People always ask, "How did Ella get started with her art?" Well this page shares the journey. But first a few recent milestones...
Youngest Artist to Ever Have Work in Art in Public Places Program
At the age of 9, in 2022, Ella became the youngest ever member of Brevard Cultural Alliance, as well as the youngest to ever have artwork juried and approved for the Art in Public Places program. Several of her original works displayed at the government center, and then moved to Holmes Regional Medical Center — the hospital where she was born!
In her first gallery!
Ella Grace Helton shows her art notecards on display for sale at Eau Gallery in Melbourne, FL.
Thank you to Eau Gallery in the Eau Gallie historic arts district of Melbourne, FL for welcoming their first child artist in 2022. A serendipitous visit resulted in the invite. We happened to park across the street to get some art supplies, and after noticing the gallery, Mom decided to venture inside to ask if they knew of any galleries or programs that welcomed kid artists. She showed some of Ella's notecards she had on hand, and that was enough — Ella was invited to begin her first gallery relationship.
The gallery has a selection of Ella's notecards for sale, while prints, commissions and other merchandise are available at her online art store, just click here.
The gallery has a selection of Ella's notecards for sale, while prints, commissions and other merchandise are available at her online art store, just click here.
Everyone asks: "How did Ella get started in art?"
Let's scroll through Ella's child artist history...
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Ella started fine art classes in 2019, at age 6, while in Los Angeles shooting her ABC sitcom "United We Fall." As a child actress series regular appearing in each episode of the show, she kept a regular Monday-Friday schedule of schooling on set and working.
But she still indulged in life as a kid outside of acting, with play dates, plenty of outdoor activities like hiking, and also enrolled in Krav Maga (martial arts) and art classes. Here she is at her first art class, learning to draw the bunny example on the left. In her time there, she worked with colored pencils, markers and water colors. |
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We returned to Los Angeles for a few months in 2020, where Ella celebrated with friends at her fun 7th birthday party — the day before everything started shutting down for the pandemic. Before that drastic change in all our lives in early March 2020, she switched to a different in-person fine-art program that introduced her to pastels.
These photos show her warming up with a charcoal pencil at her art bench and holding her first pastel drawing — a butterfly.
These photos show her warming up with a charcoal pencil at her art bench and holding her first pastel drawing — a butterfly.
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Thankfully the fine-art program switched to offering virtual classes during the pandemic. Ella completed many pastel drawings and moved on to water color painting, but always felt pulled back to cover those fingers with pastel dust.
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When Ella was ready for more than the structure of the online program could offer, the art gods smiled and allowed her to connect with the absolute perfect match of an art teacher. Deb Pettigrew is a pet portrait artist who also has private instruction students and teaches art to seniors. She and Ella are kindred spirits, and Deb immediately elevated Ella's pastel skills.
Deb introduced Ella to the best quality materials (Ella even named one of her pet mice Schmincke after the top pastel brand), and each lesson is rich with new techniques. In addition to learning quickly, Ella showed an aptitude for using color. Deb literally wrote the book on color, you can learn more about her book "Color With a Twist, Understanding the Science of Color for Artists" at her website: pastelsbydeb.com
What Deb offers Ella is the perfect example of what one might call the lost art of apprenticeship. She and Ella sit side-by-side, the student learning from the teacher in devoted, focused creation. The right tools, materials, teacher and nurturing environment allow the artist to see, express and grow. It's amazing to watch Ella's pastel drawings come to life!
Just like Ella's instructors in ballroom dancing, piano, guitar and voice, she is learning from wonderful people who understand her artistic soul and passions. Plus, Ella is homeschooled, which we started due to her travel for acting, but soon realized was the greatest asset in allowing her time to experience the arts in the manner that she does.
Deb introduced Ella to the best quality materials (Ella even named one of her pet mice Schmincke after the top pastel brand), and each lesson is rich with new techniques. In addition to learning quickly, Ella showed an aptitude for using color. Deb literally wrote the book on color, you can learn more about her book "Color With a Twist, Understanding the Science of Color for Artists" at her website: pastelsbydeb.com
What Deb offers Ella is the perfect example of what one might call the lost art of apprenticeship. She and Ella sit side-by-side, the student learning from the teacher in devoted, focused creation. The right tools, materials, teacher and nurturing environment allow the artist to see, express and grow. It's amazing to watch Ella's pastel drawings come to life!
Just like Ella's instructors in ballroom dancing, piano, guitar and voice, she is learning from wonderful people who understand her artistic soul and passions. Plus, Ella is homeschooled, which we started due to her travel for acting, but soon realized was the greatest asset in allowing her time to experience the arts in the manner that she does.
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Ella started selling Ella Bella Beads bracelets at farmers markets at age 5. (Click here to see the commercial with Derek Jeter that features Ella's entrepreneurship and philanthropy). She started selling prints and notecards of her artwork at the markets alongside her beads when she was 8, before meeting Deb. We could unofficially call Ella's early drawings the "first phase" of her art journey. Many people still purchase those first phase prints, loving Ella's unique expression as a child artist.
