Ellen Chuse

(American)
Over the years my work has focused on exploring organic forms in nature - particularly the ways in which they reflect and echo one another in widely varying scale and context - creating an ambiguity which challenges the viewer to bring personal associations and experiences to each piece.  Moving between representation and abstraction and often drawing from nature, the work explores landscape and the body in deeply personal ways.

This exhibit represents a body of work from 2007 that combines my connection to drawing with my exploration of color.  While seemingly abstract the paintings evolved from landscapes - inner and outer.  After many years as a sculptor I concentrated primarily on black and white drawings in charcoal.  I began to experiment with color in the late 90s through pastel and chalk, and eventually paint.   Having experimented in recent years with canvas and board, I returned to paper for its texture, flexibility and abundance.  Working on paper frees me. Paper is alive and vibrant.  I love the feel in my hands and the response as I make a mark.  Feeling free to use drawing materials along with paint enables me to have a tactile experience with the work.

Process is very important to me. When working, I know where I begin but never where the piece will lead me.  I work intuitively within the forms and color that engage me at the moment and I am often surprised to discover the family of work that emerges.  Someone once said that making art is about learning what you know that you didn’t know you knew.  That is true for me as an artist and my hope is that the viewer will have a similar experience.

 

 

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