Elaine is a traditional oil painter of today's
Indian people. She was born in Chicago, Illinois
and is presently living in Port Townsend,
Washington with a few months spent in the
Phoenix area each winter. "I began experimenting
with my present approach to painting", she
observes, "when I bought a painting of the 1840
vintage that needed restoration. When I delved
into the process, I realized I would have to
learn the old technique to restore the painting.
I also realized that most artists were not using
the old methods. This is what launched me on my
current style, a lengthy process incorporating
multi-layered application of opaque and
transparent paint." "I became an artist because
I really had no choice. There was never anything
else so compelling as to dissuade me from this
goal. As a child, I was always drawing people. I
attended Saturday classes at the Art Institute
of Chicago from 7th grad through high school and
sold my first painting when I was in the 8th
grade. It was an exhilarating feeling. In 1960 I
won a scholarship to the Art Institute and moved
to Phoenix in 1962. There I attended Arizona
State University until I took a position as a
television art director." "I started doing
research into the Indian culture for programs.
Then I traveled to the reservations in Arizona
and New Mexico. After assimilating my
impressions, I began an absorbing painting
journey from which I have yet to return. I don't
limit myself to any one Indian culture because I
find them all fascinating. Also, it is a
learning experience and a good opportunity to
create intercultural friendships." Elaine has
made many friends in the Indian communities that
she has visited. There she has watched the
children grow from youngsters to fine young
adults. She has had the privilege of painting
them throughout their growing years. Continuing
to visit and paint these people is a priority
and a passion during each visit Elaine makes to
the Southwest.
Elaine is a traditional oil painter of today's
Indian people. She was born in Chicago, Illinois
and is presently living in Port Townsend,
Washington with a few months spent in the
Phoenix area each winter. "I began experimenting
with my present approach to painting", she
observes, "when I bought a painting of the 1840
vintage that needed restoration. When I delved
into the process, I realized I would have to
learn the old technique to restore the painting.
I also realized that most artists were not using
the old methods. This is what launched me on my
current style, a lengthy process incorporating
multi-layered application of opaque and
transparent paint." "I became an artist because
I really had no choice. There was never anything
else so compelling as to dissuade me from this
goal. As a child, I was always drawing people. I
attended Saturday classes at the Art Institute
of Chicago from 7th grad through high school and
sold my first painting when I was in the 8th
grade. It was an exhilarating feeling. In 1960 I
won a scholarship to the Art Institute and moved
to Phoenix in 1962. There I attended Arizona
State University until I took a position as a
television art director." "I started doing
research into the Indian culture for programs.
Then I traveled to the reservations in Arizona
and New Mexico. After assimilating my
impressions, I began an absorbing painting
journey from which I have yet to return. I don't
limit myself to any one Indian culture because I
find them all fascinating. Also, it is a
learning experience and a good opportunity to
create intercultural friendships." Elaine has
made many friends in the Indian communities that
she has visited. There she has watched the
children grow from youngsters to fine young
adults. She has had the privilege of painting
them throughout their growing years. Continuing
to visit and paint these people is a priority
and a passion during each visit Elaine makes to
the Southwest.
