Wall-able Art
My mixed-media artwork and works on silk reference Eastern philosophical and spiritual ideas. Using bold gestures, layers of texture and a passion for color, I explore the nature of the mind, the patterns that drive us, and the search for wholeness in the midst of our busy lives. I am a student of the philosophies and wisdom of the ancient East and I am drawn to creating art that explores the “inner” landscape.
My unique visual currency comes through my intense love of color, courageous mark-making, a wide use of materials, and the playfulness of my 7-year old self. According to many ancient spiritual teachings as well as modern science, colors are essentially frequencies that can impact emotion and states of being. In other words, they can be “healing.” In the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, asymmetry and “imperfection” are viewed as beauty. My creative approach draws on these world views, allowing colors, organic shapes and lines to emerge naturally, mapping the movement between our inner and outer landscapes and evoking the healing, inner sanctuary where individuals can find true retreat.
My Message in a Bottle mixed media series was inspired by the discovery of an entire box of wartime correspondence written by my grandfather while he was a young man serving in the US Army during World War I. I never met my father’s father, so the nearly 100 letters penned to my grandmother, more than a century ago, inspired me to visually express some of the feelings, stories, and moments in his life as a soldier, while also reflecting universal themes of isolation, connection, and healing. The artwork is infused with tears of sadness and comfort. It draws from poignant turns of phrase, the materiality of ink and paper, and a certain transcendence of time. I hope to capture the enchantment of this “message in a bottle” which has washed up upon my shores, and which transmits more than mere words on paper. Go here for more background.
Wear-able Art
Art meets fashion in my original designs. What we wear can be one of the most vital art forms of daily soulful expression. Clothes can convey our creative spirit, and allow us to shine our light in a way that reflects our mood, enhances our groove or declares our philosophy of living.
After a lifetime love of style, I began exploring painting in the mid-2000’s as a way to infuse my creativity into this daily adventure. Passionate about color, fabrics, and clothing as a means of self-expression, I create my own textiles by playfully exploring color combinations, textural qualities and movement.
Once I’ve created the fabric, I layer the colors, fabric designs and sensuous textures with unexpected elements such as grommets, leather or a hood to capture something exquisite – in a fresh yet understated way. Whether painting or transforming my fabrics into clothing, I let the colors lead the way, guided by an eye for modern style, beauty and sophistication.
My influences, are well, everywhere.
I look to many cultures and tribes for their rich color palettes and glorious textiles. I admire the women on the streets of Paris and Milan who transform a simple outfit with a single stroke of fabric, dramatic color or unexpected design. And I also love the painterly light, natural forms and lifestyle of the West Coast. Here, silk and jeans are a modern expression of elegance with ease — where something can be beautiful to look at but also easy to live in.
Creating is joyful – from the first brushstroke to unexpected pieces that give each woman her own paintbrush for sharing her vibrancy and style with the world.
— ellen brook
My mixed-media artwork and works on silk reference Eastern philosophical and spiritual ideas. Using bold gestures, layers of texture and a passion for color, I explore the nature of the mind, the patterns that drive us, and the search for wholeness in the midst of our busy lives. I am a student of the philosophies and wisdom of the ancient East and I am drawn to creating art that explores the “inner” landscape.
My unique visual currency comes through my intense love of color, courageous mark-making, a wide use of materials, and the playfulness of my 7-year old self. According to many ancient spiritual teachings as well as modern science, colors are essentially frequencies that can impact emotion and states of being. In other words, they can be “healing.” In the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, asymmetry and “imperfection” are viewed as beauty. My creative approach draws on these world views, allowing colors, organic shapes and lines to emerge naturally, mapping the movement between our inner and outer landscapes and evoking the healing, inner sanctuary where individuals can find true retreat.
My Message in a Bottle mixed media series was inspired by the discovery of an entire box of wartime correspondence written by my grandfather while he was a young man serving in the US Army during World War I. I never met my father’s father, so the nearly 100 letters penned to my grandmother, more than a century ago, inspired me to visually express some of the feelings, stories, and moments in his life as a soldier, while also reflecting universal themes of isolation, connection, and healing. The artwork is infused with tears of sadness and comfort. It draws from poignant turns of phrase, the materiality of ink and paper, and a certain transcendence of time. I hope to capture the enchantment of this “message in a bottle” which has washed up upon my shores, and which transmits more than mere words on paper. Go here for more background.
Art meets fashion in my original designs. What we wear can be one of the most vital art forms of daily soulful expression. Clothes can convey our creative spirit, and allow us to shine our light in a way that reflects our mood, enhances our groove or declares our philosophy of living.
After a lifetime love of style, I began exploring painting in the mid-2000’s as a way to infuse my creativity into this daily adventure. Passionate about color, fabrics, and clothing as a means of self-expression, I create my own textiles by playfully exploring color combinations, textural qualities and movement.
Once I’ve created the fabric, I layer the colors, fabric designs and sensuous textures with unexpected elements such as grommets, leather or a hood to capture something exquisite – in a fresh yet understated way. Whether painting or transforming my fabrics into clothing, I let the colors lead the way, guided by an eye for modern style, beauty and sophistication.
My influences, are well, everywhere.
I look to many cultures and tribes for their rich color palettes and glorious textiles. I admire the women on the streets of Paris and Milan who transform a simple outfit with a single stroke of fabric, dramatic color or unexpected design. And I also love the painterly light, natural forms and lifestyle of the West Coast. Here, silk and jeans are a modern expression of elegance with ease — where something can be beautiful to look at but also easy to live in.
Creating is joyful – from the first brushstroke to unexpected pieces that give each woman her own paintbrush for sharing her vibrancy and style with the world.
— ellen brook