About Emily

Biography

 




Artist
    


Educator


Emily Nell marches to the beat of her own drum as she shares her stories and heritage within her paintings.  Her paper cuts with watercolor are unique and fanciful, combining the traditions of Folk- Art with the contemporary; some of her favorite things.

She grew up with a paintbrush in her hand and linseed oil in her nose hairs.  Her parents gave her an oil paint set when she was eight.  Self-education is an integral component to the evolution of Emily’s artwork.  As an artist she has created paintings for corporate and private collectors as well as solo & group exhibits. 

She recently completed her demonstrations and one-person exhibit, “Paper Cutting; Past and Present” at the Denver Art Museum.  As the featured 3-D artist in May 2018 and December 2017, Emily received wonderful response for her work and interactions with the public. 

In November 2017, Emily exhibited her Centripetal Satire series in the Canyon gallery of the Boulder Public Library in Boulder CO. In June 2017 she was awarded 2nd place in mixed media at the Pekin Days Art Show in Pekin ND.  In April 2017, her works were represented in the “Divine” exhibit of the Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs CO.  She shows at art festivals such as Sedona AZ  and Jackson Hole WY. Her work is annually represented and sold during museum benefit auctions such as the following Montana museums; Missoula, Holter of Helena, Paris Gibson Square of Great Falls and the Yellowstone of Billings. 

In 2015, her one-person exhibit, “Wonder and Whimsy,” of 25 paper cuts with watercolor, were on display at the Atrium Gallery in the Bozeman Library (January & February).  Emily partnered with schools and provided her visual art programs.  In addition, she welcomed them to the library for a treasure hunt.  Giving the students clues, they searched for the answers waiting for them on interpretations which hung by each piece.  In 2013 she had a one-person interactive exhibit at the Paris Gibson Square Museum titled, “The Many Charms of Nature, Chust Fer Fancy”.

In July 2013 she was awarded first place in mixed media at the Pekin Days Art Show in Pekin ND and was invited to show at the Danforth Gallery’s group exhibit, “Wild Life” in Livingston MT.  In 2011 Emily was a featured alumnus at Messiah College, recognized for her achievements and diligence within her profession.  She has a BS Certificate of Teaching (K-6), from Messiah College in Grantham PA. 

As an educator Emily provides visual art programs to K-12 students with her visual art workshops such as “Dreamin’, Fraktur, Folk-Art for the Fancy” and “Animals Inside”.  She creates curriculum for school requests and has formed an amazing partnership with Arrowhead Public Schools of Pray MT.  In 2014-2015 she provided a four-week Creative Writing and Illustration Unit.  For the finale’ she led a community event, hosting E.B. Lewis, the Caldecott Award winning children’s book illustrator whom she met during an SCBWI Conference in NYC, made possible by MAC’s Strategic Investment grant. 


Gas Guzzler; Where the mountains meet


Near is the Night
 
Education

B.S., Elementary Education, Messiah College, Grantham, PA

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Experience
  • Artist, Promotional Director and Co-Owner of Black Pinto Horse Fine Arts, Fine Arts and Educational Consulting Business, United States, 2018-2005
  • Art Teacher, K-6, Great Falls Public Schools, Great Falls MT, 2007- 2008
  • Summer School, Sweet Water and Prairie View Elementary, Devils Lake ND, 2005
  • Substitute, Sweet Water, Prairie View and Minnie H Elementaries, Devils Lake ND, 2005
  • Classroom teacher, Grade 3, Four Winds Elementary, Fort Totten ND, 2003- 2004
  • Science Fair Tutor, Four Winds Elementary, Fort Totten ND, 2003
  • Classroom teacher, Grade 5, Four Winds Elementary, Fort Totten ND, 2002- 2003
  • Librarian, K-6, Line Mountain Elementary, Treverton PA
  • Home-Based Behavioral Support/ Habilitative Personal Care- Giver, Riverside Associates Psychology Clinic, Harrisburg PA
  • Personal Care Aid, Keystone Residence, Harrisburg PA

     

    Art Council Roster of Artists

  • Represented with North Dakota, Montana & Perry County- Pennsylvania
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Awards
  • 3rd Place, Mixed Media, Nelson County Art show, Pekin ND, August 2017
  • 1st Place, North American Butterfly Association Contest, Fall/ Winter Magazine, 2013
  • 1st Place, Mixed Media, Nelson County Art show, Pekin ND, August 2013
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Commissions
  • Corporate Collector, Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital, Rock Rapids IA, 2018
  • Corporate Collector, Avera Helmsley Center, St. Mary's Hospital, Pierre SD, 2018
  • The Joy of Family, Private Collector, Loyalton PA, 2016
  • Corporate Collector, Jamestown Regional Hospital, Jamestown ND, 2014
  • Illuminated by Moon-glow, personal collector, Philadelphia PA, December 2013
  • In Thy Ways, personal collector, Millersburg PA, August 2008
  • Carrousel, Fargo ND, 2006
  • Grandpa's Boy, Devils Lake ND, 2004

