Jennifer Breaux Howe
I was born in Charleston, SC, and always felt a strong connection to the coast. While I was in law school there, I walked by the same art gallery, Anglin Smith, on my way to and from work. I was always so inspired by the colorful landscapes that captured the beauty of the low country. After law school, I knew I would need a creative outlet and took painting lessons for six years. I tried over and over to paint the great works of the Smith artists and hung these pieces in my home or gave them to friends and family. But my love affair with art started at a young age. I was had numerous books on how to draw horses (my other passion as a young person) and would spend hours doodling at my desk and excelled in my high school art classes.
After practicing law full time for close to a decade, my life took a huge turn in 2015, with the birth of my second child, Ellie George. She had a rare birth defect, a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, that allowed all of her organs into her chest cavity which crushed her lungs and heart. She was given a 50/50 chance of survival. After a very rocky start, a long NICU stay, many surgeries and recoveries, she is thriving; however, I was struggling to manage my law practice, care for a sick child and combat the isolation that came with the whole experience. I started staying at home with my girls and painting during nap time - a wonderful therapy. I remember a particularly beautiful day when I took my paints outside. I was determined to not copy another artist, but paint just for myself. I fell in love with I created, and I’ve been exploring this feeling ever since.
The next big turn in my life came in 2021 with a move to Houston, Texas for my husband’s career. A familiar feeling of isolation, combined with home sickness overwhelmed me many days. I knew I wanted to focus on art in this new chapter and signed a lease at Sawyer Yards for an art studio in 2022 allowing me to be a part of this exciting and creative city. I also started showing at Round Top in 2022 and since that time my business has exploded.
I am so grateful for the collectors, friends, family, and strangers that have supported my small business. I have truly found my people and place in this big ole state of Texas and couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you to everyone that allows me to bring more beauty into your life and living with my art. It’s an honor.