Igniting Creativity
Inspired creative brilliance led to a hat-making phenomenon
painting smiles
Local inspiration helped to transform one artist's dream
Everyday Inspiration
Harnessing life's simple moments to spark artistic vision
In this issue March 2025
FEATURES
10 IGNITING CREATIVITY
Inspired creative brilliance led to a hat-making phenomenon
16 EVERYDAY INSPIRATIONS
Harnessing life's simple moments to spark artistic vision
20 WHEN THE SPOTLIGHT BECKONS
Marriage, motherhood and a hint of zombies fueled this actress's comeback
28 PAINTING SMILES
Local inspiration helped to transform one artist's dream
AROUND TOWN
34 FAVORITE FINDS
Unique items from small, local businesses
36 SAVE THE DATE
See what events are coming up
38 FACES OF SEGUIN
Submitted photos from our readers
On the cover
off one of her beautiful, handcrafted designs.
Photo by Felicia Frazar
Navarro High School senior Kayley Thomas, owner of Lazy Daisy Hat Co., shows
Vol. 11, No. 10
Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette.
Publisher
Elizabeth Engelhardt
Magazine Editor / creative Director
Desiree Gerland
Contributors
Felicia Frazar
Victoria Gaytan
Alex Lowe
Dalondo Moultrie
Bianca Rawlings
Abbey Schulze
ADVERTISING
Gay Lynn Olsovsky
Delilah Reyes
Laela Reyes
TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN Magazine Call 830-463-0766
Have Story Ideas? Let us know! seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com
To view the digital version visit issuu.com/seguingazette
As an artist myself, I've always seen art as a deeply personal journey — a process of constant exploration, reinvention and reflection. Creating this issue felt like an opportunity to pause and consider the subtle ways that art influences not just my work, but the very understanding of life. I often find that the act of creation is as much about discovery as it is about expression, a dance between intuition and technique that pushes me to explore new horizons. I contemplated themes that resonate with the challenges and triumphs of my own creative process. It’s been difficult lately to find the time to pursue my own art, so I decided to take some time to reflect on where my inner artist resides. In the quiet spaces between daily obligations, I crave to rediscover that spark — the moments when a stray thought or unexpected color ignites inspiration. This reflection reminded me that creativity isn't always found in grand gestures or monumental projects; sometimes, it's in the subtle shift of perspective, the brief pause before a stroke of genius or even the embrace of uncertainty. This collection is a tribute to those quiet, transformative moments we encounter along the way — moments that reaffirm my belief in art’s power to evolve, provoke thought and ultimately connect us more deeply to the community around us.
Igniting Creativity
Inspired Creative Brilliance Led to a Hat-Making Phenomenon
Asuede hat and a lightbulb sparked a bright business idea for a Navarro High School senior.
Kayley Thomas, owner of Lazy Daisy Hat Co., began her small online business of etching drawings onto cowboy hats a few years ago. She currently maintains the business primarily on Facebook, mostly running a one-woman show aside from some customer service assistance and support from her mother Amanda Thomas.
Story by Abbey Schulze
Phots by Felicia Frazar
Having always been artistic and interested in do-it-yourself projects, Kaylee began experimenting with woodburning on suede after she watched videos online that sparked her inspiration. The one that stuck out the most for Kayley was a video of a man using a woodburning tool to etch initials onto a pair of suede boots, Kaylee said.
“I was like, ‘hey, I have a suede hat, that would be pretty cool, and I’m pretty good at drawing,’” she said. “So I went and got my hat… and I went ahead and burned all over it.”
Kaylee started Lazy Daisy Hat Co. around her sophomore year of high school, shortly after showing her mom her spur-of-the-moment creation.
“I brought it to her and said, ‘look what I did,’” she said. “And then she said, ‘you need to start selling those things.’ So I went back to the [original] website, got that same hat, ordered a few more and then started selling them.”
Though Kaylee quickly embraced the art form, it is far from an easy, quick craft. Before she starts a new hat design, she sketches out flowers, verses or other custom drawings in a sketchbook true to the size they will appear on the hat’s brim. Then, she cuts out a sketch and lays it out on the brim before finalizing it free-hand with the woodburning tool.
“I think about what kind of vibe I want to go for with it, I usually do floral stuff or Western designs,” she said. “I actually just did the same thing, but it was a little bit of a different process because I entered a hat in an art competition for school. With that hat, I had some hummingbirds, and I had never really done anything other than skulls or flowers, so that took a lot [more] trial and error.”
That piece won Kayley a pair of medals at the VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) competition at Canyon Lake High School and a ticket to the state contest.
