A self-taught artist, African-American artist Ray Howell was born in Oakland, California and grew up in foster homes. Howell painted many works on commission, including a huge mural at now-closed New Joe's Restaurant on Geary Street in San Francisco, depicting the history of the city's Italian community.
A large format, intricate composition that seems to capture a quiet moment in the daily life of a young girl as she catches a cat-nap while riding the carousel The faces of the other riders and those of the animals tell yet another story. The execution of such a large multi-color planographic print is in itself a feat; to so delicately tell a story in the process is an accomplishment that few can achieve.