Nature in Many Forms: Helen Howerton

Guest Author: Laura Reese, OVAC Intern

Helen Howerton. Long Distance Calling 8”x10” Acrylic/Canvas

Helen Howerton paints nature. She has worked in commercial art, illustration, education, and has built a career on painting wildlife and the Western landscape. She said her goal is to capture the beauty of nature.

She is skilled in painting, and her skills have recently extended to sculpture as well. Her first bronze piece was created for Chemtech Chemical Co. in Geismar, Louisiana. The sculpture was of a blue merlin and was created for an award for best company employees. The Blue Merlin Award was a limited edition of 20 castings cast by the Bronze Horse Foundry in Pawhuska. She created the sculpture without formal instruction in sculpting techniques.

Helen Howerton. Blue Marlin. Bronze sculpture. 11”x5”x7” 

Howerton said she saw professional artist John Coleman’s expertise in clay at a demonstration he did at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 2011, inspiring her to create of bronze sculptures in addition to painting. “I believe that an artist should always seek exploration and education to further their career as a professional artist”, said Howerton.

She was selected for the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s Education Grant in January to fund a portion of her expenses for a four day conference during June on clay sculpting techniques, taught by Coleman. Howerton said she hopes the workshop will help her begin sculpting more and add to her artistic career.

You can see more of Howerton’s work at www.howertonart.com

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition invests in artists’ project through grants for growing careers, creative projects and exceptional continuing education. The next application deadline is July 15. Find guidelines and application here.