Cecile Houel is a French-American artist who dedicates her life to her Art, always pushing technical limits but still staying true to her own artistic identity.Her fascination for Humanity transpires in her paintings.

Artist Statement

Art appears when reality is magically transformed into our own Truth. The unanimous feeling it can offer to the viewers is a powerful emotion both intellectual and physical … I use all mediums in order to achieve the best effects while I am at my easel. Often, the subject will dictate the appropriate medium. I am always working on different projects.

The Nobel Peace Prize Project : I have the ambition to paint all the Nobel Peace prize laureates so a collection at the end of about 150 portraits. They are 4 feet by 4 feet in Oil and very realistic although very free of interpretation in the composition. It is an ongoing work for the next 10 years. -

The God’s Feet Project : I started in 2016 after moving in my new very large studio in Iowa this mural project depicting my spiritual inspiration in canvases as large as 10 feet by 14 feet as well as untraditional and very contemporary sculptures. No limitation of size or medium, just the necessity to express freely my visions, all crystal clear and noted on a book before creating.

I also became a driftwood sculptor as my studio is just at a walking distance and provide me wonders to work with daily. I live the full life of an artist in the bliss and mystery of the instant that brings ecstasy and astonishment. That’s how I grow with an open mind and heart to the whispers of inspiration. I consider having a mission to accomplish through my art: “Celebrate creativity for it brings together humanity in curiosity, comprehension, astonishment, awareness, love

Education

1987 - 1989 : Art History Studies in Paris at the Ecole du Louvre.

1990 - 1994 : Drawing studies of nude models at the Ateliers de la ville de Paris (ink, acrylic, charcoal, pencil).

2000 - 2002 : Intense practice of Pastel technique with Alain Victor, great french Master Pastellist.

Professional Organizations & Activities

• Signature Member of Pastel Society of America.
• Member of La Société des Pastellistes de France.
• Member of the Portrait Society of America.
• Member of the Iowa Pastel Society.

Cecile received numerous awards in the past 10 years, the most prestigious including:

• Sennelier award, first prize with Art du Pastel en France in 2022
• Pastel Society of America award, Second prize with Art du Pastel en France

in 2023

• Pastel Society of America award, Second prize with Art du Pastel en France in 2008
• She became a signature member of the Pastel Society of America in 2010
• She has paintings in numerous private and public collections in France and USA
• She is the author of a demonstrational DVD, “Portraiture in Pastel”