whether she is creating a portrait, painting in still life, or transforming a canvas with abstract expressionism, her impeccable attention to detail and vibrant use of color breathes life into every stroke and sketch.

It is Christina’s hope that her works will emit joy, stir inspiration and spread enthusiasm for the arts in all who view them. Her works can be viewed in galleries throughout Texas, and she is currently available for commissioned work.

Carolyn Joe Daniel

Carolyn grew up in Dallas where her love for whimsical illustration began as a child. She earned a BA in Studio Art and Art History at Wake Forest University and was fortunate to experience art while traveling and working abroad as a curatorial assistant in galleries in Sydney, Australia. Painting has been a wonderful 20+ year long ribbon of color, tying together many of her memories.

A colorful painting of a flower with a blue background

Today she enjoys creating commissioned works for residential and commercial spaces while collaborating with designers and retailers. She is represented by Maestri Gallery in Dallas’ Deep Ellum. Her work has been adapted to fashion for Rosie + Belle, Roma rain boots, athleisure leggings, and home decor textiles, including custom wallcovering via Look Walls for commercial and residential use. Carolyn was recently commissioned to develop brand assets used in marketing for Bertolli’s new US line of organic Carapelli olive oil campaign, The Art of the Olive.

Carolyn paints in her home studio, alongside two mini muses / budding artists. She enjoys giving back to many wonderful causes including Dwell with Dignity, LECPTA and DISD schools, Texas 4000 for Cancer, West Dallas Community School, Scottish Rite’s Summer Colors, and Junior League of Dallas.

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part III

Summer Colors Artist Spotlights: Part I

by | Jun 10, 2019 | Events

Summer Colors, now in its 11th year, was an idea born out of passion for both art and the patients of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Founded in 2009 by Jenny and Loren Koziol, this silent art auction raises awareness about the hospital, while also exposing the Dallas community to up and coming local artists. Each year, local artists donate original pieces of art to be featured in the auction, with all the proceeds benefiting our hospital. Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to all of the artists. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, July 25, at Scottish Rite for Children. 

A winding road in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains .

Abigail Law

Abby Law is an 18-year-old, award winning artist from Dallas. Her main focus is photography and she currently runs her own small photography business.  Aside from that, she also enjoys working in the fields of game development, music composition, special effects makeup, and sequential art. As of this Fall, she will begin her studies at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to pursue her artistic career.

Abby is also a former patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Diagnosed with Scoliosis in 7th grade, she wore a back brace for a year and a half before it was determined that she needed surgery to correct her spinal curvature. Since her surgery, Abby has been determined to give back (no pun intended). She held three annual art shows with the proceeds benefitting Scottish Rite and was able to present checks to the hospital during her visits with Dr. Sucato. Abby is honored to be selected to participate in Summer Colors for her third consecutive year because she feels it is another opportunity to show her love and respect for Scottish Rite. 

A pink house in the mountains with a rainbow in the sky .

ALLYSON HALL

Allyson Hall happily tabled her career as a journalist for the adventures of motherhood almost nine years ago. Four babies later, the youngest finally on board the “potty train,” she finally figured out what she wanted to be when she grew up. Allyson followed the pull to turn her creativity into a professional pursuit that excited her every day. It started with photography. She loves capturing the unexpected moment, the unposed expression on faces. Her Nikon is like a fifth child — it goes everywhere with her.

About face silhouettes is an extension of Allyson’s passion for photography, a new use for the thousands of .jpgs that were building up in her photo library. She was looking for a fresh medium to capture the images of her children and remembered the great black and white silhouettes of Allyson as a kid.

By first photographing her subjects’ profiles, she has a fixed moment from which she can trace a detailed silhouette. Allyson takes her time, putting great care into precisely cutting the slope of a nose, the pout of the lips or the curl in the hair. This is what sets an “about face” original apart from many other silhouettes. The greatest compliment she has received comes from clients who say they can fill in the rest of the silhouetted face’s features with their mind’s eye.

A tunnel with a rainbow painted on the side of it

Allyson uses sturdy colored cardstock to give her silhouettes a modern vibe and to provide her clients another opportunity to express their individuality. So that’s what Allyson is about. She hopes that her work adds a splash of color to your walls and makes you smile.

A painting of a woman with a prosthetic leg

DESMOND BLAIR

Desmond is a Dallas based 2D artist that specializes in oil painting. Desmond experiments with various types of composition but most of his work centers around the human figure. He attempts to capture the emotion of specific moments and is heavily influenced by 2D animation. Desmond also channels the creativity from his art work into his work as a Project Manager for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. He believes creativity is just as much about solving problems as it is exploring possibilities.

Inspiration: Family, mentors, friends and I also find inspiration from people I meet. I feel that people are passion because people carry stories with them that can have so much wisdom and opportunities to learn more about life.

