Play and connections with people, the natural world, and the past are important to me. My childhood inspires much of my artwork. Exploring the woods, building tree houses, wading in streams, and making mud pies left me with impressions of many textures, smells and sounds. In addition, sitting at my grandmother's feet as she read aloud "The Princess and the Goblins" and "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" helped me to visualize places and times that represented a depth of mystery beyond my everyday life.
Most of my work includes representational drawings, paintings, and 3-D creations. However, I also enjoy layering acrylics, textiles, and paper. It's fun to let loose and see where the colors, textures and shapes take me!

I studied drawing for eleven years under various tutors while living in England and Wales. In 1998 I received a BTECH Diploma in Art and Design: Studio Ceramics from the Royal Forest of Dean College in Coleford, England. Following that I attended the University of Wales in Cardiff on the Art Foundation Course.
Upon returning to the USA in 2001 I joined the Hammond Art Guild and later the Natchitoches Art Guild. While in Hammond I had two exhibitions of my work. As I worked for the Louisiana State Department of Education over the next 10 years I also illustrated and published five children's books. They are all available on Amazon.com. In 2015 I shared one of them at the Experience Louisiana Festival in Eunice, Louisiana. In that same year my submission was chosen to be the official Christmas Poster for the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. At present my art is for sale at Tres Bien Antiques in Natchitoches, Louisiana and at Jokie's Gallery, also in Natchitoches.. I take commissions to paint portraits of people and pets.
My blog is ehpaintings.blogspot.com. My Facebook Page is Ellen Howell Paintings.

http://EHpaintings.blogspot.com