Ozark artist Ellen Hobgood paints
outside her gallery/studio in Heber Springs, Arkansas
whenever the weather is nice enough. When it is
warm enough she sheds her shoes and paints barefoot
outside her gallery. She says “I become
grounded with the earth by shedding my shoes.
And besides I track less paint around.”
Ellen started drawing at the age
of five to illustrate bible stories told in church.
She developed and nurtured an early love of the
magic of Christmas. At 15 she began selling her
work to pay for art supplies and art classes.
After studying under local artist Glynda Turley,
Ellen later worked with Turley for eleven years,
before branching out on her own to do murals in
local homes and businesses.
In the last 10-15 years Ellen’s
reputation as the Santa Claus painter has spread
far and wide. She has appeared on television and
also been featured in magazines such as Southern
Living and Life In the Ozarks. Her Santa Claus
paintings are beloved and collected by people
of all ages. Ellen also paints beautiful commission
portraits and landscapes. Her work has become
renowned throughout the Ozarks and beyond, and
can be found in private collections all over the
USA.
Ellen Hobgood truly embodies
the Christmas spirit of giving as she has donated
paintings to several charities such as The American
Heart Association, Center for Youth and Families,
Childrens Hospital, and many others.
