We had the good fortune of connecting with Teresa L. Staley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Teresa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. I have worked for different companies over the years but was always more content directing my own projects and managing a team. Sales is fun to me in part, because I believe in what I am selling. I learned a lot working with design firms, artists, and graphic designers but craved a chance to design my own work for commercial and residential projects.

 My company, Murals & Faux By Design, has been in business for over 20 years now. I have completed countless projects for my wonderful residential clients and now have a hotel project under my belt. I was managing the faux finishes, color & artistic choices along with the hotel manager, Mr. Hussan at the Grand Tuscany Hotel. I have always believed in grabbing opportunities as they are presented, even if it seems risky.  You never know if or when that chance will present itself again.

My second business, Art Machine Gallery, is definitely a dream come true. As I have always wanted to own a gallery. My partner Jay T jax and I are so excited to help other artists with their careers in this endeavor as well. We have just moved into a larger space and are ready for a bright future ahead!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Teresa is so excited about her latest venture at Art Machine Gallery and gallerist partner /sculptor Jay T. Jax- ” We have moved into a much bigger gallery space and now have 14 artists with us and we started with eight. We are so excited about this new opportunity and the future of our gallery. Our goal is to be one of the most known galleries in the Houston area and we are on our way!” Our focus at Art Machine Gallery is dedication to the promotion of emerging and mid-career artists in Houston and the surrounding areas. Teresa is proud to be able to display her works in her gallery and many other venues around the city.

She currently has a display of her works going on at Trez Wine Art bar, a very chic restaurant and drinking venue curated by Carla Bisong of Bisong Art Gallery. Teresa also has many of her work around the city at different venues such as Whimsy Artisan Boutique in the Heights and many others.

The genre/style of Teresa L. Staley’s fine art could be described as eclectic, merging romantic fantasy and realism. She mainly works in acrylic and mixed media. Her favorite subject matter includes powerful women of different ethnicities and mixed media abstracts. “I especially love filmnoir, low brow pop surrealism, pin up art and figurative art.”

Teresa admits her “greatest joy is to create art in different forms without limits.”

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
For art lover’s- Houston’s art scene is as diverse and colorful as the city itself, with galleries and museums that feature works by local, national and international talents. Houston is home to a robust arts scene of its own, with everything from colorful graffiti parks to modern museums. I definitely recommend checking out the Sawyer yards area. It is filled with cool niche shops, restaurants and breweries. This is a great way to see and meet talented artists. I would definitely make an effort to visit the second Saturday of the month as well.

Also must sees in Houston would be: The Menil Collection. This is a world class museum and one of my favorite sites in Houston. It reflects the personal collecting philosophy of the founders of the museum. A beautiful and relaxing experiance. I also recommend if you have time in Houston to check out the Museum District area, the Heights, Discovery Green, Minute Maid Park, The Aquarium Downtown, catch a show at the Alley Theater or Houston Symphony and if you can do a city tour, it really gives you a great view of Houston’s highlights! For shopping; I recommend the The Galleria Houston, it is the largest shopping center in Houston. Downtown Houston stands out for hosting the majority of Houston skyscrapers with classy restaurants and bars. I also love Greenway/Upper Kirby, Galleria/Uptown, Midtown for dining out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I hold enormous amounts of gratitude and appreciation for my father’s influence on my life and career. I always grew up around art. My father, Roy Staley, has been an inspiration as well as a mentor to me since childhood. He always encouraged me to embrace my talent and pursue art professionally. Growing up he was always painting beautiful landscapes and inventing different design concepts. He also owned a sculpture business for some time in Australia. Teresa has many years of experience as a fine artist, faux finisher and muralist.

My father has been involved in my mural business along with her for over 20 years as one of her muralists and technical/safety advisors. Teresa has owned her business Murals & Faux By Design for over 20 years. She is very grateful for her father’s help and her amazing team. Roy Staley is one of the featured artists in Staley’s latest venture as gallerist/artist at Art Machine Gallery with partner Jay T. Jax at The Silos on Sawyer, Shoutout to Dad!!

Website: www.muralsfauxbydesign.com
Instagram: Staleyteresa and. art_machine_gallery
Facebook: Teresa L Staley Fine Arts and Art Machine Gallery @artmachinegallery
Other: Facebook: Teresa L Staley Art Machine Gallery @artmachinegallery

Image Credits
Art Machine Gallery photos courtesy of Stephanie Smith. Others by Teresa L Staley.