We had the good fortune of connecting with C Ellen Hart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi C Ellen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The first imperative was to build a sustainable practice supporting my painting and artistic development. I already believed in Art as a communication skill, and the necessity to connect with a viewer. I loved meeting and talking with others about art, and getting feedback showing the validity of my expression.

At this juncture a business provided the structure to open windows from my private studio practice to the world of art-interested individuals. I had to expand my thinking to include budget, inventory, consistancy, timing, taxes – all the basics of operating as a business including building a life that allowed both making and business tasks. I focused on getting eyes on my work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work focuses on the capture of a moment in time with all it’s sensual, emotional fullness. The paintings are inspired by nature and walk the line between abstraction and representation. I push towards the essence of an experience. I am excited to expand my source experiences and keep building my vocabulary of art processes.

I have always believed that my paintings are not truly finished, and have not completed their purpose, until they have interaction with a viewer. As a young artist I started entering juried exhibitions. My work evolved over time with feedback from viewers and collectors. After a few years I reached out to Agents, Art Consultants, and Gallerists who responded to my work Most importantly I paint daily and have built a strong supportive practice. In recent times I’ve ventured into posting online in a couple of formats. And I am grateful for having a display space in Sawyer Yards here in Houston that gives me a chance to interact with the public through twice monthly Open Studios. Sawyer Yards also provides me with a community of artists that support each other in our work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My dear friend, Judith, who lives in British Columbia, visits bi-yearly. I take her to our amazing thrift stores like Blue Bird Circle and the Guild Shop, and MAM thrift in the Heights. We hit all our favorite Mexican restaurants around town – Goode Co Cantina, Teotihuacan, and La Hacienda in the Heights. We go to HMFA, the Contemporary Arts Museum, Asia Society Texas Center, and other institutions that feature the arts as well as supportive art agents like Jack Meier Gallery and Yvonamor Palix Fine Arts. We always go to Surroundings, our favorite shop on Sunset Blvd. We have dinner parties and meet up with many mutual friends who are working in the visual and literary arts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my partner in life and art, Jack Hart, as well as the community of artists and John Deal Company at Sawyer Yards, Houston, Texas.

Website: https://ellenhartstudios.com

Instagram: ellenhartstudios

Facebook: ellen.hart.503

Other: https://www.sawyeryards.com/campus/artists

Image Credits
Jack Hart

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.