OUR STORY
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Welcome to Studio Comfort Texas, our artist studio gallery, home to an exclusive group of mutually supportive fine art educators and artists. “Studio gallery” is how we label our unique environment that combines not only display, but integrates the community through fine-art classes. We reside in an historic 1907 building on High Street in downtown Comfort, Texas. Jeannette MacDougall has lived in Kendall County since 1986. She has brought her practice as a professional artist and her experience as a seasoned instructor at the Southwest School of Art to the Texas Hill Country community. In 2016, artist/designer Cara Hines met Jeannette when she visited Comfort, and the two bonded instantly over their artistic sensibilities, gypsy spirit, and joie de vivre. At that time, Cara was Gallery Manager at the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene, Texas, and a practicing artist. When Jeannette was offered the opportunity to create her own artist enclave at 716 High Street, the timing was perfect for Cara to join her in forming STUDIO COMFORT, which opened its doors in January 2019.
Together, Jeannette and Cara bring a strong focus on expanded art programming as well as gallery artist representation, and guest artist workshops. In addition, we plan to offer mentoring partnerships, critiques, collaborations, juried competitions, and artist residency opportunities. To stay informed with what is being offered at STUDIO COMFORT, including a full schedule of workshops, classes, gallery exhibitions, and special art events, join our mailing list! We're excited to announce a second location! Studio Comfort Texas ARTSPACE is located at 713 High Street, across the street from the gallery. ARTSPACE will allow us to expand the number and types of fine art instruction we can offer, including workshops with well-known guest instructorss, ongoing weekly life drawing classes with professional studio models, our Midsummer Art Camp series, homeschool programs, and more. The ARTSPACE building was designed by noted architect, Alfred Giles. It was constructed in 1910 and operated as Comfort’s US Post Office until 1952. Since then, it has been several things including Mimi’s Cafe, and most recently 814: A Texas Bistro, which closed in May 2019. The former kitchen will now be a dedicated encaustic studio. The main room boasts a large open space with tall ceilings and natural light, the dream muse of all artists. A large covered back patio allows for classes and summer camps to take place in the open air when weather allows. |
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Jeannette MacDougall – Artist / Curator / Instructor
Jeannette is a graduate of Parsons School of Art in NYC and has been an instructor at Southwest School of Art in San Antonio for over 30 years. She is highly accomplished in drawing and painting, and her artwork is widely collected. As a professional artist and art educator, she finds great inspiration and joy in sharing her methods and experiences with those ready to tap into their own dreams of self-expression through art exploration.
Cara Hines – Artist / Designer / Director
Cara is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Business. She is an abstract artist who works primarily in mixed media and encaustic. She has wide ranging experience in various capacities of the design and art worlds including project management, sales and marketing, showroom and gallery management, and art instruction.
Coley – Studio Assistant
Coley is the calm, organized presence of Studio Comfort. She will be here to greet you when you visit, assist with studio registration, handle orders and purchases, help us manage our website and social media presence, along with other administrative duties. With her on our team, we know our t’s will be crossed and our i’s will be dotted!
Deborah Hogan Shaw - Artist / Instructor
Deborah moved from Houston to the Hill Country in 1982 and to Comfort in 1987. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She was an art educator in public schools for 30 years, including 6 years with Comfort ISD. She has taught everything from drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture to ceramics. Deborah finds that being able to share the joy of creating with students is a great gift.
Jeannette is a graduate of Parsons School of Art in NYC and has been an instructor at Southwest School of Art in San Antonio for over 30 years. She is highly accomplished in drawing and painting, and her artwork is widely collected. As a professional artist and art educator, she finds great inspiration and joy in sharing her methods and experiences with those ready to tap into their own dreams of self-expression through art exploration.
Cara Hines – Artist / Designer / Director
Cara is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Business. She is an abstract artist who works primarily in mixed media and encaustic. She has wide ranging experience in various capacities of the design and art worlds including project management, sales and marketing, showroom and gallery management, and art instruction.
Coley – Studio Assistant
Coley is the calm, organized presence of Studio Comfort. She will be here to greet you when you visit, assist with studio registration, handle orders and purchases, help us manage our website and social media presence, along with other administrative duties. With her on our team, we know our t’s will be crossed and our i’s will be dotted!
Deborah Hogan Shaw - Artist / Instructor
Deborah moved from Houston to the Hill Country in 1982 and to Comfort in 1987. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She was an art educator in public schools for 30 years, including 6 years with Comfort ISD. She has taught everything from drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture to ceramics. Deborah finds that being able to share the joy of creating with students is a great gift.