Ilisa Miller Howell grew up in Lancaster County PA. Born an artist, she began creating when she could hold a crayon. Before 18, she had traveled to Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Haiti, Costa Rica and England. Her travels shaped her perspective on humanity, Mother Earth, Father Sky and life experience. She has a BA in Art and continues her education via workshops and classes across the United States. Ilisa is an intuitive painter, after placing the paint on the paper images emerge. “It is as if I am opening a gift with each painting.” Her artwork is in high end boutiques and eclectic shops across the US. She resides in North Carolina with her three cats, two dogs and tomato frog. She constantly creates in her home studio when she is not traveling.

Ilisa Miller Howell grew up in Lancaster County PA. Born an artist, she began creating when she could hold a crayon.

Before 18, she had traveled to Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Haiti, Costa Rica and England. Her travels shaped her perspective on humanity, Mother Earth, Father Sky and life experience.

She has a BA in Art and continues her education via workshops and classes across the United States.

Ilisa is an intuitive painter, after placing the paint on the paper images emerge. “It is as if I am opening a gift with each painting.”

Her artwork is in high end boutiques and eclectic shops across the US.

She resides in North Carolina with her three cats, two dogs and tomato frog. She constantly creates in her home studio when she is not traveling.

Ilisa Miller Howell

Posted on Sun, Jan. 13, 2008

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AIM

Painter is sharing her artistic eye and soul

Howelling Moon owner holds classes for children and artists

JEANNETTE ASTOURIAN

Ilisa Miller Howell grew up in Lancaster, Pa., and began her life as an artist at 3, when she could hold a crayon. Before age 18 she had traveled to Bolivia, Peru, Haiti, Brazil, Costa Rica and Europe.

The travels shaped her perspective on humanity, nature and life experience. She had spent years studying art, painting and even creating fine jewelry, but when she turned 36, she decided it was now or never to seriously pursue her career. She created Howelling Moon Artworks and hasn't looked back.

Howell has a bachelor's degree in art but relies on her artistic eye as part of the creative process.

"I am an intuitive painter," she says. "I place the paint on the paper and look at it from different angles. The images then emerge. I never know what the end result will be. It is as if I'm unwrapping a gift with every painting."

Howell is inspired by color, which is evident when you see her Web site, www.howellingmoon.com.

"I taste, smell, hear and feel color. The essence of color is in every living creature. Through life's experiences, we are connected to each other. It is within those experiences that my paintings are born," she says.

Although her paintings are infused with color, she teaches that everyone has his or her own vision and style and helps her students uncover their own artistic talents.

She moved to this area less than two years ago, but Howell seems as familiar with the Lake Norman area as if she had been here for 20. She's donated artwork for fundraising, taught classes in public and private venues, exhibited her work locally and online, participated in juried competitions and is launching a network and mentoring program for artists. She offers private lessons, including lessons for groups of home-schooled children. She's doing something that most creative people dream about -- creating a career doing something she loves -- and she wants to help others do the same.

Ahlara International owner Lynne Wiggins offered the use of meeting space to Howell, and she's making good use of it by holding classes for children and programs for artists of all ages.

Coming up this weekend on Jan. 19 is "Artworks for Children," six-week classes for ages 6-9 and 10-14. Children study a different artist every week and then create their own masterpieces using the technique of the featured artist. Supplies are included, and details are available at Howell's Web site. E-mail ilisa@howellingmoon.com, or at www.ahlarainternational.com. Look for the calendar at either Web site, or call Ahlara at 704-662-0946. They're located at 155 Joe V. Knox Avenue in Mooresville, near Lowe's YMCA.

Working with the philosophy that there is room enough in the world for everyone to be successful, Howell is launching a program, Celebrate Our Local Artists, which will begin Jan. 17 and then meet 6-8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Ahlara International in Mooresville. There will be an exhibit, reception and wine tasting. Artists will be able to meet, learn about opportunities to exhibit, and -- as Howell says on her Web site -- "Mingle with the artists and be in the company of other art lovers."

Ilisa Miller Howell's paintings can be seen in several local places, including Ageless Remedies in Huntersville, 704-896-3223. She also has work online at www.fineartregistry.com. She has just been named a finalist in the Emerging Artist Charlotte's Art with Heart Competition, which introduces regional artists to the community and raises funds for domestic violence programs. You can learn more about the program at www.artwithheartauction.com.

Jeannette

Astourian

Jeannette Astourian lives in Mooresville. Have an item for her? E-mail: jastourian@charlotteobserver.com.

Ilisa is Awarded Best of Show

in 2-D category at the

American Craft Retailer Expo. 2008

New Age Retailer

Her work will be highlighted in the September/October issue of New Age Retailer. New Age Retailer reaches 16,000 retailers nationwide.

Retailers who are interested in purchasing her work wholesale are invited to go to www.wholesalecrafts.com enter Howelling Moon Artworks in the Search bar.

Posted on Sun, May. 18, 2008

Charlotte Observer

Statesville artist honored

Statesville artist Ilisa Miller Howell just returned from participating in the American Craft Retailers Expo in Las Vegas and was awarded Best of Show in two-dimensional art. Howell will be featured in the September/October edition of New Age Retailer magazine.Howell's paintings can be seen at www.howellingmoon.com.

Jeannette Astourian lives in Mooresville. If you have a story to share, e-mail jastourian@charlotteobserver.com.

Contact: ilisa@howellingmoon.com

Phone: 704.657.2324

Fax: 866.470.3095