About
Nena Howell
Nena Howell
"Experience the transformative power of my art, inspired by ancestral rhythms and a
deep connection to nature.” Thank you (Gunalchéesh) Nena Howell
Like the resonant beat of my ancestral spirits' drums, my work arises from a place of celebration and inherent rhythm. Immersed in the embrace of brushes and oils, I experience a profound sense of wellness. Within this creative space, a fluid energy, enlivens and energizing my spirit, which I then translate onto the canvas. My art is an expression of movement and ancestral energy, seeking to connect and foster well-being.
On canvas, I bring forth values of survival, connection, stewardship, respect, and gratitude. I explore pursuits and passions that reveal intimate connections between figures and the natural world. My contemporary figurative oil paintings hold reverence for my Northwestern coastal Tlingit formline, the rich heritage of my Ukrainian roots, and the expressive freedom of abstract expressionism.
I continually draw inspiration from artists such as Richard Schmid, Lee Krasner, Jeffrey T. Larson, Alice Neel, Preston Singletary, and the significant legacy of my late grandfather, master Tlingit artist Rudolph Walton of Sitka, AK, whose works reside in museums across Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and Canada.
Reverence for my elders and a deep commitment to stewardship for all people, land, and sea are central to my artistic practice. This well-being I find in creating guides my hand as I continually seek new opportunities to place meaningful works with private collectors, to honor cultural expression through regalia in oils, and to connect with communities seeking wellness through art.
More than just materials and visible forms, my art embodies presence and a guiding fluid energy that connects and celebrates all sentient life.
Nena feels her ancestral spirits and wellness guide as she creates her contemporary figurative oil paintings. Nena’s work is an expression of movement that connects people and nature. Born from her Tlingit and Ukrainian roots, she infuses each work with themes of abundance, wellness, and stewardship.
Inspired by a number of contemporary artists and her late Tlingit grandfather, Rudolph Walton, a distinguished
master artist and carver from Sitka (pic shown here).
After a full career in business and marketing, in the winter of 2020, Howell pivoted full-time to art, and the business of art creation for the private portfolio market and wellness through art practice.
Howell is a juried top 40 national finalist at the Interstate Exhibition, Central Wash University. She is a 2024 First Peoples Fellowship awardee and is a certified Tlingit & Haida tribal artist and a member of Women Painters of Washington. Her studio is homed in Wenatchee and Gallery 110 in downtown Seattle represents Howell.
JURIED
Apr 2025 Award "Honorary Mention", Alatheia's National Exhibition & Benefit, Leavenworth, WA
Sept 2024 In the Spirit, WA State History Museum, Tacoma, WA
Aug 2024 Statewide Juried Exhibition 'Confluence', Gallery One, Ellensburg, WA
Jul 2024 In the Spirit Exhibition, WA State History Museum, Tacoma, WA
Jul 2024 Bellevue Art Museum Art Fair, Bellevue, WA
Nov 2023 National Finalist Interstate Exhibition,
Central WA University – Sarah Spurgeon Gallery, Ellensburg, WA
Jun 2023 Winner 2YR Membership, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA
Mar 2023 Finalist, Heritage University, Toppenish, WA
Jun 2022 First place Plein Air, Two Rivers Gallery, Wenatchee, WA
EXHIBITIONS CURRENT
See TODAY page for all current exhibitions
EXHIBITIONS PREVIOUS YEARS
Mar 2024 Group, Gallery 110, Seattle, WA
Jan 2024 Solo, Art Alley Pybus, Wenatchee, WA
Nov 2023 Group, Wild Arts Audubon, Portland, OR
Sep 2023 Group, Lemolo, Wenatchee, WA
Aug 2023 Group, Village Art, Leavenworth, WA
Jul 2023 Group, Night Market, Wenatchee, WA
May 2023 Group, Bird Fest, Leavenworth, WA
Oct 2022 Group, Pacific Art League, San Francisco, CA
Dec 2021 Group, Collapse Art Gallery, Wenatchee, WA
Jun 2021 Group, Two Rivers Gallery, Wenatchee, WA
EDUCATION
Institutional art studies:
University of Alaska and University of Washington
Seattle’s Gage Academy of Art and Wenatchee College
Sedona Art Center and Pacific Art League
Sessions studied under:
David A. Boxley Sr. and David Laffel
Nancy Taylor Stonington and Andy Thomas
Kai Lun Qu and Lonnie Zarem
Artist travel studies:
Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Spain, France, Italy and Sweden
COMMUNITY
Feb 2024 Elected Member, Women Painters Washington
Jan 2024 Art Business Fellowship, First Peoples Fund
Dec 2023 Elected Board Member, Gallery 110, Seattle
Jan 2023 Certified King County Small Contractor Supplier
Nov 2022 Certified WA Office Minority & Women Business
Feb 2022 North Central Washington Arts Alliance member
Oct 2021 Certified Tlingit & Haida Tribal Artist