A collaborative duo by Dandee Warhol & Marjon F. Aucoin

Marjon is a classically trained fine artist whose work depicts lifelike subjects in enchanted surroundings. The models are sinuous and classically beautiful, with luminescent skin and flowing hair, often immersed in natural elements such as smoke, water, or woods. Across her paintings, you’ll find elements embedded that hint at fantasy: a twinkling star, an entwining, mysterious forest, or creatures that play as friends and foe. Marjon’s choice techniques as an artist produce works that emanate from the canvas, with a quality akin to the memory of a story you knew as a child.

Dandee is a self-taught artist who prioritizes the bold, graphic use of color in meticulously designed geometrical patterns. Dandee is also an established curator in Houston, who helped lay the foundation for the thriving local art scene even as it first emerged, by organizing exhibits and fostering community among creatives. In 2010, he curated an all-female artist show, and it was then he met Marjon. In addition to Marjon’s work as an artist and illustrator, she is the co-founder of the W.I.D.E. School, a progressive learning center for children, located just outside of Sugar Land. She serves as the director of the art program, as well as creative director of the school’s educational program. Dandee works alongside her, educating children as young as 18 months old in the foundational study of art. The program, the Yellow House Atelier, continues to grow as a hub of creative innovation. Their students have hosted a range of artists, including photographers, composers, painters, sculptors, and dancers from around the city. Hand in hand, the students at the teachers co-create the journey of learning, paving the many ways art can be used as a medium of education.

Alex Roman Jr. (“Donkeeboy”), a visual artist based in Houston, is a remixer of pop culture. He puts his own unique spin on famous icons, creating works of art that consist of double entendre and visual puns, including signature pieces such as “PAC-asso”, “Wonder Frida” and “DJ Screw” made with 4,379 screws.

A Houston native, Donkeeboy moved to Mexico as a young child. Influenced by his mother, Donkeemom, it was there that he discovered his passion for art.

“I was always around art because of my mom,” he says. “There was a pretty big competition in Mexico; I drew something when I was six years old and I won it. Ever since then, that was it.”

Alex returned to Houston at the age of seven and would go on to graduate from Milby High School. He adopted the moniker “Donkeeboy” as a retort to the naysayers who told him he couldn’t make it as an artist.

“Growing up, people would call me ‘Burro’, which means ‘donkey’ in Spanish,” he says. “I took a negative, and I flipped it. Donkeys are looked at as dumb animals, but if you research them, you will find that they are noble, hardworking and loyal once they trust you. Those are the attributes that I want people to remember me for.”

In recent years, Donkeeboy has become one of Houston’s most prominent artists. His murals can be found at iconic Houston restaurants including Shipley Do-Nuts, Burns Original BBQ, Riel and The Original Ninfa’s. He is the resident artist at 8th Wonder Brewery, where he hosts free art shows five times per year highlighting other local artists.

Houston sports fans will recognize Donkeeboy’s work from the murals he painted in center field at Minute Maid Park for the 2018-19 seasons. Donkeeboy also has collaborated with Fender and Louisville Slugger for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game; Champs Sports and Complex Magazine at Art Basel 2018 in Miami; Mitchell & Ness; Porsche; the East End Street Fest; and Memorial City Art Fest.

Collectors and noted fans of Donkeeboy’s art include rapper Slim Thug, comedians Jo Koy and Chris D’Elia, DJ Eddie F of Heavy D & the Boyz, Bobby Feeno (Arian Foster), UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva and Riel chef Ryan Lachaine.