Top Local Artists in Fort Worth, TX

September 16th, 2021 by

Fort Worth has a vibrant art scene that’s evidenced by its numerous public art installations, galleries, and museums. Fort Worth’s cultural district houses the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Kimbell Art Museum, and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. While these facilities bring together expansive collections from around the world, you don’t have to travel nearly so far to find new creations.

A wide variety of artists have come to call the Fort Worth area home, delivering everything from engaging paintings to crafty stickers to eye-catching murals. If you’re interested in local art, here are some local names that you need to know.

Mariell Guzman

Just two years out of college, Mariell Guzman has already become a well-known name in the local Fort Worth art scene and beyond. Guzman hails from Michoacán, Mexico but moved to the United States at the age of 10. She graduated from high school in Allen, Texas, and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Just after graduation, Guzman received an offer for a paid internship with M2G Ventures, which commissions local murals. The company tasked Guzman with painting the Grand Berry Theater’s west wall. Though she had the opportunity to paint as little or as much as she wanted, Guzman elected to paint the entire wall, making a bold statement and launching her career to further heights. She has since collaborated with Pepsi on its “The Taste of Texas” campaign and now has more commissions than she can accept.

Juan Velázquez 

Fort Worth-based all-media artist Juan Velázquez has recently painted several local murals around Fort Worth. Over the last year alone, Velázquez painted more than 60 murals around the city. His pieces focus on honoring community members that Texas has lost. One of his most famous works is “Fort Worth for Vanessa,” honoring Army specialist Vanessa Guillen. You can find murals for Guillan at 3604 Hemphill Street and 117 E Belknap Street. You can also see Velázquez ‘s works along Evans Avenue, where Velázquez  painted “BLM” and “Amari Malone.” Find a full listing of his mural locations through DFW Studio.

Velázquez began working with murals during the pandemic because the open-air artwork offers something that everyone can enjoy, even in a world of quarantines and social distancing. In addition to murals, he also produces a clothing brand called Fort Worth Merch.

Sophia Ceballos

Mixed media and watercolor artist Sophia Ceballos developed her love of art at a young age. Her family moved often, and art became the one reassuring constant in her life. As her family relocated, Ceballos gained exposure to a diverse selection of art. She describes her work as “an introspective meditation on the relationship between my mental and physical environments.” 

In Ceballos’s pieces, you’ll find strong, stable lines layered with soft washes of watercolor that seek to find a balance between stability and fluidity. You can view Ceballos’s works on her website and in occasional shows. She is a member of the Texas Artists Coalition and works at The Kimbell Art Museum.

Don Matheson

Fort Worth artist Don Matheson is best known for developing a distinctive abstract style. Inspired by Picasso’s Les Demoiselles des Avignon, Matheson began producing his own abstract art in 2011. He calls this series “Reinterpretation of classical art through geometric abstraction, color field, hard line, and symbolism.”

This collection now includes around 75 pieces, all of which are inspired by works or artists of the past. The title of each piece pays homage to the original. His works reinterpret well-known pieces like The Scream, The Last Supper, and Liberty Leading the People. Many of these works are available for purchase.

Melarie Odelusi

Emphasizing women in solidarity, Melarie Odelusi’s illustrations expertly blend strong lines and soft hues. Her stunning pieces are both feminine and powerful in a way that perfectly demonstrates her message of empowerment. Her works incorporate rich diversity, featuring images of

women from all ethnicities.

Odelusi works out of Dallas, but her pieces have garnered interest across the country. She’s worked with major brands like Laura Mercier, Disney Plus, and Martha Stewart Living. You can purchase prints of her works on Odelusi’s website. She also takes commissions and sketches live for private parties.

Haylee Ryan

Haylee Ryan Yale hails from Dallas and currently teaches elementary school in the Dallas ISD public school system. She sold her first piece of art when she was in ninth grade and has continued to pursue this passion ever since. 

Ryan works primarily in acrylic and oil paint. She explores the concept of memory as it pertains to the people that we meet in our everyday lives. Her pieces feature ordinary individuals like those Ryan meets in her travels or people she finds in vintage photo albums. Through her art, she uncovers a fresh interpretation of these people that aims to inspire and delight. Ryan’s pieces have been featured in gallery exhibitions, murals, and live events. She also does commissions.

Brad Albright

Brad Albright works as an artist, poster designer, and illustrator. However, he’s best-known for his line of OldSchool 3D art. These pieces feature line art in red and blue that pop when viewed through traditional red/blue 3D glasses. This distinctive approach delivers an interactive experience that’s both intriguing and satisfyingly nostalgic. His 3D art captures pop culture icons in film, television, literature, music, and comic books. 

In 2018, Albright retired from producing officially licensed merchandise to focus his efforts entirely on producing original pieces for the local Dallas/Fort Worth audience. He maintains an Etsy store where he sells a wide selection of stickers, posters, puzzles, art prints, and 3D wall art.

Keep an eye on these local artists in Fort Worth and you may catch new shows and installations featuring their works. You can even purchase some locally-made art for your own home, adding distinctive flair to your dwelling. If you know of any great local artists that we missed, contact our team at Hiley Hyundai of Fort Worth and let us know so we can spread the word.

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