Once Kayley finishes a one-of-akind piece, she typically posts pictures of her work on Facebook, allowing interested buyers to reach out to her on that platform and pick up items from her home.
“I do let people customize a little bit,” she said. “If they want a bible verse or some sort of scripture on the hat, or if they want initials or a last or first name, [I’ll do] stuff like that.”
She also will man pop-up booths at times or offer stock to local businesses.
“There is a salon in Geronimo… it’s [owned by] one of my mom's friends and I have a consignment deal going on with her,” Kaylee said. “I have quite a few of my hats there.”
As a two-sport student-athlete, Kaylee usually has to slow down production during the school year, with a schedule so full that, despite the nature of her business, it didn’t even allow her to take an art class until this year.
“I made a post that I will only be doing consignments and booths from here on out until I graduate,” she said.
And though Kaylee plans to begin a forensic science degree this fall after her high school graduation, she hopes to keep Lazy Daisy Hat Co. alive.
“I definitely plan on it because I won’t have sports and I will have a lot more free time,” she said.
Everyday Inspirations
Harnessing Life’s Simple Moments to Spark Artistic Vision
Story by Dalondo Moultrie
Phots byVictoria Gaytan
For his whole life, Seguin resident Felipe Bermudez has been an artist. He studied artists in his youth and graduated from college with an art degree, the whole time painting in various styles of expression.
He eventually put down the paint brush and picked up a hammer to be able to put food on the table, the Chicago native said.
“After I got an art degree, I did art,” Bermudez said. “Then I got married, and then you have to work to support the family.”
So, Bermudez said he began working full-time in furniture repair. The work paid the bills and offered a way
to scratch his creative itch. But he still loved to paint. So he occasionally picked up the brush during his years working a 9 to 5.
It was once he retired several years ago that Bermudez began to spend more time in front of an easel, he said.
“I have to do something. I have to create something. That’s the way God made me,” Bermudez said. “For the 30 years I was repairing furniture, the itch was filled by me using my hands and creating things. Now that I don’t do that anymore, I paint to create things. That’s all I can say.”
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Bermudez said his family emigrated to
the United States when he was about 4 years old. The family lived in Chicago during his formative years before Bermudez moved to Texas after graduating from the University of Illinois.
As one might expect, his Chicago roots reveal themselves in his art work, Bermudez said.
For instance, living in the midwest town through the 1960s and 1970s he recalls people “making out” in cars, which he captured in a portrait. Or, the times of creatively beating the heat during summertime in the city had to be captured on a canvas, Bermudez said.
“Then in Chicago, we used to play with fire hydrants,” he said. “I have a painting of people playing with fire hydrants.”
He creates pieces of all types inspired by many things, Bermudez said. From people to buildings, animals to abstracts and everything in between, Bermudez draws from experiences.
“As you pass through life, you see things and things affect you,” he said.
He has seen much in his nearly 70 years of life and travels. Living in Seguin the past seven years, Bermudez continues his artistic endeavors and tries to sell his work at a price fair to himself, he said.
His work takes time, energy and effort and on top of that, there are costs for materials, Bermudez said. On average, he sells his art for about $1,000 per painting.
Bermudez’s artwork is on display at his wife’s law firm Morris, Bermudez & Clifton in Seguin and New Braunfels and at Sal-O-Mon, a restaurant in New Braunfels, he said.
As a younger artist, Bermudez said his pieces leaned more toward modern and abstract art. He said he has become more conservative in his later years and found his personal niche.
All artists should do the same, Bermudez said, offering advice to younger creatives making their way in the world after art school.
“In art school, they really don’t tell you what’s really going on in the world,” he said. “You have to find your own direction. … You have to find the truth.”
When the Spotlight Beckons
Marriage, Motherhood and a Hint of Zombies Fueled This Actress’s Comeback
For more than a decade, Peggy Schott has been all over your television screens. She is perhaps best known for her lead role as Becky Travis in four seasons of the faith-based crime drama series "Vindication" or as the recurring character Tess on AMCs "Fear the Walking Dead," the short film "Malignant" (SXSW Jury Award Winner) and 100-plus other acting credits. Yet she gets the most joy out of her stage and theater work right here in Seguin. Fresh from a leading role in the Texas Theatre production of “On Golden Pond,” Schott talked about the play and her experience in the Seguin acting community.
“I played the role of Ethel in ‘On Golden Pond’. It was the role portrayed by Jane Fonda in the film. Prior to that, I was just in the ‘Christmas Carol’ production at the Texas Theatre “I
really love the fact that here in Seguin it is a true community theater. We get together for rehearsals and script readings in our homes. The people who are putting on these productions all know each other, and they are my friends.”
