Deborah Ellington spent her summers at a Northern Michigan family home on an island where the only mode of transportation was boats. Being able to explore the island both by water and land without seeing much human activity impacted her love for the water, boating, and nature. Deborah still travels to the family island home every summer to reconnect with nature and her family.
Growing up on water and with different types of boats has impacted Deborah’s perspective on boats and nature. Boats have always been a symbol of solitude and discovery. They are vessels that hold everything and can take one on physical and metaphorical adventures. In Northern Michigan, the weather can change in an instant. A lovely sunny day can turn into high winds and waves within an hour. Many of Deborah’s works reflect the movement found in the water and in nature through undulating lines. Whether working on a painting or with glass, she states that she is not painting; rather, she is drawing with the paint.
Deborah went to Albion College for a degree in art education. After college, she began teaching K -12 in Michigan. She ended her career as an instructional dean at Lone Star College in Texas. In between, she was an art professor and department chair at Lone Star College. Deborah has never stopped teaching. Even after retirement, she teaches design, drawing, painting, and color workshops to students. She feels that turning on the love of learning is as creative as being an artist because everyone is different, and there is never one cookie-cutter approach.
At the University of Michigan, she found a mentor in Professor Guy Palazzola, who she studied under for her masters in painting. He taught her to look, dissect, and understand the objects being represented, as well as all of the materials and processes used. It was not enough to use paint from a tube but to learn to mix it and know what it contained. The assignment that was the most significant breakthrough was the one that required that she create a painting using one tube of white paint to make a minimum of eight distinct values of white.
Having an interest in representing the same ideas in two-dimensional and three-dimensional form led Deborah to a Master of Fine Arts degree at Sam Houston State University, where she studied ceramics under Professor Evelyn Anderson. Professor Darryl Patrick, with whom she took several art history courses, taught her the love of research and travel. Both professors showed Deborah how to look at other times, artists, and cultures to better communicate her thoughts.
Glass became a natural medium for Deborah to explore, as it requires knowledge of firing processes and chemicals and their reactions. She wanted to translate her paintings and drawings into glass. Looking online, she found a wonderful artist, Stan Price, outside of Seattle, Washington. She took a class on drawing and painting with Reusche, which is similar to what was used in the Middle Ages to define the features of the saints. Deborah went back to study with Stan several times, taking individual lessons.
Deborah continues painting and creating in glass. A recent focus in glass has been an influence of the Bauhaus, a school and movement at the beginning of the 20th century that emphasized the combination of fine arts with arts and crafts. Her new series features sculptural pieces that are also functional.
Her paintings and works on paper continue to reflect nature and natural phenomena. They investigate patterns, movement, and symbolism.
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Nature is my perpetual muse. I work to translate its essence into both three and two-dimensional art. Its awe-inspiring forces and magical essence are conveyed through hues, textures, lines, and shapes. Employing different materials and space conveys a subtle difference in the underlying concepts. Exploring both dimensions offers an enthralling challenge. Setbacks fuel my growth, leading to new creative avenues and enriching exploration.
My fascination with glasswork arises from delving into its intricate processes, merging chemistry and physics. Leveraging my painting background, I work to transcend glass limitations, aiming to represent ideas beyond its materiality.
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Who will WiVLA highlight next?
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Each month, a WiVLA member is highlighted in the Newsletter. This is a fun way for us to get to know each other.
Contact the Literary Art Chair or the Visual Art Chair, if you would like your time in the spotlight.
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Cassandra's oil painting, The Red Sea, is currently part of the Surging Seas & Mounting Waves exhibition at Webster Presbyterian Church in Webster, TX. The exhibit runs through June 15, 2025. |
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Her painting Wings of Diversity was selected for the Under the Big Top: A Study of Inclusion and Exclusion exhibition at the Greystone Grand Gallery in Washington. The exhibit will run from May 15 to June 29.
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Cassandra is also having a solo show, Transcendent Worlds, at The Factory HTX from May2-June 30.
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Jamie had 4 photographs in the Hardy and Nance Black and White show on Apirl 20th.The photographs were: "Spiral Stair Case" , "Jelly Fish", "Inside the Musee D'Orsay Clock", and "Spring on the Lawn." |
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Jamie also had several pieces in the Texas City Art Festival juried art show.
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Margot's new poem, A Starchy Kind of Love, is in Formidable Woman.
