Christmas at the Warehouse

Ann Ware

Searcy Arkansas

Ann is a retired business teacher turned artist. After forty years in the classroom (thirteen in Des Arc), she turned in her grade book and picked up a paintbrush. “Initially, I wanted to paint a few Christmas items for myself and maybe a few gifts. It’s turned into a lot more than that! I paint because it brings me joy. And my goal is to bring joy to others through my paintings.”

Ms. Ware’s art celebrates other seasons as well with lots of flower paintings in the spring and summer and pumpkins in the fall. In between you’ll find owls, wild animals, quilt blocks, and lots more. Her paintings are available at The Artistry in Searcy. You can also find her on Facebook at Annie’s WareHouse.

Ellen Hobgood

Heber Springs Arkansas

Ellen is a professional artist from Heber Springs, AR. Her 20-year-old gallery/gift store is located on Courthouse Square and also serves as a working studio. Ellen teaches children and adults in private lessons as well as paint parties for the public. Highlights of her career include being the chosen Christmas Card artist for AR Children’s Hospital at three different times; conducting a paint party for 70 people at one time at a local church; being the Featured Artist for local charity events in Little Rock including the Alzheimer Association event 4 years in a row.

Epic sunsets and unique wildlife paintings including bear, blue heron, deer, and fox are some of Ellen’s specialties that have been shipped over 50 states. Ellen’s signature works are one-of-a-kind, Classic Santa Claus paintings and handpainted Christmas ornaments: each one designed, dated, and sealed in its’ own gift box. These holiday treasures have traveled all over the world. A versatile palette and extraordinary eye for color value and hue have placed Ellen Hobgood’s work in distinction.

Kathy King

Magnolia Arkansas

Kathy is a painter who loves Christmas and loves to decorate with her own artwork. She usually waits until the tree is up and everything is decorated and wrapped then she will find the time and inspiration to paint something new each year. She changes out her artwork seasonally and Christmas is no exception. Her first Christmas painting, several years ago, was of the shepherds looking out over Bethlehem and the star. It was so large that it spent more time at a local bank than at my home. I have done some more home-sized versions for this VIP event. Her second painting was of the Three Kings in a very colorful and whimsical style. The 30x40” size is her favorite to put behind the tree and the kings represent Europe, Africa, and America coming to show respect to the Christ child. Another favorite painting is of the Holy Family showing Joseph with a worried look called “Joseph’s Big Responsibility.” The barn painting is her own backyard “party barn” dressed up for Christmas and is her husband's favorite. The donkey carrying presents was done for her aunt and uncle after a special trip together to Mexico. The Santa was done for a friend from a snapshot she took of the Macy's Christmas Parade Santa in New York. Her most recent painting is of an angel. Her daughter says she looks like Beyoncé which is just an awesome coincidence. She hopes to have several sizes of limited edition high-quality prints available of each of these paintings and an order form available if the size you want is sold out. She hopes if you buy one of her prints that it will become a keepsake that will brighten your walls every year! Merry Christmas from Kathy King

Barbara Huntsman

Searcy Arkansas

Barbara taught art for 27 years at White County Central Schools where she created the elementary art program and the gifted and talented program. She promoted the talents of her students, supporting them in their art shows and providing experiences for them to grow as artists. She and her husband traveled the country for 20 years participating in art shows, festivals, and craft fairs.