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Exhibitions and Art Shows
  • Paper That Pops, 3-D paper cutting demonstrations and exhibit, Denver Art Museum, May 2018
  • Paper That Pops, 3-D paper cutting demonstrations and exhibit, Denver Art Museum, December 27- January 4, 2018
  • Children’s Book Illustration Exhibit, Canyon Gallery, Boulder Public Library, November 2017
  • 53rd Jamestown Fine Art Association Show, August -October 2017
  • True West Gallery, Santa Fe NM, exhibit and demonstration, July 29-30, 2017
  • Jackson Hole Art Show, Jackson WY, July 2017
  • Visiting Artist, Grand Teton National Park, July 11-17, 2017
  • Nelson County Art Show, Pekin ND, June 2017
  • “Divine” exhibit, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Colorado Springs, April 2017
  • Yellowstone Art Museum Benefit Auction, Billings MT, March 2017
  • Folk Art exhibit, Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Colorado Springs, November 2016
  • Sedona Festival of the Arts, Sedona AZ, October 2016
  • Jackson Hole Art Show, Jackson WY, July 2016
  • 22nd Annual Holter Museum Benefit Auction, Helena MT, June 2016
  • Yellowstone Art Museum Benefit Auction, Billings MT, March 2016
  • Christmas Bazar, Holter Museum, Helena MT, November 2015-January 2016
  • Art Show, Woodland Park CO, August 2015
  • 21st Annual Holter Museum Benefit Auction, Helena MT, June 2015
  • Yellowstone Art Museum Benefit Auction, Billings MT, March 2015
  • Wonder and Whimsy one-person exhibit, Atrium Gallery, Bozeman Public Library, Bozeman MT, January-February 2015
  • Holiday Showcase, Holter Museum, Helena MT, December 2014
  • Havre Art Show, Havre MT, November 2014
  • Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Bozeman MT Regional Conference, Illustrations exhibited during Portfolio Showcase, September 2014
  • Featured Artist, Frame Garden, Livingston MT, August-September 2014
  • Big Fork Art Show, Big Fork MT, August 2014
  • Yellowstone Art Museum Benefit Auction, Billings MT, March 2014
  • Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), New York City Conference, Illustrations exhibited during Portfolio Showcase, February 23-26, 2013
  • The Many Charms of Nature; Chust fer fancy, one-person exhibit, Paris Gibson Square Museum, September- December 30, 2013
  • The “Wild Life” Group Exhibition, Danforth Gallery, Livingston MT, August – September 2013
  • Pekin Days Art Show, Nelson County Arts Council, Pekin ND June 2013
  • “Centripetal Satires”, two-person exhibit, Art Center, Jamestown ND, May 2013
  • Riverfront Arts Festival, Harrisburg PA, May 2013
  • Missoula Art Museum Benefit Auction, Missoula MT, Winter 2013
  • Paris Gibson Art Auction, Great Falls MT, Winter 2013
  • National MT Watercolor Society Juried Show, Big Fork Museum, Big Fork MT, October 2012
  • Big West Art Festival, Sheridan WY, August 2012
  • National Juried Show, Lancaster County Art Association, Strasburg PA, June 10 –July 19 2012
  • 19th Annual Holter Museum Benefit Auction, Helena MT, June 2012
  • Jay Contway Western Art Show, Great Falls MT, March 2012
  • Art Auction, Paris Gibson Square Museum, Great Falls MT, January 2012
  • Big West Art Festival, Sheridan WY, August 2011
  • 18th Annual Holter Museum Benefit Auction, Helena MT, June 2011
  • Yellowstone Art Museum Benefit Auction, Billings MT, March 2010
  • 17th Annual Holter Museum Benefit Auction, Helena MT, June 2010
  • Art Auction, Paris Gibson Square Museum, Great Falls MT, January 2010
  • Big West Art Festival, Sheridan WY, August 2009
  • 16th Annual Holter Museum Benefit Auction, Helena MT, June 2009
    NCAC Winter Benefit, Pekin ND February 2009
  • Impressions De Provence, Art Auction, Paris Gibson Square Museum, Great Falls MT, January 2009
  • Teachers Show, Paris Gibson Square Museum, Great Falls MT, May- August 2008
  • James Memorial Center for the Visual Arts, Cultural Festival, Williston ND, October 2008
  • James Memorial Center for the Visual Arts, Cultural Festival fundraising event, Williston ND October 2007
  • NCAC Summer Art Show, Pekin ND August 2007
  • NCAC Winter art auction, donated Harmony, Pekin ND, February 2007
  • Mother Nature, a Woman's Perspective, Art Show, Heritage Hjemkomst, Moorhead MN, October 2006
  • Easter Seals Auction Event, donated Protection and Security, Sheridan WY, August 2006
  • Art Center Spring Art Show, Jamestown ND, 2006
  • NCAC, Nelson County Arts Council Winter Art Auction, collaboration with Black Pinto Horse, donated an embellished buffalo, Pekin ND, 2006