Margo thanks to John Milkereit for inspiring writers with his delicious sense of humor and her critique group. Also, thanks to d. ellis phelps, Sandi Stromberg, and Sventlana Litvinchuk for choosing her poem.
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Houston Visual Artist Network Exhibitions
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“Worth 1000 Words” at Lyric Works through May 30, 2025
A picture is worth 1000 words! This is so true. Author Arthur Brisbane is credited with this quote at The Syracuse Advertising Men’s Club in 1911. He was right! Come see what all the talk is about! Houston Visual Artist Network offers up many pictures to start the conversation at Lyric Works in the Lyric Tower, 440 Louisiana St. #900 (8th and 9th floors), in beautiful downtown Houston.
Participating WiVLA artist include: Iris Salmins, Susan Salter, Shirley Beyer, Ruby R Scott, and Melody Locke.
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“For the Love of Art” at Outreach Center of West Houston through June 2, 2025
This exhibition is located at Outreach Center of West Houston, 725 Bateswood Dr., Houston, TX 77079, Feb. 12 - June 2, 2025. Outreach Center is open weekdays, 9-5.
Participating WiVLA artist include: Susan Salter, Shirley Beyer, and Melody Locke.
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“The Power of Art” at Blue Prolific Studio through May 30. 2025.
This exhibition and sale is located at Blue Prolific Studio, 2189 Cypress Creek PKWY, Suite #208, Houston, TX 77090.
Artwork at the exhibition and sale includes both 2D and 3D artwork, Paintings, Photography, Glass, Ceramic, Sculpture, Encaustic, Mixed Media, and much more. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
Participating WiVLA artist include: Iris Salmins, Susan Salter, Deborah Ellington, and Melody Locke.
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Margaret has been engaged to present a training program on persuasion, drawing from her book Women Can Renew the World IF…and So Can You for a group of women commercial realtors.
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Houston Area Art Tribe (HAAT) Exhibition
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Join Houston Area Art Tribe (HAAT) for their exhibition at the Cloisters in Christ Church Cathedral, downtown Houston, through June 8, 2025.
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Pat Waughtal: Will be a featured artist for the month of May with Kathie Nelson at St. Luke’s Methodist Rotunda Gallery
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Her unique hand built ceramics will be part of the the Fire Gallery Grand Opening, Saturday May 10th, 10am-5pm, 1520 Silver Street.
For more information, contact schaer@artgeekgal.com. You can also view samples of her work at www.artgeekgal.com or https://www.instagram.com/schaerarts/
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Kathi's chapbook, consider the light, will be available for pre-sale in May from Finishing Line Press.
- Advance copies/pre-publication sales: May 19, 2025 – July 25, 2025
- Release date (books will be mailed): September 19, 2025
Grab you copy here once it is released!
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Melody's gold and sepia-toned print, Yo Ho National Park III, was juried into the Black Box Gallery Focus: Trees and Water exhibition.
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Melody's exhibit, DREAMSCAPE: The Garden of Your Mind, at The Jung Center runs through May 11th.
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We look for writing of all kinds that uses skill, wit, and determination to deliver the goods. We accept and publish poetry, short fiction, flash fiction, micro-fiction, short scripts, excerpts from longer works, memoir, criticism, craft essays, artwork, journalism, and shopping lists.
Theme: Here is my handle. My trucker name. The thing we hold onto. The thing the vandals broke. The it we take care of.
Here be the agent, the trainer, the mechanic, the event planner, the banister and the potholder. The people and things that make it happen, or won’t let it happen. The neighbor who plows the snow when you need to get away.
And here is my spout. My rant. My rap. My man-splaining. The device that lets us neatly pour the hot water over the tea bag without burning our hand or missing the cup. The thing that allows for the flow. And the flow itself. Hands-free and handle-free.
For Journal 14, we embrace the idea that there are two kinds of people in the workplace, in government, and in your life – those who handle. And those who spout. We love them both. We also embrace the teapot, the Neti pot, and the melting pot. The handles and the handlers. The spout and the pour. Working Separately. Working together. Helping you quench and helping you breathe.
For Journal 14, take any piece of this, and send us your creation.
Entry Deadline: 6/15/2025
Entry Fee: Optional support offerings
Requirements: see details in prospectus
Published : In summer
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As writers, we love working with words, but what happens when they fail us? We are asking writers to explore the chaos, heartbreak, and transformation that can come from misunderstandings, made-up truths, and intentions gone wrong.
