artist spotlight

"My work celebrates the deep emotional and cultural connection between food and the Black experience. I explore how food brings comfort and joy, nourishing not only the body but also the soul. Rooted in traditions passed down through generations, the dishes we prepare and share are symbols of love, resilience, and community. They tell stories of survival and triumph, of family gatherings, and the rich, comforting flavors that sustain us both physically and spiritually. Food is more than sustenance; it is memory, ritual, and heritage. It connects us to our ancestors and defines our communities. Food is central to our cultural identity. In every meal, there is a memory—a link to our ancestors, to moments of joy and togetherness. My art reflects this intimate relationship with food, capturing its power to heal, uplift, and provide solace. Food sometimes becomes a form of self-medication—a way to cope with stress, trauma, and systemic inequalities." - Barbara Mason

Charles Michael Davis, is a versatile artist whose work elucidates his multidisciplinary background. He discovered his natural talent for photography during a black and white 35mm camera course at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and worked as a model for notable photographers, including Yu Tsai, Jim Jordan, and Mark Seliger. His additional expertise includes directing television episodes and music videos, as well as training in piano and dance, he has honed his artistry through a myriad of experiences and disciplines. Charles draws inspiration from the likes of Robert Longo, Brigitte Lacombe, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. His talent has been recognized through selection for director's pick at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles 2023. Charles Michael Davis debuted "Wild At Heart" in November 2023 at Pencil on Paper Gallery.

Desmond Blair, a Dallas-based artist is a problem solver and has been ever since childhood. Blair was born without fingers. Through navigating learning how to write without hands in school, Desmond discovered a love for art and animation. It was this love for animation and animated storytelling that inspired Blair to expand his artistic talents. Blair’s tenacity, determination, and drive empowered him to graduate from high school at the age of 16. Blair later earned his undergraduate degree from University of Texas at Dallas where he honed his traditional abilities and transferred them to digital media focusing on animation and computer graphics. Blair later returned to UTD where he received his MFA in Art and Technology with a concentration on the development of computer graphics and the study/analysis of emerging media trends. He now uses his art to encourage others, promote limb difference awareness and raise money for charities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Desmond hopes to one day use his art to launch a scholarship fund that will assist graduating seniors born with limb differences in the pursuit of their academic goals. 

Elyse Hradecky is a Dallas born artist living and working in Manhattan, New York. Her training, based on traditional techniques, has led her to create work with a classical foundation, based on contemporary subjects. Working in both 2D and 3D, her figurative work focuses on the quiet connections created between the art and viewer. Whether through direct gaze or voyeuristic observation, she creates spaces encouraging contemplation about her subjects. Her still life paintings show the often-overlooked beauty of everyday and discarded items. While earning a BFA in Printmaking from the Rhode Island School of Design, she was accepted to the European Honors program in Rome, Italy. Afterward, she earned an MFA with honors in sculpture, with a concentration in anatomy, from the New York Academy of Art. She has been awarded a Terra Foundation residency in Giverny, France and the Distinguished Artist Scholarship and Full Fellowship from the Art Students League Residency at Vyt. Her work has been shown at Dacia Gallery in New York City, The Lyme Art Association Gallery in Old Lyme, The New York Academy of Art in New York City, The Edward Hopper House Museum in Nyack, Neoteric Fine Art in Amagansett, Union Arts Center in Sparkhill, Frontrunner Gallery in New York City, and Wayfarers Gallery in Brooklyn. Elyse had her first solo exhibition at Pencil on Paper Gallery in October of 2023.

Emmanuel Gillespie, was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He received his BFA from the University of North Texas and later earned a Master of Art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Gillespie works with mixed media in both 2D and 3D forms. He has worked on several Public Art projects in Dallas, Texas including specific work for the Bexar Street Corridor project and the DART Green Line project. As the former curator for the African American Museum of Dallas, Emmanuel worked to bring the beauty of the Arts to our Dallas community. Most recently, Emmanuel Gillespie was commissioned to create the Ernie Banks Statue in Dallas for the Booker T. Washington School of the Performing and Visual Arts. In addition, two new statues by Emmanuel now reside at the Cedar Crest Golf Course in Southern Dallas. Bronze statues of Dr. Charles Sifford and Walter Hagen, commissioned by I Am A Golfer Foundation grace the entrance to the golf course. 