KATHLEEN MEKAILEK

As an artist, I tend to draw inspiration from the land around me. I see the beauty in an abandoned well, a piece of sand, a damaged tree. I believe the world is a place of beauty and want to bring my interpretation of this for others to see. I try to capture beauty in rustic and abandoned places and want to seize moments in time before they are lost forever. I believe that by bringing attention to things that are often overlooked or taken for granted, others will have their minds opened and appreciate the special world they are surrounded by every day.

A pattern of blue white and black circles on a grey background

A painting with a lot of blue and green colors

Leida A. Bartmess

Constantly pushing the edge, LeidaB presses in her work for discovery and celebration. Her compositions are fluid, with color and dimension setting the pace for a unique painting every time with a new journey. Viewing a LeidaB painting is a rich experience that drips with color and emotion. Her passionate works are alive with movement, boldly created with brushes and a palette knife. She loves working with acrylics, heavy mediums, resin and found objects, dramatically transferring her vision to the canvas and ultimately on to the viewer.

Catherine Seals

Seals. A colorful painting by seals with a gray background

Sealy. A painting by sealy has a lot of different colors

Catherine is inspired by colors and the moods that they create together. Raising three small children can by exhausting, but at the same time gives her energy and brightness to her art work. 

A painting of a body of water with mountains in the background

HELEN GREEN

Helen Green’s work was described by a local Dallas store as “simplistic beauty with light and airy colors that will add a touch of summer to any room”. Raised in Boerne, Texas under her mom’s easel, Helen has developed her graceful style, which has caught the attention of area stores, cafes and followers on Facebook site called GraceFilledNestTumblr.com

Her education began at the University of Texas but chose to graduate at the Art Institute of Dallas. She left the stressful corporate world environment after beginning her career in a high-end specialty store in the visual communications department and ending as a senior art director for a national retailer. Now she finds true joy and peace as a stay at home mom with her precious 6-year-old daughter where she takes time to paint in her studio.

She also has mini art camps from home to encourage children to find joy in painting during a two hour session. Each with devotion, inspiration and snacks. They leave with their painted canvases and a smile! Facebook site called “Grace Filled Nest Mini Art Camps”

Sweetly rooted in her faith, Helen is moved daily by the beauty that she sees in the world through the eyes of the LORD. It’s amazing the following that she is blessed with in like-minded people and others that recognize a still small voice in her work. 

A painting of a body of water with mountains in the background

A black and white painting of a lake with trees in the background

Helen Doty

I was born and raised in Manchester, England. As a teenager I lived with my parents in Singapore for 4 years, before moving with them to Chicago IL. I was working as a computer programmer when I met my husband. After marrying my American, we moved down to Texas, where we have lived happily for over 10 years. We are now raising our two daughters here in Frisco, Texas. I have only been painting for a year. Purely for just the pleasure of creating at first. Then as gifts for friends and family. I am excited to have just sold my first commissioned piece!

Inspiration: I get my ideas by chatting with the person that is looking to add something to a space or room, with photos, or a certain color palette.

Lydia Abigail

Lydia Abigail is best known for her attention to detail in all work she produces. Although she began in detailed sketch work, she now primarily focuses on her impressionistic and colorful paintings. Lydia lives and works in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, also the place she began as an artist. After minoring in art and winning the TCC Art Department Award in 2014, Lydia continued her artistic education through self-instruction.

A painting that has a lot of spots on it

Lydia has displayed in numerous local businesses since then, including the Texas White House, The Laughing Willow, Dance Culture’s Gallery, and the Dallas Kohler Signature Store, for which she painted a claw-foot bathtub. Her work has been featured in Fathom Magazine, Breathe You In, and Art House’s Visual Showcase. Lydia plans on continuing to strengthen her craft through discovery, experimentation, and working with local & national galleries and businesses. Inspiration: Lydia is mainly inspired by the movement of music and the texture within nature. Her oil paintings attempt to emulate the vibrancy and life that surrounds her.

Aidan – BMW Dallas Marathon Patient Champion

Aidan – BMW Dallas Marathon Patient Champion

by | Nov 20, 2018 | Events

Since 2007, the Patient Champion program has enlisted Scottish Rite Hospital patients to help encourage and cheer on runners in the BMW Dallas Marathon. This program is a way to highlight some of the wonderful kids the marathon generously supports each year. We’re excited to introduce you to Aidan!

Aidan, age 10, of Frisco, has been a patient at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for the past year, where he receives treatment for Perthes Disease in his right leg. The physicians in the Center for Excellence in Hip conduct groundbreaking research to determine the best treatment plan for each and every patient, including Aidan.

Aidan’s favorite part about coming to Scottish Rite Hospital is playing in the Child Life Playroom, where he can “escape” and play videogames with other kids, just like he does at home.

Outside of the hospital, Aidan enjoys spending time with his family and friends and loves to play sports.  He plays four different sports, and his family of six all plays soccer. He is is eager to join them again back on the field!
Aidan’s doctors are experts in caring for children and someday he hopes to be an expert in caring for the community. He aspires to become a Police Officer and with his big heart and positive attitude, he is sure to succeed!
For more event information, visit: bmwdallasmarathon.com.