1117 Studios & Gallery

09/03/2026

Meet Artist Schuyler Ferris!

And Save the Date for his upcoming Exhibit and Opening Reception of "The Race: Silicon Prairie", October 3rd from 5pm-7pm at 1117 Studios & Gallery!

SkyzEye (Schuyler Ferris) is a contemporary painter based at 1117 Studios and Gallery in Abilene, Texas. Working primarily in oil on hand-built ACM panels, his paintings explore the intersection of realism, atmosphere, memory, and personal narrative.

Originally drawn to portraiture through a fascination with the complexity of the human face, Sky developed a reputation for his attention to detail and ability to capture subtle expression. Over time, that foundation evolved into a broader visual language incorporating reflections, urban environments, automobiles, and symbolic imagery while maintaining a strong connection to the human experience.

Much of his work begins with photographs he captures himself. By controlling the camera, lighting, composition, and moment, he creates source material that serves as the foundation for paintings that move beyond documentation toward interpretation. Dramatic contrasts, saturated color, and cinematic lighting have become defining elements of his work.

Drawing on the same photography and color-management systems used to develop his paintings, Sky also provides professional artwork archiving and reproduction services. His workflow is designed to capture artwork accurately for collections, exhibitions, online galleries, publications, and museum-quality print production.

After a career-ending spinal injury ended his collegiate basketball career, painting became a way to rebuild identity, purpose, and direction. That experience continues to influence his work, which often explores perseverance, transformation, ambition, and the search for meaning through creative expression.

Today, Sky is focused on building a cohesive body of work under the name SkyzEye through original paintings, limited-edition prints, commissions, educational programming, and professional artwork documentation. His goal is to create paintings that reward prolonged viewing, and truly change the atmosphere of the space.

Find more of his work and visit him on Instagram at Skyzeyeart, or at his website Skyzeye.com

09/02/2026

Save the Date for the Opening Reception of “The Race: Silicon Prairie” by artist SkyzEye!

Automotive Paintings with a West Texas Edge!!!

October 3rd, 5PM-7PM at 1117 Studios & Gallery

In "The Race: Silicon Prairie", SkyzEye presents expressive realism in oil, using photography as a backbone for vivid, emotionally charged paintings. Through bold Color, nighttime atmosphere, and unexpected shapes, these works reimagine the familiar with cinematic energy and a distinctly West Texas edge.

You can check out more of SkyzEye's (Schuyler Ferris) work at Skyzeye.com and on Instagram

09/01/2026

Save the Date for the Opening Reception of “The Race: Silicon Prairie” by artist SkyzEye!

Automotive Paintings with a West Texas Edge!!!

October 3rd, 5PM-7PM at 1117 Studios & Gallery

In "The Race: Silicon Prairie", SkyzEye presents expressive realism in oil, using photography as a backbone for vivid, emotionally charged paintings. Through bold color, nighttime atmosphere, and unexpected shapes, these works reimagine the familiar with cinematic energy and a distinctly West Texas edge.

You can check out more of SkyzEye's (Schuyler Ferris) work at Skyzeye.com and on Instagram

07/15/2026

Thank you to all who joined us for our Paint & Create Live Model Experience! Such a fun time to connect and grow as artists!
Special thanks to our model Kimberly Kelley for sharing with us her experiences in Ghana with Village of Hope, and to artist Jeremy Serna for hosting the event!

07/10/2026

This Saturday! Paint & Create- A Live Model Experience

Join us for an intimate afternoon of art and inspiration! This Saturday July 11th, from 2pm-4pm. Bring your media of choice and paint/create alongside our beautiful live model in an elegant studio setting.

Our model will be wearing African attire and curating a scene reflecting the fashion and culture from her recent trip to Ghana.

This Event is FREE! Space is limited, kindly RSVP to secure your seat at [email protected]

06/27/2026

Paint & Create- A Live Model Experience

Join us for an intimate afternoon of art and inspiration! Saturday July 11th, from 2pm-4pm. Bring your media of choice and paint/create alongside our beautiful live model in an elegant studio setting.

Space is limited, kindly RSVP to secure your seat at [email protected]

06/11/2026

06/08/2026

We love all of the creative and talented artists in our studios! Say Hello to 1117's newest Resident Artist Schuyler Ferris!

SkyzEye (Schuyler Ferris) is a contemporary painter based at 1117 Studios and Gallery in Abilene, Texas. Working primarily in oil on hand-built ACM panels, his paintings explore the intersection of realism, atmosphere, memory, and personal narrative.

Originally drawn to portraiture through a fascination with the complexity of the human face, Sky developed a reputation for his attention to detail and ability to capture subtle expression. Over time, that foundation evolved into a broader visual language incorporating reflections, urban environments, automobiles, and symbolic imagery while maintaining a strong connection to the human experience.

Much of his work begins with photographs he captures himself. By controlling the camera, lighting, composition, and moment, he creates source material that serves as the foundation for paintings that move beyond documentation toward interpretation. Dramatic contrasts, saturated color, and cinematic lighting have become defining elements of his work.

Drawing on the same photography and color-management systems used to develop his paintings, Sky also provides professional artwork archiving and reproduction services. His workflow is designed to capture artwork accurately for collections, exhibitions, online galleries, publications, and museum-quality print production.

After a career-ending spinal injury ended his collegiate basketball career, painting became a way to rebuild identity, purpose, and direction. That experience continues to influence his work, which often explores perseverance, transformation, ambition, and the search for meaning through creative expression.

Today, Sky is focused on building a cohesive body of work under the name SkyzEye through original paintings, limited-edition prints, commissions, educational programming, and professional artwork documentation. His goal is to create paintings that reward prolonged viewing, and truly change the atmosphere of the space.

Schuyler Ferris's solo exhibit "The Race" will be opening in September 2026 at 1117 Studios & Gallery. Find more of his work and visit him on Instagram at Skyzeyeart.

05/16/2026

Thank you to Artist Terry Browder for sharing his fabulous work and insight into "Ledger Modern" at the Abilene Creative Arts Club May Monthly Meeting!

Browder paints on historic, handwritten documents, embeds relics of history with his personal touch, adding an Abstract Expressionism influence. Terry’s compositional approach is expressive and colorful with extensive detail.