Ann Ella  Soileau was born and raised on Bayou Cocodrie  near Bunkie, Louisiana.  Life was hard but good.  She and her family worked in the fields all week and also on Saturday.  Sunday was a day of worship and a day to visit and rest.

            Ann Ella married at fifteen to Nolan Joubert and became Ann Ella Soileau Joubert.  Her first child was born when she was sixteen. At the age of 31, she and her husband were proud parents of five daughters and one son.  Her life revolved around family, cleaning, cooking, sewing, and some painting when time permitted.   She went into a deep depression when all of her children left home to begin building their own lives.  To fill that void, she resumed painting.  Her first paintings were done in dark colors.  Religious as she was, she called it a repentance time. 

            Getting closer to God, brought Ann Ella into a greater love for him, her family and also painting.  At this time, she began to paint abstract as well as impressionist work.  She began entering her paintings in shows and won “Best of Show” awards in the state of Louisiana. After that she was accepted in shows in Texas and Washington DC.   She was invited to show her work in the Pirates Alley Art Show on Jackson Square in New Orleans where she was a great success.  Her work is now hanging in the Lafayette Art Association gallery and Acadian Village Gallery.  She also has the painting called, “Waiting for the Sun” hanging in the Swamp Spirit show, an invitational exhibit, in the Gueydan Museum.

            Ann Ella and her husband now reside in the country near Church Point, Louisiana where she is enjoying painting her grandchildren as well as the beautiful nature around her.

annejoubert@msn.com