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Publications
  • Former UDA Grad Brings Message of Dreamin’; Artist in Residence at Upper Dauphin Area School, Upper Dauphin Sentinel, January 4 2017
  • Featured article, pg. 23, j b Creative Magazine, Colorado Springs CO, Fall 2015
  • Famed Illustrator Visits Arrowhead, Livingston Enterprise, May 2015
  • Nell Yellow Bird Exhibit Coming to the Bozeman Library, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, December 16, 2014
  • Artist Returns to Folk Art, Makes it Her Own, Livingston Enterprise, September 18, 2014, http://www.livingstonenterprise.com/content/artist-returns-folk-art-makes-it-her-own?cookie_check=1
  • Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art's 17th Annual Art Auction, "Style, Form and Color", The Best of Great Falls, pg. 34, Winter 2013
  • Paris Gibson Square Museum Opening Two New Exhibits, KFBB ABC/ Fox News, Great Falls MT, September 19, 2013, to watch video click on link, http://www.kfbb.com/story/23480506/paris-gibson-square-museum-of-art-opening-two-new-exhibits
  • Touched By Montana: New exhibits at Paris Gibson Square show vast contrast between artists, Great Falls Tribune, October 4, 2013, http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013310040012
  • “Emily Nell Yellow Bird, The Many Charms of Nature; Chust fer fancy”, State of the Arts, Montana Arts Council newsletter, November/ December 2013, pg. 19
  • Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Two New Exhibitions Opening, The Best of Great Falls, pg. 31, Fall 2013
  • Couple Shares Talents with Elementary Students, Hot Springs Star, January 29, 2013
  • Award Winning Artist Settles in Wilsall, The Livingston Enterprise, Livingston MT, January 4, 2013
  • Frazer Schools to Feature Native Artist in Visual Art Workshops, Fort Peck Journal, November 10, 2011
  • Frazer Awaits Inspirational Artist, Glasgow Courier, November 10, 2011
  • SLE: Personal Discoveries and Development Through Visual Art Workshops, Seeley Swan Pathfinder, April 2011
  • “Yellow Bird to Serve as Artist in Residence at UDA”, The Upper Dauphin Sentinel, Elizabethville, PA, January 2008
  • Celebrate Everyone's History", The Upper Dauphin Sentinel, Elizabethville PA, March 2007
 