Schott says there is a sense of cooperation and excitement among Seguin’s artists.
“I love the acting community here in Seguin. It is growing. The Texas Theatre is expanding its schedule of live theater productions, and I am excited to be a part of that,” she said. The way things work now for actors, especially post pandemic, we do self takes at home. So, I don’t even have to drive in to casting directors to audition in Austin or other places. Now we have a place set up in my home to videotape auditions and help other actors out that way.”
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana,
Story by Alex Lowe
Photos courtesy of Peggy Schott & Deborah Jaye Photography
the daughter of a casket maker, Schott had always loved the theater. But it was a long journey that took her back to acting.
“I started doing musical theater back in middle school. I went to an all-girls’ Catholic school in New Orleans and we often combined with the students from a local all boys’ school and performed in plays there,” Schott said. I met my husband there. He was the lighting guy for the plays. We got married a few years later. I went on to get a degree in graphic design. We eventually had kids and raised them and when they grew up and moved out, I started thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had always loved acting. So, I got back into the stage and theater and from there it branched out into film and television. I’ve been doing it for the last 13 or 14 years now.”
Her return to acting focused mainly on theater in the beginning but she also auditioned for commercials and made her way into a Miranda Lambert country music video for the song “Vice.”
“I give her a disapproving look,” said Schott of her performance in the video. “When I told my daughter I was going to do it, she said I’d be good at that!"
Like so many others looking for an artistic hot spot in Texas, Schott and her family eventually settled in Austin. Their move to Seguin came almost by chance.
“In 2017, we were living in Austin. We were looking for a little vacation home on the lake or the river and we found a little house on the river here in Seguin. When the pandemic hit, we happened to be here at the house in Seguin and I told my husband that this thing might last a couple of weeks, and we should just hang out here. Two and a half years later and we are still hanging out here. We decided we didn’t need to be in Austin, so we sold the home in Austin and made the house in Seguin into our full-time home.”
Schott has taken to Seguin and has become an active participant in community affairs. She is a board member of the Seguin Conservation Society, she is also a regular volunteer at the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center and does
volunteer work for Saint James Catholic Church. Her work at the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center is very important to her.
“Before getting involved with them, I did not know what pregnancy centers were. There are over 4,000 of them in the United States and they offer services and assistance to expectant moms and young families at no charge,” Schott said. It is all community funded. We have a new building here in Seguin funded by community donations. There are so many people here who want to help young families, and it is wonderful to be a part of that.”
Schott won the role of Tess
on Fear the Walking Dead after an unusual audition.
She auditioned for parts on Fear The Walking Dead a couple of times before. It was filming in Central Texas and, as an actress, she auditioned, Schott said.
“That’s what we do,” she said. “Most times, you never hear back. Then my agent texted me with an availability check for certain dates for ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. I asked what that meant and he told me it meant that I had gotten the part. You could have knocked me over with a feather.”
She recalls an earlier audition for the part of Doris on the show, which
local Austin actress Mikala Gibson booked. Another interesting note, Schott said, is that to keep secrecy for the series, the audition is not an actual scene from the show, as is with just about everything else she’s done.
“Instead, the writers write mock scenes with a similar character,” the actress said.
Before “Fear the Walking Dead,” Schott already had a familiarity with the zombie genre thanks to her husband.
“My husband had been a big fan of the original ‘Walking Dead’ series for years and so I would watch that with him,” she said. “My character, Tess, appeared in six episodes of season five of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’, which was a spin-off of the original show. I was on set for 29 days, often in the Texas heat but all the cast members were just so welcoming and so friendly. It was a great set to work on.”
It took a while for the reality to set in that she was now working on a show that she and her husband had watched on television so many times.
“It was really cool. I remember one time early on and my husband texted me while I was on the set. I told him that I was sitting next to Lennie James and he flipped,” Schott said. “They were all so nice. I keep in touch with some of them. My character was supposed to come back the following season but then the pandemic hit and changed things. My character fell into a plot hole, so we never quite know what happened to her. But it was a great experience.”
Schott got an early taste of what life as part of the Walking Dead universe would be like. She got to see firsthand the devotion of fans and the great lengths the production team went to in efforts to prevent plot leaks to the public.
“Lennie James, who played Morgan Jones on the show, was the kindest person. He really was. I had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. I could not tell anyone I was on the show,” Schott said. “I went to a television festival in Austin, and I had to buy tickets to get into that packed festival and it turns out they had a panel of actors and produc-
ers from ‘Fear The Walking Dead’. I happened to be sitting in the audience, and they were answering questions from the audience members when Lennie sees me and just points me out. He announces that this is Peggy Schott and she is going to be on the show and he says all these nice things about me.”
