Printmaker Omar Gonzalez grew up on a ranch outside Kingsville, Texas and for years, he made art without really knowing what he was trying to say. Then he asked his father a question that changed everything: Would you let me make you the subject of my work?
For three years, he photographed his dad in the clothes he wore at home, holding the tools that shaped their lives. What came out of that was “Homebound,” a series about masculinity, labor, love and what it means to belong to a place and a person. That series became the most important work of his life.
His father passed away in 2024 and now Gonzalez is making art about what remains.
Read the full profile by @hellokirby_ at the link in bio.
Photography by @jasondavidpage
You're invited to Printrospective 2026, an exhibition celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of printmaking students at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Event Details
Printrospective 2026
Date: Wednesday, April 29th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: 3rd Floor, Jernigan Library Commons Area
As the inaugural year of Printrospective, the event is designed to highlight both the artistic achievements of students and the process behind the work they create.
The featured exhibition will include artwork produced by Texas A&M University-Kingsville printmaking students throughout the 2025-2026 school year. Guests will have the opportunity to view a range of pieces that reflect the students’ technical skills, artistic development, and personal approaches to the medium.
In addition to the exhibition itself, Printrospective 2026 will offer print demonstrations that show examples of printmaking techniques in action. These demos are intended to give visitors a better understanding of how prints are made and the kinds of processes students use in their practice.
For those unfamiliar with printmaking, this will be a chance to experience the art form beyond the finished piece and gain insight into the hands-on methods that bring each work to life.
The event aims to create an inviting atmosphere for a wide audience. Students, faculty, families, local community members, and anyone with an interest in art are encouraged to attend. Since admission is free, Printrospective 2026 offers an accessible opportunity to experience student work up close while also supporting emerging artists at the university.
After the photo litho plate is processed and prepped on the press, the plate can be printed. The video shows the inking of the plate and pulling an impression from my "Absence of Purpose" series.
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#printmaker #printmaking #print #artwork #artist
Our annual artist profiles spotlight the Coastal Bend’s visual art scene, exploring the origin stories, creative processes and personal journeys that shape each artist’s work. Across mediums and perspectives, each one brings a distinct voice to the region’s evolving art scene and the community at large.
Read all about these four creative minds in our April issue online now.
Portraits by @jasondavidpage
The Artist Issue is here 🎨
Since 2015, this annual edition has spotlighted 63 artists, inviting readers not only to see their work, but to step just a little closer to the people behind it. Because while art can move us without context, there’s something powerful about understanding the perspective that shaped it.
In this year’s issue, writers Kirby Conda (@hellokirby_ ) and Evelyn Martinez (@evmartinezxo ) alongside photographer Jason Page (@jasondavidpage ) bring that perspective into focus. Starting on page 34, meet Omar Gonzalez (@ogprints ), Laura Konecne (@laurakonecne ), Steve Russell and Nora Verdin (@onlyart_bynora ) and explore a range of work that spans mediums, stories and lived experiences.
At its core, this issue is a reminder that creation is rarely just about the finished piece. It is exploration, expression, rebellion, connection and so much more.
As Steve Russell shared, “As a child, you view the world with wonder. Try to keep that.”
We hope this issue inspires you to do just that. Read the full issue online now!
Cover: “Heaven’s Mirror” by featured artist, Steve Russell
Last summer I attended Frogman's Print Workshops @frogmansprintworkshops in Iowa City, IA. The first of two weeks was taking the photo lithography workshop instructed by Juana Estrada Hernández @juanaseemyprints
It was a great class and I learned a lot to help further my practice and develop more as an artist. Upon my return home, I began this series using toner washes and exposing them to photo plates. The video is the development process of the image in the dark room and the current state of the matrix before setting up to print. I created 8 plates using different washes and tools left behind by my dad.
Continuing with my series exploring grief and loss, I decided to use washes which behave in a unpredictable manner. I created multiple toner washes applied to vellum and set with a heat gun. I would then use these films to create photo litho plates. These washes relinquish control and the outcome unknown.
Loss is something that most of us are never prepared for nor can predict when and how it will happen. I'm choosing to use art as a way to better understand how it effects me through experimentation and exploration.
From 2019 - 2022, my father became my collaborator in my art as I explored our relationship. I would stage photoshoots and have him pose in various positions to later be used in my artwork. Two years ago today was when he passed and since then I stopped making the same type of work as I found it too difficult to pick up where I left off.
After a year had passed, in 2025 I began a new series that continues to explore our relationship but in a new lens of grief. At the end of 2025, I was given the opportunity to display and share my work in a solo exhibition titled "Parte de usted" at K Space Contemporary in Corpus Christi, TX.
The inspiration behind this new series started with this found object titled "What Remains", my father's tool panel which was located in his work shop. The panel originally belonged to my grandfather and my mom as a young girl helped paint the silhouettes of each tool to denote their proper place.
Growing up I would see this panel every day and I associate it with my dad. I have now inherited his tools he would use on a regular basis and continue to use. What's left is a panel that once held a place for each specific instrument and I began to see the panel in a different way.
Each tool has a purpose as I believe we all do. We each serve a purpose to our friends and family. Upon the passing of a loved one is a void that once held their physical presence. This panel shows what should exist and what remains is a memory of what has purpose.
Finished my stay at Riverside, CA by hiking to the top of Mount Rubidoux to see the sunset. I headed back to TX the following morning but this was the perfect way to wrap up the trip attending the opening of Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art @thecheechcenter
I'm beyond thankful to be given the opportunity to meet @cheechmarin and talk about my work with him. As a token of my appreciation, I gifted him one of my woodcut prints, "Strength and Admiration". A personal depiction of my relationship with my father who I dedicated my participation in this show to him. I'll never forget this moment and the time spent @thecheechcenter
A special thank you to @8190luna for curating such an incredible show and asking me to be a part of it. I'm forever grateful.
Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art is on exhibit from Oct. 4th, 2025 - Jan. 11, 2026.
The Cheech @thecheechcenter is exhibiting Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art from Oct. 4th, 2025 - Jan. 11, 2026 curated by Rigoberto Luna @8190luna
I'm fortunate to have a couple of my pieces included in this show which began its journey in San Antonio, TX (2023) then Fort Worth, TX (2024) and now Riverside, CA (2025).
The space is beautiful and check out the show when you get the chance!
