Ellen Gaddis Howell was born and raised in Coushatta, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Gaddis.  Her mother, Joy, was a teacher and supervisor employed by the Red River Parish School Board, and her father was a local businessman and ran The Coushatta Citizen for several years.  Ellen graduated from Coushatta High School.  She received a degree in Art and Design from the Royal College of Dean in England before studying Fine Arts at the University of Wales in Cardiff.  Her illustrated works include three children’s books, two written by George Rhymes and another entitled “I’m Something, Too!” written by herself, and all of which are included in our library.  Ellen has two grown daughters, one son-in-law, and two teen-aged grandchildren.  After working with teachers of four-year-olds for ten years, Ellen now lives on the Cane River in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she paints and kayaks.

            Ellen explains that “connections with people, the natural world, and the past are all important to me and are subjects of my artwork. From an early age my family supplied me with pencils, paper, and time to draw. An elderly cousin once asked to see my hands. She examined them and said, “You have an artist’s hands like your great-grandmother Edith.” Her words have lived in my heart ever since.  As a child I was entranced by the shrine-like hush of a pine thicket in the woods, the slipperiness of mud oozing between my toes, the dizzying perspective observed when perching on a tree limb high above the ground. I paint to show gratitude for growing up with nature’s arms around me.  I want to paint the beauty of what I experience so that when others feel the awe and wonder that inspired my painting, that mutual feeling will create a connection between us.  Finally, painting is a way that I integrate my place, my people, and my past.”

Ellen’s first book, Poor Jack, written by George Rhymes and illustrated by Ellen,  is the true account of the antics of a big, black Labrador Retriever, who dreads the frenzy and festivities surrounding the world-famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival.  At the sound of the fireworks Jack runs for cover, finding safety in his family’s closet.

The second book also written by George Rhymes and illustrated by Ellen is entitled The Outcasts.  This book tells the touching story of a man who rescues a litter of stray puppies, and in so doing fills a gap in his boyhood, as one special put turns out to the puppy he never had.  This story will tug at the hearts of animal lovers both old and young.  Proceeds from the sale of this book went to Natchitoches Hope for Paws, a local animal rescue organization.

Ellen’s third book is I’m Something, Too!  Ellen wrote this book herself and illustrated it as well.  When her grandmother comes to visit, the last thing four-year-old Louise wants to talk about is her new baby brother, Henry.  Mahmee uses Louise’s expression of frustration as an opportunity to show her that she is important and loved even amid the changes that this addition to the family has brought. 

The fourth book written and illustrated by Ellen is Come Back, Jack!  Jack leads several people on a chase of yellow cat through the town of Natchitoches.  Everyone calls for him to come back, but he continues the chase.  In the end, Jack makes a new friend.       

Anyone interested in learning more about Ellen and her painting can find her information on her website https://ellenhowell.com.

Shared by Red River Parish Library

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