Then James turned to the producers and he asked what else he could say
about her, she said. They told him that he had said too much already.
“I even have a video of that somewhere that someone else took of him announcing I would be on the show,” Schott said.
Schott can currently be seen as a regular main cast member on the streaming series “Vindication.” She plays Becky Travis, a role she has
handled for four seasons. She received some big news recently when it was revealed that Angel Studios, the company behind The Chosen and other major faith-based theatrical films, was signing on to the series with Redeem TV. The creator of the “Vindication" series is Jarod O'Flaherty.
“Vindication is a faith-based crime drama series. We’ve had three successful seasons with the fourth coming out soon. It is available on various platforms, most faith and family friendly platforms,” Schott said. “It deals with serious crimes, but it does it in a way that people don’t have to deal with all the vulgar language. You know that violence has happened, but you don’t have to see that on your TV screen. There is no nudity. So, it deals with tough issues but presents them in such a way that you can watch it with your teenaged kids. For me, it has been an absolutely wonderful experience.”
Schott also directs and produces films. She does most of her work here in Texas.
“I do some directing and casting work. There was a film made in the Bastrop area a couple of years ago called the ‘Long Game’ that I cast for the extras, the people in the backgrounds of scenes for that production. I’m also going to be directing another short film here in Seguin soon. I hope to bring more film work here into Seguin,” Schott said. “My husband and I have produced some bigger films. We made a film called ‘Christmas in New Hope’ that was shot in Waco. It is a romantic comedy. It was released this past year. The young woman who starred in it has Down syndrome and she was recently a speaker at The March For Life in Washington. If I know of a good story that I want to help come to life, I’ll do what I can to help make things happen.”
In the end, though, the theater remains her first love.
“Most of my stage experience has been at the community level,” she said. Then when I started doing film and television, I kind of got away from it a little bit. But now, since coming to Seguin, I’ve really gotten back into it again.”
Painting Smiles
local inspiration helped to Transform One Artist’s Dream
When Sara Rosales, the owner of Dynamic Designs Face and Body Art, and her husband moved to Seguin, it was a leap of faith.
“They offered him a promotion, so he came over in 2013 and then I followed in 2014,” Rosales shared. “We had just started dating, so we did long distance for a year and then I joined him here in Texas.”
Adapting to Seguin was a significant shift from Florida.
“It was a big change, but I like that the pace here is a lot slower. It feels less hectic and crowded. I’ve come to really appreciate how friendly people are here,” she said. “In Florida, my friends and I joke that we use up all our people skills at work because it’s all tourism and hospitality. At the grocery store, we’d just stay in our bubble. When I
Story by Bianca Rawlings
Photos by Victoria Gaytan
moved here, people would say hi to me, and I’d think, ‘I don’t know who you are.’ But it was really nice — just weird at first.”
Before her move, art was always a personal passion.
“My mom was really creative and my dad, an engineer with the Navy, was creative in his own way — he’d ‘Frankenstein’ computers together,” she said. My mom would let us help her with drawing and painting, so it was always a hobby for fun. But as far as work went, I was focused on the hospitality industry. I worked in security before moving here.”
Moving to Seguin marked a turning point in Rosales’ life. When security work didn’t pan out, she explored other opportunities and met an artist in San Antonio who changed her path. Rosales met Elisabeth Palmer, owner of Elite Artistry SA, and was quickly taken under her wing as an apprentice.
“She was looking for help for an event and taught me the basics of face painting — how to build my kit, hygiene practices, designs and more,” Rosales said. She was really generous, helping me set up here in Seguin to work on my own.”
This mentorship reignited Rosales’ love for art and set her on a new creative journey.
Rosales’ connection with the Seguin Art League came in 2022, a connection she gives much credit to for her creative growth.
“I went by during the summer and signed up. Since I’ve been there, my art has exploded — I’ve never felt more creative or inspired,” she said. Growing up, art was something I did to de-stress or relax. Now, it’s something I’m actively pursuing. The conversations, classes and encouragement from the art league are nonstop inspiration.”
Rosales’ involvement with the league quickly grew. She began by assisting with social media and publicity, eventually joining the board. Little did Rosales know that this bit of leadership and willingness to help would lead to her eventually becoming the board president.