We're looking for work about how missed connections can influence outcomes, where silence appears to speak louder than words, or where a simple miscalculation in communication leads to unforeseen consequences.
We are always interested in all kinds of work. Whether it’s a humorous mix-up, disastrous failure, or the quiet tension of words left unsaid, the theme of miscommunication should be at the heart of your work.
Please submit your strongest fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and we will choose one winner that we feel interprets the theme best.
We are also looking for artwork to be featured on the covers of our issues.
The prize is $325 and print publication in the Summer 2025 issue. All submissions are considered for print publication in the Summer 2025 issue.
Theme: “Mixed Messages.” We are open to loose interpretations of the theme in any genre, as always.
Entry Deadline: 6/1/2025
Entry Fee: $12
Requirements: see details in prospectus
Published : Summer 2025 issue.
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The Arts Council is a non-profit community organization providing education, arts experiences, and the promotion of creative expression for artists, students, and residents of all ages and backgrounds. Through classes, community programs, and art events we provide artistic opportunities and community collaboration. Over 90% of our arts programming is available free to the public, allowing equitable access to people with diverse arts experience.
The Arts Council Wichita Falls will select 100 pieces for the exhibition ACWF Small Works 2025.
Theme: Open. All media will be considered, including paint, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture (wall-mounted), digital, and photography.
Deadline: 5/16/2015
Fee:$25 for up to 3 images
Location: The Kemp Center for the Arts, West End Gallery, 1300 Lamar Wichita Falls, Texas.
Show Dates: August 1st - October 4th, 2025
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An annual challenge and exhibition of small prints relating to topics of peace and justice, done by artists in the United States. It is organized by SOS ART, a non-profit organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio, whose mission is to promote the arts as vehicles for peace and justice and for a better world.
Theme: Peace and Justice
Deadline: 6/2/2015
Fee: X
Location: Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
Show Dates: June 20th- July 13th 2025
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ARDEST GALLERY OPEN CALL: Color Fields
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"Color Field" is a Juried art show to be held at Ardest Gallery in The Woodlands, Texas,
Color Field is an artistic movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s, characterized by large, flat areas of color within works. To pay homage to this movement, we are hosting a group art show featuring COLOR. All techniques welcome. All mediums are eligible for submission; 2D and 3D art welcome.
Theme: Color Fields
Deadline: 5/9/2015
Fee: $30 for six image
Location: ARDEST GALLERY, 25200 Grogan's Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380.
Show Dates: June 4th- July 36th 2025
The Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, June 7th from 5-8 p.m. with a presentation by the Juror at 7 p.m.
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Unpublished chapbook of poems or prose.
Theme: Open
Deadline: 5/1/2025
Entry Fee: $20
Length: Manuscripts should be 16-36 pages in length (double-spaced for fiction and creative non-fiction).
Published : Finalists and semi-finalists for the spring competition are announced around the end of August each year. The winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
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The Narratively x Belletrist True Romance Writing Prize will award remarkable memoir and reported stories— from first dates you’ll never forget to the breakup that rocked your world, love quadrangles to lost-and-found soulmates, unthinkable sacrifices to romantic connections that defy all odds.
We’re excited for the big and bold as well as the sweet and simple, with bonus points for new perspectives that shift our understanding of romance and relationships and reignite our pride about being human in 2025.
We’ll even be teaming up with Emma and the Belletrist crew to develop our favorite stories for the screen!
We’ll award winners in the following two categories:
Longform (1,000-5,000 words)
Two finalists: $1,000 each
One grand prize: $3,000
Shortread (up to 999 words)
One grand prize: $500
Two finalists: $250 each
Theme: see description above
Deadline: 5/1/2025
Entry Fee: $20 longform, $10 shortform
Length: longform 1,000-5,000 words. shortread up to 999 words.
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Deadline: 7/1/2025
The winner in each category will meet virtually with a top literary agent (and the final judge in their category) via Zoom. All entrants who opt for a critique—whether winners or not—will receive feedback on their submission from an experienced editor.
And all of our 2025 winners and finalists will be featured in the third edition of the WLT Inklist – a catalog of short pitches for all winners’ and finalists’ projects that will be shared with an extensive list of industry professionals (literary agents and book editors) in Fall 2026.
This unprecedented catalog of works-in-progress offers the gatekeepers of publishing an exclusive peek at our honorees’ projects. (If you’ve heard of the Hollywood Blacklist, it’s like that but for books!)
