Early Success and Bold Artistic Choices

Growing up, Howard was in countless art competitions. Winning the majority of them, even in competitions where she submitted pieces that she wasn't wholly pleased with. It started to make her think winning could be becoming a privilege, simply because she had won so much. The truth was, some of the concepts presented in Howard's work were extremely strong, bold, and forward-thinking.

"I actually portrayed a baby in a mother's womb holding a cigarette," said Howard, a Callaway High School and Atlanta College of Art graduate. "It was pretty bold for a kid, and it predated a lot of studies, as far as the subject matter goes. There was even a tombstone, and it was in black and white only. Considering all of the mediums that I use, as I look back on it, I'm still curious as to why I chose black and white."

Even today, she questions the piece, but it was a moment in time that defined how she created moving forward. Although she wasn't sure if it was her best work at the moment, it was still a thought-provoking piece. Her intensity only grew over the years, and in true Howard fashion, she continues to present pieces that seem boundless, reach into the future, and, of course, win competitions.

Message-Driven Art Across Multiple Mediums

"There's a type of concept that happens in the creation of my pieces," said Howard, who thrives using multiple mediums, including paper, wood, metal, and glass. "Outside of where I think my personal best is, there's a message that needs to come out, and if that message is conveyed, the piece works regardless."

Since Howard could hold a paint brush, her art has always been about telling a story. Point to a canvas she painted at any time in her past, and she can tell you where she was and what was transpiring in her life, and walk through the details like pages in a book. Some of those stories are more difficult to revisit than others.

Life's Peaks and Valleys Reflected in Her Work

In a very short period of time, Howard lost her husband in a tragic car accident, gave birth to their second son, and lost her mother-in-law. Years later, she found love again, was engaged, and brought two more children into the world. In the peaks and valleys of her life, she has made several transitions, holding prominent positions in illustration, graphic design, web master, and live painting.

"I wouldn't say that our technique changes that much, but our experiences, regardless of what medium you choose," said Howard, a multifaceted artist known for her acrylic paintings and murals. "We still produce what we would have in our younger lives. There's a particular style that shows up profoundly. Being an artist is intertwined with your very existence. It's who you are."

Creating Jackson Murals with Repurposed Materials

Eventually, Howard took a leap of faith and quit a graphic design position to paint full-time. Being a painter isn't the cheapest profession, and Howard often couldn't spring to purchase new canvas and materials to meet the requirements of every competition and expo. A lot of her masterpieces were created from repurposed boards in an effort to make the sizes she needed with canvas that had been lightly used. Covering and smoothing the old image, then repainting it for a layered look, she is known for.

"Some people like a smooth canvas," Howard said. "So when people call for commissioned work, I always make sure they have seen my work. I want them to know it's going to be a heavy texture. It's going to be dips and points, mountains of paint. It's going to be a lot going on in that painting."