I have served as LEAA secretary for the last two years, My husband Alan and I have lived Lea County most of my life except for a few years in Texas. We have one son, Brandon. My mother, Helen Wilson, was a member of Llano Estacado in the Sixties and Seventies and she fueled my desire to paint and be involved with art. She introduced me to painting at an early age. I love to create, but take a much less serious approach to art. I love playing with different mediums.
Carol retired as Director of the Center for the Arts operated by Lea County Commission for the Arts. Retirement has allowed time to expand beyond her specialty of watercolor. She also creates artwork with acrylic paints, fiber, alcohol inks, and collage. Carol has chaired multiple art shows, organized workshops, secured programs for LEAA, and has been an avid supporter of the visual arts community in Hobbs, NM. Carol moved to Nebraska City, NE in August 2020 and continues to support the activities of LEAA.
Landscapes and flowers are the most prominent subject matter in her paintings. In addition to design considerations, texture and color are primary concerns in the development of her art. A wide range of embellishments including hand painted and specialty papers, beads, ribbons, lace, yarns, fabrics, and vintage jewelry all may find their way into one of Carol’s fiber and collage creations. She continues to experiment trying many of the new paints, markers, and many art supplies available on the market today. The opportunities to create never cease!
Contact: achammond@windstream.net
I have recently retired from Hobbs Municipal Schools. During the twenty years of employment I was an Elementary School Counselor, Educational Diagnostician and Coordinator of Elementary Special Education Services. I earned a Bachelor’s of Education with an emphasis in K-12 Art, though I never taught in public schools. Prior to working for Hobbs Schools, and while raising my family, I was part of the adjunct faculty at University of the Southwest where I taught art appreciation, art history and design. I also worked part time at Taylor Memorial Baptist Church as the Preschool Director.
While in college I considered myself a print maker and have enjoyed working in the process of woodcuts, etchings, linocuts, and screen printing. I have only recently returned to my love of art and have ventured out to mixed media. I love cutting my own stencils and printing on paper. I have also returned to ceramics and enjoy attending class at New Mexico Junior College.
I have been a member of Llano Estacado Art Association for about 14 months. I am excited to be part of the association and have been impressed with the diversity of workshops offered. From the membership I have received encouragement and critique, two things needed for the growing artist!
Christie Keele is a retired teacher (23 years teaching) and is now pursuing a lifelong dream of wanting to paint. Her preferred mediums are acrylics and pastels. Impressionistic portraits, spontaneous realism portraits (a form of abstract art), and human figures are her favorites. Christie ran the shop Christie's MoonDust Dolls and her primitive dolls appeared in three issues of the international magazine Prims. She has also written and self published a novel, Minerva Day. Christie is also a board member of both LCCA and LEAA in Hobbs. HeartPeace Acrylic and Pastel Painting is her portrait shop on Etsy, and she can be found on Facebook for portrait commissions.
I was born In Hobbs, NM. and raised in Lovington, NM. I graduated from Lovington High School in 1974. I attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales NM and received a bachelor degree in graphic design in 1982. I met my wife Cindy while there and we married in 1990. We have two adult daughters, Nikki and Callie. I have been making pottery since 2013.
I am currently employed by Lea County Electric Cooperative in Lovington where I am a GIS/CAD technician. At present, I make and sell my pottery on a part time basis under my company, Kerby Studios LLC. I hope, however, upon my retirement, I can devote myself full time to ceramics.
The majority of my work consists of vases, bowls and pots of various sizes and, of course, coffee mugs. I am heavily influenced by the ceramic forms used by the Native Americans here in the Southwest. I like to use colors and textures that remind me of this area; of exposed and weathered stone and limitless sky. Even though occasionally, I will venture into different areas of form and color, I always come back home.
Through the years, Nancy was drawn to the creativity of designing clothes, painting, and writing. College led her to a teaching degree that transported her to Hobbs. She is now retired and devoting more time to her art. Retirement from the classroom allowed her to revitalize her artistic side by honing her art skills and connecting her with the Llano Estacado Art Association.
Nancy has experimented and created in many different mediums. Acrylic paint on canvas, clay and cement sculptures, Stone carvings, and copper are a few of the areas that intrigue and inspire her art.
Being involved in the community by serving on the LEAA Board as well as teaching art related workshops keeps her art world connected. She has participated in shows with LEAA, Center for the Arts in Hobbs, Lea County Museum, and Odessa Art Association. In 2017, Nancy was honored with the Joe and Joyce Walker Visual Artist award. In August of 2021 her one woman show Diversity Declares Unity radiated many media with her own unique style.
Imagine, design, and create is the order of business when a piece of art unites in many forms in her studio. yP
I was born in Lea County and have lived here for my entire life. The majestic sunsets and stunning vistas in this part of New Mexico serve as an inspiration for my art. I married my wife, Lisa- also a native of Lea County, in 1987 and we have raised two wonderful children who still choose to call this area home. I have had a passion for art since a young age, winning my first ribbon in an elementary school art show, but I did not get “serious” about art until later in life. I love creating artwork for family and friends and revel when someone sees the beauty in a piece I created. .
I have been a member of Llano Estacado Art Association for several years, serving as Vice-President and President (current) of the association since joining. I have assisted in presenting art shows, workshops, galleries and programs for the association and the community. I enjoy the fellowship and comradery that LEAA and its members provide.
When it comes to art I am a Jack-of-all-Trades. I enjoy dabbling in almost all styles and medium, learning new methods and expanding my knowledge of the arts, art equipment and the tools and methods that are available. Whether it is painting, jewelry work, metal work, wood work, pottery, stone carving or print making I have a desire to create and I enjoy seeing the joy art brings to the creator, the recipient and the viewer.
I was born just over the state line in Seminole, Texas in 1977 but grew up in Hobbs and graduated from Hobbs High School in 1995. I have attended multiple universities around NM and TX. In 2007, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of the Southwest. My husband, Levi Whitley, and I are co-owners of Youngs Homes and have a 17-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. I have been a member of LEAA for 2 years.
As a child, I was always drawing and being creative – winning my first art contest in the 1st grade. But in my 20s and 30s, my creative side took a back seat to building a life and devoting myself to motherhood. In 2013, I was in an accident that caused a fractured pelvis, 2 broken ribs, a collapsed lung and a traumatic brain injury. To recover from the brain injury, my doctors suggested music and art therapy. As my muscle coordination and attention span had been compromised, I sought the help of local artist Courtney Markwell who taught me Acrylic Pouring as a way to get my brain back in the game. I fell in love with the mess and chaos of the medium! I credit Courtney for not only helping my brain heal but for restoring my passion for art and introducing me to LEAA. Since then, I have taken every class available and have enjoyed dabbling in acrylics, watercolor, ceramics, alcohol inks, etc. You name it and I’ll try it!
From the moment I took a faux stained glass class from Celeste Sherman, I knew it was my media of choice. Something about the vibrancy of color and the ability to capture the energy of the sun speaks to my soul! I love scouring antique malls and flea markets for reclaimed windows, cabinet doors, glass doors, etc and transforming them into colorful, eye-catching pieces. In 2018, I took home a blue ribbon and People’s Choice award for “New Earth”, a 29x35 piece made from a reclaimed pharmacy counter display case door.
