Ellen Rice Studio of Fine Art
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'Reflection'
Strength of Woman Series, Vol. VI

Copyright Ellen H. Rice, Ocean View, Delaware, 2017. All rights reserved.
Picture
36" x 24" oil on canvas
and archival gicle'e reproductions
by Ellen Rice
​Original sold. Prints available.
A copy of the following comes with each print.
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     ​​"In quietness and in trust shall be your strength." ~ Isaiah 30:15

Picture
by Ellen Rice​

​This painting means more than I realized when I started it. It was conceived as an idea that came in prayer several years ago, but was brought into painted form in an unusual way.

I didn't look for a model or imagine the woman standing in the ocean as I've done with some of my other Strength of Woman paintings. A new neighbor posted a photograph of herself on Facebook that was almost exactly what I'd seen, particularly its feeling. Quiet times of seeking, peace, gentle reflections, hope, trust . . . new beginnings.

From the moment I put the original oil painting in my gallery to dry, it drew an unusually strong response. There have been lots of bright smiles and comments about how real it looks, and there have been teary eyes.

To many, the draw is the painting's beauty and peace. They love the light going through the wave and surrounding the woman and say they can almost hear the ocean and taste the salt air. Others identify with the woman. When the latter tell me their stories, uncannily they mirror the story of my neighbor - and myself a number of years ago.

The Bible passage above is what first spoke to me about Reflection. In some interpretations the word hope is used instead of trust. "In quietness and hope shall be your strength." I've come back to this verse many times over the years.

When I moved back from the other side of the county to this one in 1994 after my husband of 28 years passed on, I spent countless hours on the deserted off-season beaches, thinking, seeking answers and most of all letting go.

There's something about the ebb and flow of the tides that speaks of eternity, an eternity that exists now, that we are part of now and that we couldn't if we wanted to exist outside of, ever.

The vastness of the ocean points to a power so much larger than ourselves - a power that is also something we cannot exist out of. Here, at shore's edge, we relax, appreciate, commune, let our thoughts flow where they may, soak in the sun and are renewed.

Like my other Strength of Woman paintings, this one seems to speak individually to people from the life experiences they are coming from. Amazingly, almost every woman who has responded with tears to this painting is a widow, often a sudden widow, just as my neighbor became, just as I did, in a way, a few weeks after our divorce after 28 years of marriage. Sometimes it still amazes me that brushstrokes on canvas can convey so much, and this is one of those times.

Bringing peace, joy, comfort, healing is the purpose of my women series. In truth, that desire is behind all of my work. Somewhere the Bible says that desire is prayer. A beautiful soul once advised me, "Ellen, always pray about what you're thinking while you paint. People will pick up on it."

If this painting has drawn you, it may be offering something you need, whether it’s a happy reminder of calm beautiful, sunny days at the beach or a reminder of the fact that like the ebb and flow of the ocean, life is eternal, ever changing, so much larger than our limited human minds can conceive of, and each moment offers new beginnings if we only stop and open our eyes to that which is all around us.              
                                                                                                                        Ellen

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  • Home
  • Originals
    • Original oils and pastels
    • Commemorative Celebration Series
    • Paintings in Progress
    • Commissions
  • Strength of Women Series
    • About the Strength of Woman Series
    • Standing on the Rock Vol I
    • The Journey Vol II
    • No Way Out Vol III
    • Freedom Vol 4
    • The Narrow path Vol V
    • Reflection Vol VI
    • In God's Hands Vol VII
    • Whatsoever things are lovely Vol VIII
    • Crystal Block Series
    • Stretched Canvases
  • Celebration Series
  • Prints
    • Indian River Inlet
    • Seascapes and Beach
    • Bay and Marsh Paintings
    • Trees in the Landscape
    • Maps & Treasure Coast History
    • Lighthouses, Coast Guard Stations & Delaware's Watchtowers
    • Mountains & Waterfalls
    • Paintings Created to Uplift
    • Children
    • Dogs & Cats
    • Horses & Chincoteague Island Ponies
    • Nature and Wildlife >
      • Whatsoever Things are Lovely (orchid)
    • Pen, Ink & Watercolor
  • ELLEN'S SMALL GIFTS
    • New Strength Woman Crystal Block Series
    • Porcelain Ornaments featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Wall clocks featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Playing cards featuring shore paintings by Ellen Rice
    • Coasters featuring summertime coastal paintings by Ellen Rice
    • 15 oz. Ceramic Mugs featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Jewelry Keepsake Boxes featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Mousepads featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Bookmarks featuring Ellen's paintings
    • Journals featuring Ellen Rice paintings
  • News & Events
  • American Fine Craft
    • CL Whiting Leaf Leather >
      • Card Cases & Other Small Accessories
      • Classic Handbags
      • Coinpurse & Cosmetic
      • Leather-Edged Bags
      • Small Bags
      • Totes
      • Working Bags
      • Men's Wallets
      • Women's Wallets
    • RAKU - JDavis Inner Spirit Rattles
    • GLASS ART
    • JEWELRY BY THE SHORE >
      • Austin Cake's Sun Sea Sand Sea Glass Jewelry
      • Meg's Prism Sea Glass Jewelry
      • Kim Doughty-Cavagnaro
    • ORNAMENTS >
      • Peter & Robin Morris Copper Ornaments
    • Margie and Bill Lombard
  • About
    • About Ellen Rice
    • Our Staff
    • About Ellen Rice Prints
    • About the Studio
    • Services & Policies
  • Visit the studio, where & when
  • Special Offers
    • Virtual Wall
  • GIFT CARDS
  • Contact