Courtesy ‘Necisary Use' is a collage of print paper, ink, powder pigment, gold pen, markers and pencil.

WHO: Rex Hausmann, 24

MEDIA: Everything from oil and acrylics to coins, dried flowers, driftwood from Hurricane Katrina and pages from books. While primarily a painter, Hausmann also creates sculptures, collages, assemblages, digital works and graffiti. From 2005-2007, he led the D'Antoni Project, a multi-artist, multimedia collaboration based on the 12 apostles.

BEST KNOWN FOR: Work influenced by his Christian faith and the history of Western religion and philosophy. Hausmann said he uses his art to explore his beliefs. “That's what these works are really about, questioning things. Why do I think the way I do?” he said. “I wouldn't say I'm a religious artist. I just happen to be an artist who's religious.”

Hausmann believes strongly in reaching people through art; besides leading several public art projects across the country, he also opened his own gallery in Boerne, rexcontemporary, to showcase his work and others'.

CURRENTLY: “The Private Collection,” an exhibit of six of Hausmann's works, is showing at rexcontemporary. “The Brothers” is one of his works that he made by creating a painting then covering it with another; it's made of seven layers. “The work is like a diary in a way,” he said. “They constantly change, and when I finally get sick of it, I'm done.” The collage “Necisary Use” includes text with many misspellings, reflecting Hausmann's dyslexia, which he deliberately doesn't correct in his work.

BACKGROUND: Born and raised in San Antonio, Hausmann began selling paintings and doing commissions in high school. He studied business at Baylor University and UTSA (“I didn't think I could make a living as an artist,” he said) before receiving his BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design last November.

THE WEB: rexhausmann.com

CHECK HIM OUT: “The Private Collection” can be viewed by appointment at rexcontemporary, 714 S. Main St., Studio D, Boerne, through early April; call (210) 884-6390. A book Hausmann has compiled about his work, “Rex Hausmann: Painting and Life,” will be released within the year.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA Contributor