I was wondering in what direction I should go with my art in 2015.  Seemed like a good idea to begin at home.  So here are the new signposts in my house!

Signposts to 2015 in my house
Each approx. 12" x 18"
Permanent Marker and colored pencil on cardboard

"Jokie's Tiger" (6 feet x 3 1/2 feet; oils on canvas)  is now in place in the H.A. Cook Condo 

on Rue St. Denis in Natchitoches, LA.  The condo is on the

 Natchitoches Historic Foundation's Tour of Homes.

Bayou Santa
Oils on wood
SOLD 

Painted another one of these on a similar-sized canvas and it sold, too!  Both were at Eunice Community Art House in Eunice, LA.  Thank you, Michele!!!

Daisies
16 x 20
Oils on canvas
SOLD

Friday night a lovely lady from south Louisiana came to Tres Bien Antiques and bought my painting.

Here's Studio 1  at Tres Bien Antiques in Natchitoches, LA.  Please come by and visit with us at 132 Rue St Denis just off Front Street behind Exchange Bank. 

The door in the photo below, Fern Door, is at Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1 in Natchitoches, LA  I was inspired by my daughter's garden and my mother's garden to create this scene.  Acrylics. $400.00.

The door in the photo below, Louisiana Door, is also at Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1 in Natchitoches, LA.  I'm painting a bayou scene onto the glass at the top; a crawfish boil in the first panel below the window; pecans and a pecan pie in the second panel below the window and I'll do Natchitoches Meatpies in the bottom panel. Acrylics. (The door came from the Cook Building next door to Tres Bien Antiques.)

$400.00.

Have begun adding Natchitoches Meat Pies to Louisiana Door. Next, will finish bayou scene at top.

"Bayou Santa"
10" x 30"
Acrylics on wooden tie slab
$200.00

Yes, I know that it's too early to be posting Christmas images but I think you're gonna love this one as much as I do, anyway.  "Bayou Santa" will be for sale at The Eunice Community Art House in  Eunice, Louisiana.  The Grand Opening for the Eunice Community Art House is November 1There will be another version of "Bayou Santa" done on canvas and it will be at Tres Bien Antiques in Natchitoches, Louisiana.  The canvas version will be just about the same size as the wooden one and it will be the same price.

Fleur-de-lis Fun
16" x 20 "
Acrylics on canvas
NFS

This is the image that participants will paint on Thursday, October 23rd, at the Paint Soiree at
Tres Bien Antiques, 132 Rue St Denis, in historic downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana.
We start at 6 pm and finish up about 9 pm.  Refreshments and all materials are provided.  The cost is $40 per person. Call 318-228-8815 to make a reservation...or just drop by Tres Bien.

The design of this particular Fleur-de-lis is based on the finials of the wrought iron fence at the American Cemetery here in Natchitoches.  Something to go with the kinda creepy mood of Halloween!!

Well, I only thought I finished the Tiger painting.  It's undergoing some moderate alterations and will be posted again when completed...finally...for sure...at last.

Jokie's Tiger
6 feet by 3 1/2 feet
Oils on canvas
SOLD

Finally completed Jokie's Tiger!!!!!  It will be over the bar in her condo by Christmas.

These photos are from Paint Soiree at Tres Bien Antiques, 132 Rue St Denis, Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Join me from 6 - 9 pm next Thursday, October 16th for a relaxing evening of wine, snacks and creativity! The next painting is called "Fall Fest" and it features a pumpkin and autumn leaves.

  Call 318-228-8815 to make your reservation for the next Paint Soiree!!!!

Paint Soiree
The painting shown in the photos,"Peartini", was based on one I did in Dan Edmondson's online oil painting workshop. If you're interested in learning to paint through an online course be sure to check out his website:  danieledmondson.com  (Dan is happy for us to sell our paintings or teach what we learn on his courses.)

Paint Soiree

EJoy
8" x 10 "
Multimedia on Board
NFS
This is a tribute to my mother.

Lilacs and Copper
16" x 20"
Oils on Canvas
$300
Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1
132 Rue St Denis
Natchitoches, LA 71457
ellenhgh@gmail.com

This painting is the first assignment in the online Art Masters Painting course by Dan Edmondson.  If you have an interest in painting I recommend taking any course he offers!!

Go to www.danieledmondson.com

Jokie's Tiger

This is a commission.  The canvas is 6 feet wide and 3 1/2 feet tall.
 Right now he's in acrylics but he will be in oils when I'm done.

Egret Landing
Oils on wooden tie slab
$200

Decided to add some bayou scenery to this...Cypress trees with knees; water hyacinths.

