Artist Spotlight: Rafael Angel Villarreal, Houston, Texas

It was a good night on Houston’s East End.  Especially if your name was Rafael Angel Villarreal.  The extraordinary artist whose work was on exhibit in Houston’s famous East End Studio Gallery.  A location known for showcasing the city's top artistic geniuses.  And after seeing Villarreal’s work, it’s pretty clear that he’s right where he belongs.  With paintings ranging from a twisted take on the “Wizard of Oz” to masked women walking dogs, Villarreal makes certain that his work is anything but typical.  “I don’t limit myself to a style,” says, Villarreal.  “A lot of it is realistic.  It’s not just about how I paint, but more about the concept.”   Born and raised in Houston, Villarreal says he started out drawing comic books and doing graffiti at the age of 13, but until the past few years, neglected showing his work to the world.  “I’m always grinding, but I hardly ever show it,” says the humble artist, but admitting, “I get a lot of ideas.”  After tonight’s success and the recent buzz around his work, it’s safe to say that the world will be seeing a lot more of Villarreal. Villarreal's work can be followed at http://www.ravart.com/.

Artist Spotlight: Space Capone, Nashville, Tennessee

“Funky soul.”  That’s the reply I got when I asked who Space Capone was.  Plain and simple.  Well…Not really.  As we sit back stage, the Nashville based band consisting of members:  Space, Slam, Trashcan, Doggy, Mom & Dad, KK, Joy, and Stix laugh over beers and talk of the music.  And suddenly they rise and head for the stage:  Showtime.  And their fans are waiting.  The irony for me, of course is, being that before they blessed the floors of Fitzgerald’s, I had no clue who this astounding band was.  But when they finished testing their instruments and vocals, I was a stranger no more.  They poured into their hit “I Just Wanna Dance” and suddenly the ladies around me started to move, vibrating to every pluck of the guitar and bang of the bongo.  And oh:  The saxophone.  The harmonious melody sweeping the entire room all in accordance to the uniquely, and frankly, quite unexpected high pitched vocals of Space’s lead: Space.  Their fans took to a different kind of movement as the band shifted into their single:  Booty.  (That’s right: Booty)  They shifted then into one of the most popular records on their critically acclaimed debut, “Volume One” the smooth, “Lovin’ Livin.”  A powerful melody that literally speaks for itself:  “Lovin, livin’, praying and receiving, hoping that my life might last a little longer.”  Judging by the reaction from the crowd, I think it’s safe to say that this band will definitely be around a lot longer.