Once I thought of Bessie Wessel with some pity, a victim of her times,  when women were permitted to study, but not to enjoy a full, satisfying career.  Men, like Bessie’s husband, Herman, would pursue success in the world, while the ladies, God bless ‘em, tended the comforts that would enable the men to fight the good fight.  Then I saw Bessie’s self portrait at Ran Gallery, painted in her mature years.  In it she looks straight ahead with calm, sure, straight-backed complaisance, …and a touch of iron.

Despite having a PhD in Philosophy and Dr. of Divinity Degree I know very little art history.  As a self taught artist, from an early age, I have had creative abilities in drawing and woodworking.  I draw in pencil or charcoal.  I learned tools and skills from my mother.

Emerging Artists Exposed presents Emily Louise Howard discussing her narrative-driven practice across painting, sculpture, and printmaking. In this film interview, Howard describes the “Victorian Appalachian” mythology behind her work, its themes of childhood, family loyalty, good and evil, and the role of reading, writing, and community in sustaining an artist’s life.