Today we’d like to introduce you to Louise Pennebaker.
Hi Louise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, I am Louise Pennebaker, a Houston native, mother of four boys, and an artist and curator. I am the founder of Fern’s Gallop, a small experimental gallery and studio located at 223 E 11th Street in the Heights. Over the past two and a half years, the space has built meaningful momentum, allowing me to transition back into a more focused studio practice. As a result, I will be closing the gallery portion of the business at the end of May to concentrate on developing a new body of work. Houston continues to be an exceptionally supportive city for artists, and I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and engagement of its patrons and creative community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My greatest challenge is navigating the dual commitment to motherhood and my work as an artist. I am deeply invested in growing my career, but I am equally committed to being present for my family. The idea of “work-life balance” increasingly feels like a misconception; in reality, one must take priority. For me, that priority is my family. As a result, I approach my time with intention and precision, ensuring that even within these constraints, my artistic practice continues to evolve. The growth may be slower than I would prefer, but it remains steady, deliberate, and aligned with my values.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work moves fluidly between oil painting and collage, guided by an ongoing interest in memory, mythology, and the emotional experience of place. I often begin with fleeting sensory impressions—moments gathered in nature or within relationships—that are later reinterpreted in the studio through a more intuitive than literal lens. My paintings develop through layered applications of color and texture, resulting in landscapes that feel at once familiar and unplaceable, more akin to memory than documentation. In my collage practice, I incorporate vintage photographs and found imagery, frequently referencing Texas and the American West, transforming them into compositions that evoke nostalgia, playfulness, and a subtle surrealism. Across both mediums, I am drawn to the space between the romantic and the psychological, with an emphasis on capturing the quiet resonance of everyday life.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Nothing is better than a shoulder shaking, belly aching laugh. I welcome it any time, any place!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.louisepennebaker.com
- Instagram: @louisepennebaker_art
Image Credits
Kolibri Photography
www.kolibriphotography.com
Michelle Butler
image credit for the headshot with my face, and the cactus in the background
