# 26 ELLEN THE LITTLE GIRL WHO FOUND HER VOICE
| Author : | Ellen Skidmore PARIS, KY |
| Artist : | Ellen Skidmore PARIS, KY |
| Sponsor : | Craig and Madonna Turner |
Ellen Skidmore (1963): Ellen: The Little Girl Who Found Her Voice
Visual artist and writer Ellen Skidmore lives in Paris, Ky, where she owns a studio and gallery. Skidmore was educated at the University of Kentucky, where she received her B.F.A. Her work is held in numerous private and public collections across the United States and Europe. Ellen grew up with a severe speech impediment and tells of her difficulties in her 2015 children’s book, Ellen: The Little Girl Who Found Her Voice. This book is illustrated with 28 of Skidmore’s paintings that are full of luminous color and whimsical subject matter. Her goal in writing this book was to encourage young children to accept who they are, especially if they feel different than other children.
Ellen Skidmore:
BOOKBENCHESLEX.ORG
I painted this bench using imagery from my book, Ellen: The Little Girl Who Found Her Voice. The story of Ellen is my own; I had a speech impediment while growing up. Ellen eventually learns that her happiness is found by focusing on the things she loves rather than dwelling on her frustrations. Learning to paint liberates Ellen, and her love of horses and dogs makes her life so much happier. Ellen Skidmore lives and paints in Paris, Ky.