In the studio now ...
Come back often to watch a selection of my paintings develop from start to finish.
​I usually work on several paintings at a time, particularly with oils, which involve multiple glazes planned out ahead of time, each glaze needing to dry before the next. 

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​A study in contrasts and reflections

The setting sun gilds branches, softly mirrored in a freshwater pond

Someone asked me why I transfer a drawing to a dry, underpainted canvas, as indicated in the captions on the progress photos below instead of drawing directly on it. I seldom do a drawing beforehand, but when there are a lot of subjects, like trees, or buildings, with a lot of thin lines (in this case tall Loblolly pines and wild cherry trees) and I want a certain placement and rhythm, I'll draw first on very thin translucent paper taped to the canvas. I can see the colors through the paper and place things where I feel they're right (and remove what I don't like) without marking up the canvas until I have the rhythm and balance I'm striving for. When I'm satisfied with the drawing, I put art transfer paper under it (in this case blue) and use a stylus to loosely transfer the drawing. A lot is roughed in, but this process eliminates time-costly errors. I hope this helps those studying my processes. Please feel to ask questions through my contact page. ~ Ellen

Morning Song

This is a small (8" x 8") oil study of a young male Indigo Bunting.
You can watch it develop from start to completion below. I took a sidestep or two on this one,
but really like the final results.

​"First Light" (sold while in progress)

​A hazy summer morning and gentle lapping waves come alive in this 8" x 6" oil on gallery wrapped canvas
​In this painting's case there were no preliminary drawings.

"Westerly Breezes"

Strong westerly breezes on the edge of a nor'easter blow the tops off 15 - 20 ft. swells on the outgoing tide

Capturing the ocean's energy
This 8" x 16" oil is still in the studio getting final touches

"Sunrise"
The sun peaks through on a misty, cloudy morning (sold)

Private commission
Sometimes there are no photos that show a departed loved one as you'd like to remember them.
Here, a number of photos were used to recreate a favorite memory of  a couple's late fur child.

"​At Water's Edge"

Paintings are often windows into places and the artist's thoughts as they paint.
​I might have called this one "cathedral".

​19" x 25" pastel "Radiance" in progress
This painting was originally to have been unveiled last year.
A health problem due to breathing pastel dust put it on hold. It will appear here when completed. 
​Take care to not breathe in pastel dust when painting with them.

Nor'easter Blowing

 See the progress of this 9" x 12" seascape from start to signed finish. Sold.

"Wild Horses"

8" x 16" oil on canvas

"Roxy" family portrait

Captions explain the process step by step as this 11" x 14" oil painting takes shape.

"Spring Promise"

This was my first painting of a bird and my only acrylic. I enjoyed the process beyond the limits of acrylics.
It was done for one of the most special people in my life as an artist, now sadly gone but never forgotten.
​I miss you John.