Gallery of Ella making her early pastel art
These were on smooth newsprint, the first surface on which Ella learned pastels.
Those early prints were done on smooth newsprint. Once she entered the "second phase" of her pastel journey, Ella started using proper pastel paper and the best brands of pastels — some sticks and some pencils. Deb introduced Ella to Schmincke, Derwent, Nu and Unison pastels, and all the amazing ways to use them. She then moved to Ampersand pastel bords (that's how they spell it, without the a) — a high-end thick board with a surface that feels like ultra-fine grit sand paper. It allows for endless layering and soaks up the pigments. It's amazing to see the difference in Ella's work now on the boards vs the former paper.
These images are of Ella with her most recent drawings, all with pastel.
Ella's artivism path (art + activism = artivism)
Ella has always been overflowing with extreme empathy. She says she wants to become president so she can implement her plans to eradicate homelessness, eliminate litter and otherwise help people, animals and the environment.
Since the age of 4, in 2017, Ella has been selling bead bracelets as her own business, Ella Bella Beads. It started as a fundraiser and evolved into regular giving and packing of food for hungry children in her community. Her efforts were highlighted in a commercial with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. You can watch it here.
At age 8, Ella began selling her artwork and formulating plans to continue her legacy of giving back — this time supporting organizations that empower youth ambassadors to educate and prompt change around the pressing issues facing Earth. Ella wants to combine her love of art with her disdain for litter and pollution to raise awareness and lift spirits. Stay tuned for more details.
Ella graduated Ocean Heroes Networks' boot camp as an Ocean Hero in June 2021. She was among youth from around the globe learning about their power to educate and affect change through grass-roots campaigns. That's where Ella learned about ARTIVISM — using art as activism, and realized she can mix her love of fine art with her detest for litter and waste as she formulates her environmental campaign.
The organization rebranded as Planeteer Alliance HQ, and is backed by Captain Planet Foundation. She looks forward to continuing to learn from and network with the Planeteer Alliance, plus build relationships locally to find her path through artivism. This young artist and visionary is just starting to put her passions to work.
Since the age of 4, in 2017, Ella has been selling bead bracelets as her own business, Ella Bella Beads. It started as a fundraiser and evolved into regular giving and packing of food for hungry children in her community. Her efforts were highlighted in a commercial with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. You can watch it here.
At age 8, Ella began selling her artwork and formulating plans to continue her legacy of giving back — this time supporting organizations that empower youth ambassadors to educate and prompt change around the pressing issues facing Earth. Ella wants to combine her love of art with her disdain for litter and pollution to raise awareness and lift spirits. Stay tuned for more details.
Ella graduated Ocean Heroes Networks' boot camp as an Ocean Hero in June 2021. She was among youth from around the globe learning about their power to educate and affect change through grass-roots campaigns. That's where Ella learned about ARTIVISM — using art as activism, and realized she can mix her love of fine art with her detest for litter and waste as she formulates her environmental campaign.
The organization rebranded as Planeteer Alliance HQ, and is backed by Captain Planet Foundation. She looks forward to continuing to learn from and network with the Planeteer Alliance, plus build relationships locally to find her path through artivism. This young artist and visionary is just starting to put her passions to work.
Selling in person
RETAIL LOCATION
Ella Bella Beads jewelry and Ella's art prints, notecards, bookmarks and select merchandise are available at B and B Candles & Soaps, an awesome store in Historic Cocoa Village, FL that showcases artisans. The address is 105 Brevard Ave, Cocoa, FL 32922, across from Trust Bank.
Ella enjoys meeting art fans and signing her work during select Sip N Stroll events throughout the year in Cocoa Village.
Stay tuned to Ella's social media for announcements on any local signing events:
Ella enjoys meeting art fans and signing her work during select Sip N Stroll events throughout the year in Cocoa Village.
Stay tuned to Ella's social media for announcements on any local signing events:
FARMERS MARKETS
Ella debuted her art prints and notecards at local farmers markets and craft fairs at the end of 2021. She's been pleasantly overwhelmed with the support of those purchasing her prints and ordering commissions. At the end of 2022, Ella moved away from regular farmers markets and is building out a deep online art store.
Any future market appearances will be announced on Instagram @adventuresofellagrace and on Facebook
Any future market appearances will be announced on Instagram @adventuresofellagrace and on Facebook
Online art store
It seems every single day, we are adding cool useful new merch to Ella's art shop. Click here to jump to that section of Ella's website!
In addition to limited edition prints, notecards and bookmarks that we ship from home, you can now have your favorite Ella artwork printed on mugs, water bottles, tumblers, backpacks, blankets, laptop cases, mouse pads, socks, phone cases, tote bags... and more to come.
In addition to limited edition prints, notecards and bookmarks that we ship from home, you can now have your favorite Ella artwork printed on mugs, water bottles, tumblers, backpacks, blankets, laptop cases, mouse pads, socks, phone cases, tote bags... and more to come.
Gallery: Prep & selling at markets
The future...
"The Planeteer Alliance is a global network of young people who are putting their passion and impatience for change into action for the planet."
— Planeteer Alliance