Some History
My Work
Most of my work is done from referencing photography. Through good and bad experiences I have gained great knowledge in the varied opinions of referencing photos when painting. There are many great artists in the world that have successfully done the very same. The knowledge and success lies within where that idea originates and thus translates as my own original works.
So, I began creating from photography specific to each of my pieces. Photographers and their talent for seeing just what I see were selected and used when I could not re-create the idea using my own photographic talents and resources. |
I began my life as a child who chose to express important events through the gift of drawing. I discovered a therapeutic process in a way that drove me to become creative in helping others express. My life began by successfully being a young protégée, artistic in ways that could only be a blessing from God. The visualization process flows from my imagination and onto the surface of choice. Adulthood took me into the world of animation and studio artforms and then on to the world of counseling and therapy where I have now landed in an endeavor to recreate my life as a fine artist. This brings me full circle to exactly where I want to be while taking an incredible journey full of incredible experiences that allows me to show passion and emotion in my work.
From studio animator to therapist, my goal has always been for art to be an expression which invokes emotion. Through hand application of organic soft pastels and ink to natural artist canvas, I have discovered a unique method of creating rich depth and texture. This provides a visual experience for the veiwer that promotes storytelling. It’s easy to overlook the large role colors play in our daily lives. They influence our mood and decisions, they can attract or repel attention and we designate and organize things based on their hue. Art is therapeutic in so many ways and when we bring color to the forefront, life begins. |
Art Education
A.A. Illustration; UH
M.A./Psy.D. Art Therapy/Animation; USC
B.S. & M.S. Creative Ed Dev.; Steward U
Work Experience in the Arts
1976- Current : Contract Graphic Artist, Animator, Illustrator, Art Therapist
1978-1995 : Contract Sr.Art Director - Haynes Co. Advertising; HEI Publishing; WD Studio
Graphic Arts Curriculum Development Board College of the Mainland, Texas 1995-1996
1995-1997 : Contract Art Director/ Designer -Third Millennium Publishing
1996 to Current: Private Art Therapy Practice - Five Speed Therapy
2013 to Current : J. Howard Fine Art
2014 to Current : The Organic Pastel Doctor
Art Awards –
Division Grand Champion HLSR - 1975
Best New Industry Artist - 1983
Annie - 1993
Art Space Viewer’s Choice 2015
11th Annual Mile High International Art Exhibit; Denver Art Museum and Library
In Dreams: The New South Gallery and Studios 2015 Juried Show
2015 Art Comes Alive Show Catalog- Best 150 Artist Selection
2016 Linus Gallery Art and The Senses Exhibit - International
2016 The Hunting Art Prize Finalist
Kalieb Gallery San Jose CA- Perspective 2016 Juror's Choice
Elise Teckington Award 2017
Visual Arts Alliance Dallas TX Best in Show 2017
ADC Art Comes Alive Gallery Award 2017
ADC Art Comes Alive Purchase Award 2017
Cowboy True Best in Show Drawing 2018
Western Art Rodeo Association Awards 2018
Western Art Museum Solo Show 2019
University of Michigan medical Center Solo Exhibit 2019
Clarksville TN Solo Show 2020
Winnsboro Cultural Arts Center Solo Exhibit 2020
The Nav Museum Solo Show Award 2018 - Resident artist 2021
Art Memberships –
Brazosport Center for Arts and Sciences
Chrysalis Art Foundation
Gulf Coast Art Foundation
Pastel Society of the Southwest
Pastel Society of Southeast Texas
International Association of Pastel Societies
Western Art Rodeo Association
Cowboy True Association
Rockport Center for the Arts
Museum of Fine Arts
Skills –Painting; Illustration; Animation; Production; Photographic & Film Art Direction
Mediums- Organic Soft Pastels and pencils; Acrylics; Charcoal; Digital Animation
Creative Accomplishments –
The Factory Gallery Opening January 2015
Art Space Gallery Exhibit Summer 2015
Old Post Office Museum and Art Center Exhibit
St. Tammeny Gallery Exhibit 2015
Women in the Arts Exhibit 2016- one of 10 national women artists
Illustrator/Developer/Designer - Gem Publishing; HEI Publishing; Gulf Publishing;3rd Millennium Publishing
Solo Exhibit Harold's in the Heights Feb/March 2016
The Scarab Club Exhibit June/July 2016
Art Quench Issue 4 Cover Art and inside spread 2016
Kalieb Gallery San Jose CA- Perspective 2016
Solo Exhibit Saulsbury Gallery- Feb/March 2017
Art on Mechanic Gallery 2017
Ameristar Gallery 2017
Heaven's Art Gallery 2016-2017
Culture Club Gallery 2018
Your Private Collection Gallery 2018
Adobe Western Art Gallery 2018
Western Art Museum Solo Show 2019
University of Michigan medical Center Solo Exhibit 2019
Clarksville TN Solo Show 2020
Winnsboro Cultural Arts Center Solo Exhibit 2020
The Nav Museum Solo Show Award 2018 - Resident artist 2021