Nashville-born Aliene de Souza Howell’s bi-cultural background—daughter of a Brazilian physical education specialist and a New York psychologist—cultivated the observational acuity that defines her work.
With a foundation in linocut, Howell creates imagery merging animals, objects, and human forms to explore the interplay between our behavior and the environment, blurring the line between the familiar and uncanny. Her meticulous process mirrors the duality in her surreal yet documentary-like imagery—a quality that once caught Steve Martin's eye during a critique.
A transformative moment in the German Alps—watching a storm pass below her—epitomizes her approach: investigating the quiet intersections where consciousness meets natural phenomena, revealing patterns that connect our inner and outer worlds.
Howell holds a BFA from Guilford College and an MFA from the New York Academy of Art, with study in Rome and London. Her experience includes mural work with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program and residencies in Germany and Ireland. Following fifteen years in New York and a period of renewal, her revitalized practice honors continuity while moving into new creative terrain—rooted in curiosity, spontaneity, and the transformative power of process. Her work appears in collections including Eileen Guggenheim, Francie Bishop Good, Jean-Pierre Roy, Naomi Watts, and Liev Schreiber.
CV
Education
MFA, Painting, New York Academy of Art - New York, NY (2011)
Non-Matriculated Studies, Rhode Island School of Design - Providence, RI (2005)
BFA, Painting, Guilford College - Greensboro, NC (2004)
Study Abroad, Tyler School of Art, Temple University - Rome, Italy (2003)
Advanced Figurative Painting, Slade School of Fine Art, University College London - London, UK (2002)
Studio Practice
Independent Fine Artist | Woodstock, NY | 2012–Present
Create narrative-driven works exploring the intersection of mythology, animal behavior, and folklore through printmaking and painting
Developed a distinctive visual language merging traditional printmaking techniques with contemporary themes and storytelling
Design and execute site-specific installations that transform gallery spaces through strategic use of scale and arrangement
Cultivate relationships with private collectors, galleries, and institutions through studio visits and exhibitions
Manage full artistic practice operations including exhibition planning, grant writing, and commission development
Teaching Experience & Professional Work
Pratt Institute – Printmaking Professor | Brooklyn, NY (Aug 2023–Present)
Developed and taught a semester-long curriculum covering linocut, monotype, collagraph, and drypoint techniques
Provided live demonstrations, organized critiques, and oversaw student showcases
St. John's College – Visiting Professor | Annapolis, MD (Summers 2022, 2023)
Taught an intensive week-long hybrid linocut workshop to college fellows
Guided students from beginner to completed editions with emphasis on bold design
Master Printer (Specializing in Linocut) | Queens, NY (2022–2024)
Restored and printed vintage linocuts (50+ years old), matching original prints through hand correction
Wichita State University – Visiting Artist | Wichita, KS (Jan 2022)
Delivered artist lecture, installed solo exhibition, and taught large-scale linocut workshop
Penn Studio School of Art – Instructor | Philadelphia, PA (2022)
Designed a six-week linocut curriculum; taught remotely with live demos and critiques
Showcase: Student work
CUNY College of Staten Island – Adjunct Professor | Staten Island, NY
Course: "Mini Printmaking Installations" – integrating accessible print techniques
Private Art Tutor (Remote & In-Person) | 2021–Present
Customized curriculum in printmaking, drawing, painting, book arts, and color theory
Helped students develop long-term projects and alternative techniques for home studios
New York Academy of Art – Instructor | New York, NY (2020–Present)
Developed and taught remote and in-person courses in linocut printmaking
Live demonstrations, critique sessions, and fabric printing
Showcase: Student work
Little Red School House & Elisabeth Irwin High School – Visiting Artist | New York, NY (2016, 2017)
Facilitated a full-day linocut workshop for middle and high school students
Studio Assistant to John Jacobsmeyer | Dobbs Ferry, NY (2016)
Mixed oil palettes, executed underpainting layers, managed press materials, and updated digital assets
Lectures, Critiques & Guest Roles
2024: Guest Lecturer – Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico (Remote)
2023: Guest Critic – New York Academy of Art
2022: Guest Lecturer – Wichita State University
2021: Guest Critic – New York Academy of Art
2020: Guest Lecturer – Pratt Institute (Remote)
Residencies & Awards
Cill Rialaig Arts Centre Residency, Ballinskelligs, Ireland (2013)
Winner, Brooklyn Academy of Music "My Documerica" Photo Contest (2013)
Post-Graduate Research Fellowship, NY Academy of Art (2012)
Selected for Critique with Steve Martin, NY Academy of Art (2011)
Leipzig International Artist Residency, Germany – Funded by NYAA (2010)
Selected Exhibitions
Full list available upon request
2023
"Torn and Frayed", New York Academy of Art, NY
"Tribeca Ball Honoring Amy Sherald", New York Academy of Art, NY
2022
"The Hiraeth" (Solo), Clayton Staples Gallery, Wichita State University, KS
"Take Home a Nude", Sotheby's, NY
2016–2013
"Monsters in America", One Mile Gallery, NY / International Cryptozoology Museum, ME
"Inside the Forest", Schaffer Library, Union College, NY
"Mythology & Folklore", Big Irv's, Brooklyn, NY
2012–2004
"Post Natural Fellows Exhibition", NYAA, NY
"Art of Protest", Vanderbilt University, TN
"Greensboro Massacre Commemoration", Guilford College, NC (Solo)
"Recent Works", Gallery 209, Philadelphia, PA
Press & Publications
Featured Artist, "Printmaking 20/20 Vision, Fifth Edition: The Art of Contemporary University Printmaking" (2023)
Artnet, "What I Buy and Why" (2021): Liev Schreiber describes Howell's artwork as his favorite piece
Artnet, "Emerging Artist of the Day" (2012)
Architectural Digest (2018): Liev Schreiber's home tour featuring Howell's artwork
New York Times, Tribeca Ball Photo Feature (2013)
WWD, ArtInfo, Printeresting, and more – Full press links available on request
Notable Collectors
Naomi Watts & Liev Schreiber · Eric Fischl · Eileen Guggenheim · Francie Bishop Good · Howard Tullman · Vincent Desiderio · Jean-Pierre Roy · Peter Drake · Raymond Lockwood