Artist Statement
Thea Fotiu Howell
Thea is Greek-American and is of the first generation in her family to be born in the Unites States. Her extensive travel around the world has allowed her to view many works of art and environments. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Arts from the State University of New York at Oneonta and also studied fine art at Hartwick College and Russell Sage College in New York. Her work has received several awards and recognition, including her poetry writing. She is the former operator and artist of Thea’s Galleria of New York, and was the Arts Director for a large-scale public art program in Raleigh. She is now the owner and artist of Electric Art Market, LLC, working as a fine artist and arts instructor. She resides in Raleigh with her husband Neal.
Artist Statement:
My multi-cultural family experiences are at the center of my work. I explore my Greek-American heritage using modern and ancient archetypes, working to bridge a connection between both the odd and mundane aspects of a blended culture and environment as I am drawn to a narrative. Details in subjects and environments are important to my work, whether in a landscape or still life. There is always a strong desire for me to explore science, psychology, literature, and religion through my work. Often these serve as “adornments” to the subjects in my work, other times they are the main subject from which all other storytelling evolves. My paintings are what I like to call “studies.”