A view of Studio 1 at Tres Bien Antiques
132 Rue St Denis
Natchitoches, LA

Final Version of Cougar
Oils on wood
Sold

Lemee House
Oils on Canvas Board
15"x 18"
Not for Sale

Today I am donating this painting to the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches.  

Work in Progress
"Tiger in Water"
4 feet by 5 feet
Acrylics on canvas

Work in progress
Mountain Lion based on photo taken by my cousin

Work in Progress:  Underwater Escape
32 inches x 7.5 inches x 1 inch
Acrylics on Wooden Tie Slab
(stands with no support)

Work in Progress:  Toothy Tiger
27 inches x 40 inches
Acrylics on Foam Board
Sold

Egret Landing
23 in x 10.5 in x 2.5 in
Oil on wooden tie slab
$200

This is from a photo I took of an egret on Cane River in back of my house.  May do some more on it before I put it in Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1.

Today I found evidence that this little guy is still invading my flower beds.  Arghhhh!

He's not as princely as I've portrayed him but in some ways he certainly has made me

his minion. You have to respect his tenacity if nothing else.

Armadillo
4 inches x 4 inches
Oil on canvas
$50

Just completed this painting for my friend Donna and Reese Stephens.  

John Oliver Home, Cade's Cove, TN
16 in x 20 in
Oil on Canvas
SOLD

My most recent sale at Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1

132 Rue St. Denis
Natchitoches, LA.
ellenhgh@gmail.com

The Bridge
8 inches x 10 inches
acrylics/oils on canvas board
SOLD

John Oliver Home, Cade's Cove, TN

May 30, 2014 Progress on John Oliver Home, Cade's Cove, TN

May 30, 2014
9 pm
Nearly done.

May 29, 2014 Progress on John Oliver Home, Cade's  Cove, TN
16 x 20
oils on canvas

This is my "Swamp Scene" project.  I'm using wooden tie slabs that I have cleaned and sanded. First I sketched in the scene with acrylic paints; next I will paint over the acrylics with oils.  I may add an egret. And of course I'll be putting in Spanish moss. Because the surface of the wood is rounded, the water looks strange.  I'll have to think about that one.  Also, I want to get a better reflection of the cypress trees in the water.

May 22: scroll to bottom of this post to see the final version of "Swamp Scene".  You can buy it and/or order a painting on a wooden tie slab at:

ellenhgh@gmail.com
Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1
132 Rue St Denis
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318-228-8815

"Swamp Scene"original painted sketch
Note: two holes in the wood were made by carpenter bees

"Swamp Scene", a work in progress
31" x 7.5" x 1.5" (approx.)
Acrylics on a wooden tie slab 

"Swamp Scene"
31 in. x 7.5 in x 1.5 in
Oils on wooden tie slab
$200

Here are two faces that I began working on several years ago. Viewing the bottom photo first, you see that I began by using paper bowls, egg cartons, and colored markers.  I also added commercially made false eyelashes to Face 2. After constructing the faces and coloring them to get a better idea of what I wanted to achieve, I used papier mache on both faces everywhere except the eyes.  The eyes seemed to be fine and I wanted to keep them as they were.  After the papier mache I painted the faces with layers of  acrylic paint.

Face 1 (on top)
Face 2 (on bottom)

"Blue Tubes"
Digital Image based on cardboard tube assemblage

"Blue Tubes"
Cardboard Tube assemblage

3 Fish Mug
from original painting by Ellen G. Howell
$15.00

Tiger Mug
from original painting by Ellen G. Howell
$15.00

Wooden Fleur-de-Lis on Ring of Wood with Natural Edge
6 1/2 " x 7" x 1 "
SOLD

Every now and then I just want to get more actively involved with processes.  A friend gave me some rings of wood.  I sanded them and decided to keep the natural edges.  Then, I soaked them in mineral oil.  That brought out the gorgeous, deep color of the inside and edges.  Next, I stained the Fleur-de-lis and attached it to the wooden ring.

"Gerbera Daisies"
Oils on canvas
16" x 20"
$200

"Tiger"
Oils on wood
SOLD

"Pelican Skimming Surf"
Oils on Wood
$200.00

"Blooming on the Bricks" in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Saturday was a gorgeous day to be painting outdoors!  Thanks to all the folks who came by Tres Bien Antiques Studio 1. Our sidewalk stall had lots of visitors. Jane Kramar brought some of her fused glass fish and her "Pot" heads as well as her garden pots and eggs and gourd bird houses.

Here's the painting I was working on.  Haven't yet completed it.  Can't decide whether I want the mist or not.

Early Morning

Early Morning