A multidisciplinary artist living and working in Houston, inspiration for “On Your Mark” arrived for Felicia Schneider while reading novels with female archer protagonists. Her figurative sculpture was conceptualized as a Houston version of this fantasy-genre character. Schneider says, “Like our city, in a lush setting, she is modern, strong, sometimes dangerous, and presents an image of fine lines and geometry. There is a reason archery so easily fits into this genre: it is precise and destructive, serves a function, and takes place in the natural world—characteristics which also happen to inspire my art.”

Born in rural Oregon, Schneider forewent a BFA scholarship at Eastern Oregon University to pursue a BS in Environmental Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Always passionate about art, cultures, and the outdoors—finding the oceans, mountains, forests, deserts, lakes, and rivers to be the truest forms of art—Schneider later set out to study at University of Ghana, Accra, farm in Florida and Puerto Rico, travel throughout South America and Mexico, and tour the U.S. by motorcycle. She moved to Houston in 2017 to join the U.S. Geological Survey team, instantly falling in love with the architecture and geometry of this city’s skylines, houses, buildings, and roads—all existing in a harsh and beautiful natural environment. Her time with USGS taught her the craft of and passion for welding—opening an exciting new medium and stirring her long-held love for making objects and creating art. Schneider now teaches and works at TXRX, a non-profit, multi-media makerspace and fabrication and prototyping facility.