Best of all, you do NOT need to have a complete, finished manuscript to enter this contest. All you need are the first (roughly) ten pages of the manuscript plus a synopsis that describes the rest of the book you have planned.
Fiction Categories
• General Fiction (including Literary Fiction)
• Thriller/Action-Adventure
• Mystery
• Romance
• Science-Fiction/Fantasy
• Historical Fiction
Nonfiction Categories
• General Nonfiction (excluding Memoir)
• Memoir
Children’s Categories
• Middle Grade (chapter books and novels only; no picture books)
• Young Adult
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According to their website, "Duotrope is an established, award-winning resource for writers and artists. We help you save time finding publishers or literary agents, so you can focus on creating. Our publication and agent listings are up to date and full of information you won't find elsewhere. We also offer submission trackers, custom searches, deadline calendars, statistical reports, and extensive interviews."
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According to their website, "For writers, getting your work published and recognized is a step toward realizing your goals as an author. However, finding the right contests or publications can be a challenging and time consuming. Authors now have the opportunity to find and submit their writing to magazines, publishers, and contests through a website called Submittable."
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According to their website, "CaFÉ strives to make art opportunities available to all by offering arts organizations an affordable submission platform and artists an easy way to apply. CaFÉ has an open call for everyone, from competitions to public art calls, to art contests and more. Artists can create an artist portfolio for free and apply to various call listings. CaFÉ also hosts its own call for entry."
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According to their website, "For the Artist, Maker and (Forever) Inspired. Artists Network is with you every step of your art journey. Artists Network produces anywhere from three to five major events for visual art enthusiasts each year. We plan and produce different art-making getaways and retreats, art competitions, pop-up learn-ins, Paint Alongs, art talks and tours, and more in locations worldwide."
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Check out these classes and more at HWS in May!
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Demonstration by Holly Hunter Berry
(no workshop due to Memorial Day holiday)
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WHEN: May 9th, 10AM.
WHERE: Memorial Church of Christ, Family Center, Room 302, 900 Echo Lane, Houston, TX 77024
COST: free
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WHEN: May 18th, 1-4pm.
WHERE: Conroe Art League Studio. 127 Simonton St., Conroe, TX 77301.
COST: $50
Please register here.
If you've been wanting to enter the world of art, this class was designed with you in mind. Your instructor will introduce you to the beautiful medium of acrylic, as well as the materials and the process. Acrylics are fast-drying, water-soluble, affordable, and vibrant. This a wonderful medium for beginning painters. CAL will supply you with everything you need to complete your sunflower project, and you will go home with your painting and your supplies so that you can continue to paint.
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WHEN: Classes start throughout May
WHERE: Houston Center for Photography 1441 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006.
COST: Varies per class
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WHEN: Classes start throughout May
WHERE: ARDEST GALLERY, 25200 Grogan's Park Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77380.
COST: Varies per class.
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WRITESPACE is Houston's writing center. Founded in April of 2014, we are a grassroots literary arts organization founded by writers, for writers. At WRITESPACE, we support writers of all genres, including writers of literary fiction, poetry, science-fiction, fantasy, mystery, young adult, and other genres.
We offer weekly writing workshops, manuscript consultations, write-ins, open mics, socials, and more. In the spring of each year, we host a national literary festival, Writefest.
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- The Happy Hour: Making Yourself and Your Creative Practice a Priority
- The Amherst Way with Jessica Cole (Online Zoom)
- Writing from the Power of the Senses: Scents
- Overcoming through Writing
- The Contemporary Poetry Landscape
- Consistency Across a Draft: Fiction (Online Zoom)
- Art in the AM: Rosewood Enchantikal Cottage
- Beyond Truth and Fiction: Experiments & Expertise (Online Zoom)
- Beginner Class - Non-Fiction
- Endings are the Hardest Fight
- Unreliable narrators in Creative Non-Fiction (Online Zoom)
- First Draft Review: Memoir & Non-Fiction
- Self Publishing in 2025 (Online Zoom)
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The Houston Writers Guild is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization working to create a community of writers of all skill levels. Together we strive to improve our writing craft and help each other build successful careers through education, collaborative marketing efforts, and camaraderie.
The Guild offers a myriad of programs for both published and unpublished writers. It creates opportunities to build careers through networking, as well as, opportunities for author book sales throughout the Greater Houston area and neighboring communities. The Guild is also a place for hobbyist authors to enjoy writing in a relaxed and fun environment.