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Educational Programs
  • Flowers Up-Close and Personal, Line Mountain 4th Grade, Treverton PA, May 2018
  • Dreamin’ Artist in Residence, Upper Dauphin Middle and Elementary Schools, Loyalton PA, December 2016
  • Poetry Unit, 4 week-long sessions(quarterly), Arrowhead Elementary, 2016, Pray MT
  • Poetry Unit, Artist in Residence, Gardiner Elementary, Gardiner MT January 2016,
  • Dreamin’ Artist in Residence, Havre Middle School, Havre MT, November 2015
  • Illustration and Creative Writing Artist in Residence, Ovando Elementary, April 2015, Ovando MT
  • Illustration and Creative Writing Unit, 4 week-long sessions(quarterly), Arrowhead Elementary, 2015, Pray MT
  • Flowers Up Close and Personal Artist in Residence, Arrowhead Elementary, April 2014, Pray MT
  • Artist in Residence, K-6, St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bismarck ND, March 2014
  • Artist in Residence, 3-5, Livingston MT, January 2014
  • Artist in Residence, K-12, South Dakota School for the Blind, September 2013
  • Artist in Residence, K-12, St. Francis SD, April 2013
  • Artist in Residence, K-5, Hot Springs SD, January 2013
  • Artist in Residence, K-12, Sheridan Public Schools, Sheridan MT, October 2012
  • Artist in Residence, K-5, Greenfield Public Schools, Fairfield MT, September 2012
  • Artist in Residence, visual art summer program, Lake Andes SD, August 2012
  • Artist in Residence, 4-5 Jefferson Elementary, Helena MT, April 2012
  • Artist in Residence, K-12, Cascade Public School, Cascade MT, January 2012
  • Workshop, Warrior Shields, Bonner Elementary School, Bonner MT, January 2012
  • Artist in Residence, K-12, Frazer School District, Frazer MT, November 2011
  • Artist in Residence, K-5, Hot Springs Elementary, Hot Springs SD, October 2011
  • Artist in Residence, K-12, Centerville MT, September 2011
  • Workshop, Flowers Up Close and Personal, K-8, Ovando School, May 2011
  • Artist in Residence, K-8, Seeley Lake Elementary, Seeley Lake MT, May 2011
  • Artist in Residence, 7-8, Dillon Middle School, Dillon MT, April 2011
  • Artist in Residence, 3-5, Lincoln Elementary, Glendive MT, April 2011
  • Artist in Residence, K-8, East Fairview Elementary, Fairview ND, March 2011
  • Artist in Residence, K-5, Knollwood Heights Elementary, Rapid City SD, February 2011
  • Artist in Residence, 1-8, St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlin SD, December 2010
  • Artist in Residence, K-4, South Park Elementary, Belle Fourche SD
  • Artist in Residence, 6-12, Hawley Middle and High Schools, Hawley MN, October 2010
  • Presentations, K-12, Pelican Rapids Schools, Pelican Rapids MN, May 2010
  • Artist in Residence, K-6, Hawley Elementary, Hawley MN, May 2010
  • Artist in Residence and Mural, 4-8, Madison Elementary, Ben Franklin and Carl Ben Eilson M.S., Fargo ND, May 2010
  • Artist in Residence, 5-8, Underwood M.S., Underwood MT, 2010
  • Artist in Residence, 5-8, Sidney M.S, Sidney MT, April 2010
  • Artist in Residence, K-8, Seeley Lake School, Seeley Lake MT, April 2010
  • Artist in Residence, K-8, Ovando School, Ovando MT, March 2010
  • Artist in Residence, Havre H.S., 9-12, Havre MT, February 2010
  • Artist in Residence, 5-8, De La Salle Blackfeet School, Browning MT, February 2010
  • Artist in Residence, 6- 8, Chief Joseph M.S., Bozeman MT, January 2010
  • Artist in Residence, K-4, Linderman Elementary, Polson MT, Januray 2010
  • Artist in Residence, K - 12, Belt Schools, Belt MT, September 2009
  • Artist in Residence, K - 12, Ryegate Schools, Ryegate MT, September 2009
  • Artist in Residence, K - 12, Judith Gap Schools, Judith Gap MT, September 2009
  • Artist in Residence, K - 12, Missoula Public Schools, Missoula MT, May 2009
  • Artist in Residence, K- 8, Bonner Public Schools, Bonner MT, May 2009
  • Artist in Residence, K- 12, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln MT, April 2009
  • Artist in Residence, 5- 8, Havre Public Schools, Havre MT, April 2009
  • Artist in Residence, Havre Middle School, Havre MT, October 2009
  • Artist in Residence, K-6, Warrior Shields and Mud Ponies, Devils Lake schools, Devils Lake ND, April 2008
  • Artist in Residence, K-4, Warrior Shields, Upper Dauphin Elementary, Loyalton, PA, April 2008
  • Minnie H fourth grade graduation, Devils Lake ND, May 2007
  • CASA's, "Stop Horsin' Around Help Stop Child Abuse", Presentations; Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Rapid City SD, May 2007
  • Warrior Shields, student workshop, Rapid City SD, May 2007
  • Artist in Residence, 4, Warrior Shields, Minnie H Elementary, Devils Lake ND, April 2007
  • Winter Counts, Storytelling on Buffalo Hides, student workshop, Eight Mile Public School, Trenton ND, January 2007
  • Artist in Residence, 4,“Creating Your Own Identity”, Williston Area Schools, Williston ND, January 2007
  • “Winter Counts, Storytelling on Buffalo Hides”, Poplar Junior High School, Poplar MT January 2007
  •  “Creating Your Own Identity”, artist-in-residence, Jamestown Area Elementary Schools, November 2006
  • Warrior Shields, workshop, Madison Elementary, Fargo ND, November 2006
  • Winter Counts, workshop, Madison Elementary, Fargo ND, November 2006  
  • Warrior Shields, student workshop, Minnie H Elementary, Devils Lake ND, June 2006
  • “Warrior Shields, Creating Your Own Identity”, workshop, Bennett Elementary, Fargo ND, March 2006
  • “Celebrating your Identity”, student workshop, Horace Mann Elementary, Fargo ND, March 2006
  • Warrior Shields, student workshop, Devils Lake Middle School, Devils Lake ND, February 2006
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