On Her Background
Elaine’s art embraces contemporary life, plein air landscapes, and portraits based on her world travels, but it all started in the loft of the home in San Diego where she grew up. There she lived with her grandmother who came from Eastern Europe, her mother who kept the house filled with music, and her uncle who taught Elaine to draw in the loft where he designed both homes and boats. Elaine was immersed in culture, art and music.
Listening to her mother and grandmother speak a strange language filled her imagination with dreams of far-away lands and exotic places. Her uncle showed her the magic of bringing an idea to life on paper, while her mother’s music enhanced the idea, giving it a special rhythm that seemed to become part of the drawings. In the background the strange language set a tone of mystery. All this melted together to form one complete and inseparable blend of culture, music, and art that became a way of life for Elaine.
On Her Artistic Approach
Elaine says, “Conceptual ideas whirled in my head but couldn’t be released until I learned to draw the human figure.” Elaine attended Watts Atelier for 3 1/2 years and the Athenaeum School of the Arts one year. In various local colleges and private workshops, Elaine studied techniques using pencil, charcoal, watercolor, acrylic, and oil materials. She finds that the fluidity of oil works the best with the rhythm of stroke that pleases her most. This art education basis let Elaine fly free with her ideas, yielding a body of work she calls "Fresh Reflections."
Elaine also enjoys portrait and landscape painting. She says, “To narrow my work to only one type of painting would smother my creative spirit. As I start my painting day, I put on music appropriate for the rhythm of brush stroke I wish to achieve. I celebrate my freedom of expression, and I am grateful for my life’s journey so rich in creative material.
"Adding to this journey is a move to Missoula. Nature here changes its colors and vibrations from one hour to the next. I love hearing the wind howl and seeing the sky turn from vibrant blue to deep dark purple. This great environment further stimulates my desire to paint creatively."
