Ellen Fuller

My photo-realistic acrylic paintings are about visual intimacy and result from intense observation: a process of immersion that involves my contemplation and concentration, frustration and exhilaration. The painting process is both absorbing and soul-satisfying. I infuse each brushstroke with my experience of peace and soulfulness while words recede and the awareness of the passage of time fades. To me, this is creative energy in its purest form- the ability to make something happen, to bring something into existence. Only in emptiness can something new be created. My lifelong practices of Tai Chi, QiGong, and meditation translate into an energetic flow and personal expression in my paintings. Sequestering myself in my studio connects me to a space deep within my heart. The painting then reveals itself. My inspiration comes from nature so I’m constantly surrounded by things I want to paint. Nature’s beauty lies in the intricacies and minute details that are often missed or overlooked. It’s not about the end result but more about the process of learning. I feel gratitude for the creative expression that has flowed through me. Expressing my creativity is living my passion. As an artist, I understand the crucial role of surrendering to the work, to its possibilities.

Ellen (Ellie) Fuller lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. From a very young age, art has been a constant source of pleasure. Rather than pursuing a teaching career, she decided instead to become a realist painter of nature. Her background includes etching trompe l’oeil, faux finishes, stained glass, and animation. Ellie pulls from her broad knowledge of different disciplines when working on her photo-realistic acrylic paintings that entail the finest detailed brushstroke. Months are needed to accomplish the finished representations that she paints today. In this fast-paced electronic world, Ellie’s paintings reintroduce the viewer to the natural world, bringing a sense of connection and renewal Portraits, animals, birds, stark skeletal trees and dramatic landscapes lure you in with their intimacy and detail. Through Ellie’s paintings, you may enter into a sacred space as an invisible witness. As she communicates her love of nature she offers us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the magical gifts of nature. Her hope is “it will encourage you to notice the beauty that surrounds us.” She understands the fruits of concentration and reverence. Each brushstroke is infused with Ellie’s sense of peace, serenity and soulfulness, and there is a palpable transference of this energy from the painting to the viewer.

Painting (all materials)