Our Artists

O’brian Jones

Emerging Fine Artist O'brian Jones has quickly caught the attention from collectors all over the world selling over 700 paintings before breaking the threshold of his thirties.

In the last several years as he grew older, O'brian started to make decisions that would influence major changes to help shape his future. Although he loved his small hometown feeling of Grady, Arkansas, he was eager for a fresh start in a city not too far from home and decided to move to a place that always sparked his interest, Dallas, TX. chasing after.

Before O'brian's successful up and coming professional art career, he initially started his new corporate job in Dallas like many other millennials settling into the big city. O'brian didn't skip a beat after he quickly realized his entrepreneurial spirit would not allow him to stay in Corporate America for too long. At that point, Jones's priorities shifted and realized working the typical 9 to 5 was simply a stepping stone that would help him elevate to the next level. A few years later Jones took a leap of faith and decided to become his own boss by bringing his passion for art to life. "For me, art is a form of expression so I just started illustrating my visions and feeling onto a blank canvas." After creating a few pieces, Jones decided to start showcasing his art on social media for the world to see; allowing him the freedom to build the life he was chasing after.

Tyra J

Tyra J is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer based in Dallas, Texas. Tyra creates art to help people learn about themselves by focusing on themes of identity and social constructs. Through the use of sculpture and installation, she creates physical spaces that allow viewers to explore their thought and behavioral patterns.

Tyra’s work has been exhibited in the African American Museum of Dallas, Latino Cultural Center, 500X Gallery, Kauri Gallery, Canvas International Art Fair in Venice, Italy. Her keynote speech at the Nasher Sculpture Center resulted in an unrestricted grant from the museum. In addition, she was awarded both the Denis Diderot Grant and the Emerging Artist Grant from Chateau d’Orquevaux Artist & Writers Residency in Orquevaux, France. Tyra has moderated artist talks and panel discussions for Pencil on Paper Gallery, Art Talks, and How to be Social. Tyra’s most recent exhibition was at Reeves Art + Design in Houston, TX just after facilitating a corporate workshop at Boston Consulting Group.

Cedric Ingram

Cedric Ingram is an African American contemporary artists born in Dallas, TX in 1981. He studied Studio Art and eventually completed a BA in Communications - Media Production from the University of Houston in 2006. Current residing in Houston, TX, Cedric primarily works in oil pastels displaying strong realism and bases his work on urban contemporary themes.  

He began his art career in 2015 participating in group shows in California and Texas. In 2016 he was chosen as a finalist in the Hunting Art Prize with his work "View from the Garden". He continues to exhibit in group shows and was named a 2020 Bert Long Jr. Gallery Finalist/Exhibitor with the Houston Museum of African American Culture in Houston, TX. In February 2020, he would have his first solo exhibition with HMAAC entitled, "New Growth". 

Cedric continues to exhibit his work focusing on African American and urban themes with oil pastel as well as incorporating acrylic and wood into his work in an ever-changing blend of two and three-dimensional space in mixed media works.

Kev’Ron Madden

Kev’Ron Madden is a Black painter and illustrator living and working in Dallas, Texas. In his work, Madden explores the endless realm of surrealism, fusing it with the traditional beauty of Western art. Through his paintings, he aims to create a visual language that transcends the boundaries of reality, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in a world of heightened emotions and imaginative narratives while also being grounded in the familiarity that comes with cowboys, cacti, and all things wild west.

Madden earned a BBA in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin in 2020. He has participated in multiple exhibitions and art fairs throughout the United States, including Barnstorm 2023 in Thorpe, Washington, Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition in Dallas, Texas.
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Frank Sowells Jr.

Born with an innate artistic spirit, Frank Sowells Jr. won his first art contest at the tender age of five. A proud graduate of the Art Institute of Dallas, he has dedicated his life to creating captivating artworks across various commercial fields. While working as a freelance court illustrator for several years, Frank’s hunger for artistic expression pushed him beyond mere talent.

His transformative journey began when he crossed paths with the esteemed artist Arthello Beck who became both a friend and mentor in the world of fine arts. Another influential figure was Alix Beaujour, whose friendship and inspiration exposed Frank to diverse artistic styles, including cubism, realism, and abstract art. He has enjoyed time spent traveling and exhibiting alongside Frank Frazier. Drawing inspiration from accomplished artists like Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Kehinde Wiley, Norman Rockwell, and Pablo Picasso, Frank embarked on a quest to refine his craft.

Frank’s portfolio boasts a rich tapestry of accomplishments, from published works to television and radio appearances. His talent has garnered numerous awards, and collectors from around the world appreciate his unwavering commitment to growth. Studying the great masters and their timeless creations, Frank continually evolves as a creator.

His artistic endeavors span a wide spectrum, including commissioned murals, portraits, logos, fashion illustrations, comics, book covers, and children’s book illustrations. Throughout this journey, Frank acknowledges the pivotal role played by his wife, Laura, in shaping his successful career.

Ryan Runcie

Ryan Runcie is a first-generation American artist whose inspirations come from his study of philosophical beliefs and how our experiences can change how we view and value others and ourselves. His large-scale murals are heavily community focused with the intent to leave behind social and racial reconciliation in his wake. He graduated from Texas State University with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2016 and has been through various art business workshops. At Texas State University, he studied communication design while developing his vibrant painting style and building custom skateboards under TanMan Longboards.
He now has many private works collected across the United States and public murals completed in multiple cities in Texas. His client list includes Austin FC, The Moody Center, Starbucks, The City of San Marcos, Capital Metro, Austin Energy, Rhodesrunna Productions Inc, Riversouth Austin, eBay, Abbott Laboratories, Bennu Coffee, George Washington Carver Museum, and multiple non-profit organizations.
Runcie is currently a project coordinator for the City of Austin's Art in Public Places, a board member of Capitol View Arts, an East Austin non-profit, and a Big Medium Programming Committee member.