“When our president’s term was up, I stepped up as a safety net since I had the flexibility. No one else did, so I became president,” Rosales said. It requires a lot — time, sacrifice — but I’ve been learning from the ladies who came before me and, little by little, we’re figuring things out. We hope to bring more events that connect us with the community.”
“I am very grateful for the art league members who have supported and guided me. Especially Clara Mae Marcotte, the former art league president, and Catherine Davis, the gallery director.”
For Rosales, the support from her husband has also been instrumental.
“We’re really fortunate that his job pays him very well and that he’s so supportive of what I do,” Rosales said.
Her leap of faith into working for herself — primarily through face painting and leadership at the art league — has allowed her to focus on her creative passions full-time.
“I’m always inspired now. I’ll see random things or other members’ work and it sparks ideas for my own. It’s incredible to have this community,” she said. Everyone is so welcoming and willing to share tips, tricks and ideas. Even though none of them do face painting, the advice they give helps me improve my work. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a community like this — it’s really special.”
Looking ahead, Rosales is excited about the future of the Seguin Art League and the local art scene.
"There’s so much talent here and so much potential. I hope my story will encourage people to explore the art programs we have in town. Not just the Seguin Art League but organizations like Teatro de Artes and the Mid-Texas Symphony," Rosales said. "Art is for everyone, and there’s a place for everyone in this community."
For Rosales, art is more than just a career — it’s a calling. And through her work with the Seguin Art League, she’s making sure she not only answers it but she also serves as a leader for other artists.
Choose local and independent for all your shopping needs! Thank you for continuing to support our community.
Sexy Blonde Intensive Body Lotion Candle
Triple Bee Boutique - $30
Step into the spotlight with these show-stopping hot pink western boots! Designed for the bold and daring, these boots blend classic western flair with modern, high-fashion pizzazz. Crafted with premium materials and an ultra-glossy finish, every step you take is guaranteed to catch the eye.
1011 E. Court St. | (830)406-2262 www.facebook.com/RusticFlair830
Mont Marte Alcohol Marker Individuals
You're So Crafty - $2/each
Premium Dual Tip Art Markers feature professional quality alcohol ink, making them ideal for artists and designers.
208 S. Austin St. | (830)379-0730 www.youresocrafty.com
Hand Painted Wooden Claw Clip
Wood & Whimsy Creations - $15
Our hair clips are covered on both sides with engraved wood that has been hand-painted and sealed. The hair clips are high-quality material and great for all hair types!
(209) 581-5535
www.woodandwhimsycreations.com
EVENT CALENDAR
Toast to Texas: First – 11 am - 1:30 pm
Celebrate Texas' Independence Day in downtown Seguin with the annual Toast to Texas. Enjoy food trucks, kids activities, and educational displays about Seguin and Texas history. At 1:30 p.m., a ceremony will begin that will showcase the reverence and importance of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. This is the 39th year of the Toast to Texas Celebration but the first in Central Park with other activities. Hosted by the city of Seguin and the Seguin chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Please come visit us and bring the family. On March 2, 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was voted unanimously and signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos by 59 Anglo and Tejano Delegates representing the people of Texas.
Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
Bras for a Cause: Sixth – 5:30pm
Mark your calendars for this year's Bras for a Cause event, PROM NIGHT. Enjoy a glamorous evening dedicated to fundraising for local cancer support while reliving prom memories. Come in your favorite prom attire, and be ready to enjoy a fun-filled and entertaining evening, all while supporting a wonderful cause. Proceeds of Bras for a Cause benefit the Guadalupe Regional Cancer Assistance Fund.
Location: Seguin Coliseum, 950 S. Austin St.
Mariposa Masquerade: seventh – 6 - 10 PM
You’re invited to join us for a night of elegance and allure. Thriving Hearts Crisis Center has served survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and trafficking for 41 years! We hope you will join us for an evening filled with hope and healing for our most vulnerable community members. Individual tickets: $50.00. Sponsorships are also available. www.safeseguin.org
Location: Seguin Coliseum, 950 S. Austin St.
Third Thursday: twentieth – 4 - 8 pm
Businesses and shops in downtown Seguin are open with sales, events, snacks and fun! Each month features a different, exciting theme. Shop Seguin. Shop online or in store.
Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.
Swing for Seguin: twenty-seventh – 8 am - 3 pm
The Seguin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Seguin has formed and nurtured emerging community leaders for over 23 years through its year-long service program that enhances, promotes and strengthens relationships within the community. Each year, participants come together to learn about Seguin, identify particular community needs, and raise money to meet these needs, all the while fostering and developing the skills and relationships to serve our city.
Location: The Bandit Golf Course, 6019 FM725, New Braunfels