Frank Frazier, a Nationally acclaimed artist, has been creating art for over 60 years. A New York native, but home to Dallas visual artist, Frazier has inspired many artists and art enthusiasts through his exhibitions across the United States. His legacy not only resides in his art, but also through his passion for assisting and guiding artists.  A veteran and a supporter of museums, galleries, and organizations, Frazier continually creates bodies of work that illustrate historical moments and present Black experiences that not only educate but unite communities at large. 

Jessica Vollrath was born in 1984 to an African American father and Mexican mother, Vollrath had a unique beginning with 11 siblings, a Mennonite background and a homeschool education. She discovered her love of painting around the age of 8 and spent her free time exploring with the various art supplies her mother found at garage sales.  

At the age of 15, Vollrath met the late Dr. Marilyn Daniels at an art opening. Upon seeing Vollrath’s portfolio, Dr. Daniels was amazed by the untrained, natural skill that was present in the work. She immediately offered art tutelage to the quiet 15 year old.  Credited to Dr. Daniels’ prodding and encouragement, Vollrath went on to receive her BFA from Howard University in 2011 and MFA from Texas Woman’s University in 2017. Vollrath works primarily in oil paint and is  currently focused on the sacred narratives. She is  figuratively trained and began her early career as a portrait painter for hire. With her love of light, color and the figure, Vollrath tells spiritual narratives of humankind's eternal search for its' connection to immortality.  Since Vollrath was raised outside of conventional ideations around gender, race, body and identity, her work explores deeper existential questions regarding who we are in connection to the whole. Vollrath currently lives in Dallas with her husband and 2 daughters. She is a professor of art at Eastfield College and co-founder of Toyblock.

Katie McKay Jones, is a painter residing in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with BA in Studio Arts. While there, she emphasized in painting and printmaking. Jones has had the opportunity to participate in several group shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for the past three years. “Little Monsters Everywhere” at Pencil on Paper Gallery was her first solo exhibition. Katie's work was featured for the second time in a row at the Fort Worth Art Fair at the Pencil on Paper Gallery booth, and continues to be a favorite amongst collectors. New work can be seen in Gallery II at Pencil on Paper Gallery.

Nouman Gaafar embarked on his artistic journey at the University of Sudan for Science and Technology, College of Fine and Applied Arts, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 1994. Specializing in Sculpture and Drawing, Gaafar's early works include wood carving reliefs and life-sized figurative sculptures, along with terracotta portraits that vividly capture the diversity and richness of Sudanese culture. His unique talent in portraying the intricate details of various tribes garnered significant recognition within the artistic community. In 1996, seeking further artistic and personal growth, Gaafar moved to the United States. He continued his education at the University of Dallas in Texas, earning both a Master of Arts (MA) and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) by 2002. During his studies, he focused on Sculpture and Fine Arts, with a particular interest in exploring themes of diaspora, identity, migration, integration, and assimilation. Nouman Gaafar's commitment to art and community continues to influence and inspires both in Sudan and abroad, making him a notable figure in the global art scene.

Rapheal Crump, was born in the Bronx New York in December of 1984, Rapheal grew up in a household that strongly believed in the importance of the arts and education. He was influenced by his mother who was an illustrator and his father, a painter. When he was only 5 years old, he was bitten by the entrepreneur bug when a woman offered him money for his drawings. These early influences and events lead him to open a boutique clothing store, selling customizable clothing and shoes by the time he was in high school. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts from School of Visual Arts in 2007, he began to work as a graphic artist and animator for a major media network in Times Square. After numerous years in the media field, Rapheal relocated to Dallas, Texas where he began his career as a full-time artist in 2017. Rapheal's work varies from oil paint, acrylic and mixed media, mostly focused on the culture of the urban city living. His visions derive from memories and experiences which connects the viewer and their own nostalgia. The evoked emotion from each viewer gives Rapheal a push to continuously create meaningful and thought-provoking bodies of work. “Above Us” provides viewers with a breathtaking glimpse of the beauty in our world, provided we take the time to stop and look up.