Meet Jordan Rogas | Artist and Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jordan Rogas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jordan, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?

It’s great to be back in Houston, where I grew up, after exploring the world for the last 15 years.

After completing my undergrad at Hollins University in Art History, I earned my Masters of Fine Arts from Parsons in History of Decorative Arts & Design in New York City. I was awarded a Smithsonian fellowship where I was fortunate to study with the Louvre’s Musee des Arts Decoratifs to conduct research on 16th and 17th French Chateaux design.

Internships with Sotheby’s and Philips Auction House educated me on the ins and outs of the luxury sales world while working in their Americana and 20th & 21st Century Furniture departments respectively. However, it was my work with Iris Apfel and Bunny Williams that ultimately returned me to my love of textiles.

All of these intellectual and creative pursuits culminated in the creation of Eye of Curiosity in wanting to inspire others to push beyond the boundaries of their comfort zones.

More than anything, I believe it is important for us all to retain our curiosity, to not become jaded by life because there is so much beauty in the world to be explored. At the end of the day, I have learned that to be truly myself is my greatest strength.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

While studying at Accademia del Arte e Moda in Florence, I became enthralled with Batik, the ancient fabric wax-resist dying technique that dates back to 4^th century BC Egyptians. I learned to apply color to silk with this method of hand blending wax types and melting them over an open flame in a specific tool called a tanjing. Through the application of the wax on the stretch silk I am able to create my design that will hold the pigment. I mix all of my paints myself to create unique colors that truly give each piece its true depth. This process is how I create the majority of my art and select work have been high resolution scanned and are available as gyclee prints.

I debuted my batik works and vintage pillows at Round Top’s Marburger Farms Spring show 2021. Since then, we have partnered with local hit shop Courtney Barton and procured booth space at Memorial Antiques & Interiors.

This Fall, I joined the team at Paloma Contreras Design. As a Design Associate, I have the privilege of overseeing design projects around the country and currently one in the Dominican Republic. These design projects continually inspire my artwork and love of textiles.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

If I had a friend visiting from out of town I would have to do a mix of truly Texas staples as well as show them what an amazingly culturally diverse city Houston is.

We would definitely have to check out the latest exhibit at the MFAH then stopping for lunch at their amazing new in-house restaurant Le Jardiniere. I also love stopping in to Foelber Pottery Studio in Montrose to see the latest creations by local artisans.

A truly unique adventure within the city limits is going to see the temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, the architectural marvel makes you feel as if you have traveled across the world.

Hugo’s is a classic for me where my go to is their lobster tail taco and a ‘smoke on the vine’.

To round things out, We would have a picnic at the Menil Gardens with natural wine and tasty nibbles from Montrose Wine and Cheese. The grounds are beautiful to take in both day and night with the many sculpture vignettes and old shady trees.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would definitely not be where I am today without the amazing support of my family and friends

Shoutout:

Paloma Contreras

Courtney Barton

Lee Tnguyen Fine Arts & Frames who does all the incredible custom framing of my works.

Website: eyeofcuriosity.com

Instagram: eyeofcuriosity