About Louis Ely Madison, WI Artist & Teacher

Meet Louis Ely Artist, Art Teacher, Husband & UW Badger Basketball Alumni

Every child seeks to be part of a community. A community where they feel accepted and recognized for their contribution. As a child, my community of peers valued the artistry of drawing cars. Unfortunately, my graphics of cars were not deemed worthy of accolades from my peers. Crestfallen, but not defeated, I preserved. With each drawing, I elaborated on each detail of a car. I remember the day when my peers responded with positive affirmations of my artistic skills. I knew then that there is an artist in everyone; it just needs to be nurtured and cultivated.

My perseverance in developing my art skills followed me to the basketball court. The basketball court became my canvas which provided me with a basketball scholarship to UW Madison. When I wasn’t playing basketball for the Badgers, I was earning my teaching degree in art from UW-Madison.

Louis Ely of Lou Art, artist, painter, teacher, husband and UW Badger Basketball alumni.

Louis' Favorite Paint & Drawing Mediums

As an art teacher for more than 24 years, my desire is to allow students a safe space that will encourage them to flourish as an artist. My greatest reward as an educator is to witness my students flourish as an artist. I remind my students that art is subjective, if they see the beauty in their work I see it. I am their coach guiding them through the process of expressing themselves using various mediums such as watercolor, acrylics, charcoal, ink, or colored pencils.

Water Color

Acrylic and oil paints are one of Louis Ely's favorite mediums for teaching art lessons in painting.

Acrylic & Oil Paint

Colored Pencil

Pastel

Graphite Pencil

Empowering Dreams through Art A Journey of Inspiration and Representation

Creating art is my passion. Recently one of my paintings was commissioned by the city of Madison to be displayed on an electrical box. As an African American man, I am honored to be representing my culture. My hope is that my art will inspire young African American males to pursue their dreams. They need to remember they are the masters of their fate, captains of their souls, no one can take their dreams away. The child who dreamed of being an artist became one and has taught countless students to express themselves through art. That child is me.