Critique Group
Writer's Room - several offerings
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Inprint envisions Houston, Texas as a city where the literary arts are a defining resource. Thousands of Houstonians, recognizing the value and impact of the written word, join in Inprint programs to write, read, and support the literary arts. The community is enriched by some of the nation’s top emerging writers, who study at the University of Houston Creative Writing Program and teach at Inprint and various local community centers, schools, and universities.
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The Ekphrastic Review is an online journal devoted entirely to writing inspired by visual art. Our objective is to promote ekphrastic writing, promote art appreciation, and experience how the two strengthen each other and bring enrichment to every facet of life. We want to inspire more ekphrastic writing and promote the best in ekphrasis far and wide.
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Edward Hopper is the most "ekphrasticized" artist, inspiring countless poets and storytellers with his enigmatic, cinematic vignettes of American life that feel like film stills.
Join us to discover more about Hopper's biography, work, and ideas, and to look at a wide variety of his paintings.
We will look at some poems after his art and find out about the ekphrastic resources made from his art.
We will use his paintings to inspire some creative writing of our own.
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The WRITER'S LEAGUE of TEXAS (WLT) is the largest literary arts organization in Texas, a statewide nonprofit offering programs and services to writers at all stages of their writing careers, from just getting started to publication and beyond.
Founded in 1981, the organization’s mission is to provide a forum for information, support, and sharing among writers; to help writers improve their craft and understand the business of publishing; to promote the interests of writers from diverse cultural, economic, sexual identity and orientation, ethnic, and religious backgrounds; and to elevate the art and enterprise of writing, including supporting and growing the Texas literary community at large.
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- “Creating Authentic Characters in Fiction” with John Pipkin May 3 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
- “Self-Representation in Memoir: Tools to Create Yourself” with Madeline Vosch May 14 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CDT
- May Third Thursday: “Real-World Stakes in Science Fiction and Fantasy” May 15 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CDT
- “Opening Pages in Fiction” with Antonio Ruiz-Camacho May 17 2025 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
- “The Essentials of Kidlit Craft” with Meg Eden Kuyatt May 21 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CDT
- WLT’s Big Writer Meet-up May 24 2025
- “Taming the Fire: Mapping Out Your Revision” with Charlotte Gullick May 28 2025 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM CDT
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The International Women’s Writing Guild (IWWG) is dedicated to building a worldwide community where storytelling connects, inspires, and uplifts voices across cultures. We celebrate the richness of diverse traditions, histories, and perspectives, recognizing that every writer contributes to the shared human experience.
All IWWG workshops are listed in ET (Eastern Time).
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TWO SYLVIAS PRESS is an independent press located in the Seattle area. We publish poetry, memoir, essays, books on the craft of writing, and creativity tools, such as The Poet Tarot, The Daily Poet, Everything is Writable, PR for Poets, Demystifying the Manuscript, and the bestselling resource for poets, The Weekly Muse.
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* Collaboration Catalogs Available! *
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We have another excellent collaboration on the books!
Each member who participated in the ENTANGLED Collaboration received a copy of the catalog containing all the artwork and literary pieces. Melody still has a limited supply of copies in her studio that you can purchase for $10.
In addition, you can also purchase additional copies of the REFLECTION catalog from the 2022 Collaboration for $5.
Stop by Studio 320 at Silver Street Studios to purchase additional copies of either catalog. Silver Street Studios is located in the Main Yard of Sawyer Yards. Call ahead at 713-851-0134 to ensure that she’ll be in the studio when you arrive.
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Remember to check the WiVLA Calendar for exciting events, such as field trips, studio visits, workshops, and other fun activities.
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Save the Date(s)
May 20th: Member Meeting. Check the WiVLA Calendar for details and updates.
June 8th: Intuitive Writing Workshop with Gwendolyn Womack at WriteSpace.
July 17th: "Rise" juried exhibition reception at Sabine
WILVA "Rise" Exhibit: July 18th - August 31st, 2025, at Sabine.
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WiVLA Needs Your Expertise
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Do you have special skills, talents or knowledge to share with other WiVLA members? Now is a good time to volunteer ~
- Serve on a committee
- Speak at a monthly meeting
- Lead a workshop.
- Be creative
Don't be shy. We have a lot to learn from each other.
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We'd love to celebrate your good news. If you are interested in sharing, please send your items to newsletter@wivla.org. The deadline for inclusion in the next month's newsletter is the 20th. Thank you.
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