 See "Chloe" and other Portraits & Figures. This article originally appeared in the Free Lance-Star on January 26, 2005. "The Deal" - Free Lance-Star Business profile 
Ellen Worthy Stokes, Age 56Self-employed professional commission artist and owner of Worthy Fine Art, where she designs one-of-a-kind art pieces for individuals and businessess. She works out of her downtown Fredericksburg home. BY PORTSIA SMITH Date published: 1/26/2005 THE FREE LANCE-STAR http://www.fredericksburg.com EDUCATION Associate's art degree in speech and drama, Virgina Intermont College; Bachelor's degree in elementary education and art education, University of Georgia; Masater's degree in art education, University of Georgia. FAMILY Husband Jerry; three children, Worth, 24, and twin sons Kirk and Shore, 22. CAREER HISTORY Art educator, Denver, Colo; art teacher, Aylett Country Day School; art teacher, Fredericksburg Academy. HOW DID YOU END UP BEING A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST? It was suggested by Oliver Coleman, who was my art teacher at the University of Georgia. WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS IS CHANGING THE MOST? The complexity of my work is growing. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST DIFFICULT SITUATION FACED ON THE JOB? Conceptualizing for my clients. WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? Creating work that is exactly what my client wanted, or when a client says, "You read my mind." WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? The variety of art I get to produce and the people I get to work with. WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I'd like to travel more and produce my work internationally. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BUSINESS BOOK? "Art Marketing Handbook: Art Marketing in the 21st Century" by Calvin Goodman. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? It's a tossup between Italy and South Africa. FAVORITE BINGE FOOD? Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPACE TIME? If I have any spare time, I find myself reading and researching art history. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? An actress. WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Carrollton, Ga. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUT? Who's got time to hang out? WHAT DO YOU WEAR TO WORK? Overalls and T-shirts because I get paint on everything. WHAT'S THE CLOSEST YOU'VE COME TO A BRUSH WITH A CELEBRITY? I attended a gathering that included Bill Clinton and Al Gore. I was also introduced to Cesar Chavez 30 years ago. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM? My children's sports team. IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS JOB, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING? Teaching art. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIE OTHERS TRYING TO ENTER THIS FIELD? Earn a degree in graphic arts. WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? I would love to be the first glitter artist to hang in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. |