We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Ellington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I have always had a studio and shown through galleries, but since retirement I knew I wanted to be able to be at a studio where the public could come visit. This gives me the opportunity to share my ideas and to get feedback.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Even as a professor of art and a dean I found that one needed to be creative in how to create a thirst for knowledge. I found teaching to be as creative as creating a work of art. I have students that come back to me after thirty years to say how I was able to change their lives and create a love of learning. The challenges of connecting with a student as with creating a work of art is being flexible enough to allow for changes and to seek new avenues for success. The lessons I have learned is to enjoy the journey and to appreciate every piece of art and every person as an individual.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I find all of the museums and parks in Houston to be a places that I take friends from out of town. It is great to take a picnic and to go to Herman park and have lunch and hang out. There are so many restaurants in Houston that are amazing that it is hard to choose one.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Harmony Stained glass in Pasadena Texas. The owner Joyce Sullivan is an amazing person who freely shares her knowledge. I took several classes from her and other artists she brought in to teach. I now have the pleasure of teaching classes at Harmony. Two other people who was influential were Stan Price a well know glass artist from Seattle Washington and Professor Palazola my graduate painting instructor at the University of Michigan. Both instilled in me a quest for discovery and life long learning.

Website: dellingtonartstudio.com

Instagram: instagram.com/dellingtonartstudio

Facebook: facebook.com/dellingtonartstudio

Image Credits
buburuzaproductions bogan@buburuzaproductions.com

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