This week we have had the pleasure of interviewing artist Ellen Brenneman. Influenced by her Native American ancestry, she values and appreciates that everything is sacred and holds a purpose in this life. Landscape, animals and environmental elements are held in the highest regard and these subjects appear in some form or another in nearly every piece she paints. She works in acrylics, India and alcohol inks on Yupo™ paper.

Favorite Tools? An ink dropper and a small spray bottle of water What would you call your ‘style’? Whimsical with an Ethereal quality

Grizzly Bear, ‘Power Animals of the Planet’ 2015

What are you currently working on? This year I’m working on a series called ‘Power Animals of the Planet.’

Lunar Guardian, from the 2014 ‘Mother Earth’ series

 

What is a favorite piece of art you created and why? My current favorite piece is called Lunar Guardian. I love the relationship between the woman and the owl. He serves as her protector and watches over her as she sleeps. The relationship between the two is precious to me. Who are your art heroes? My favorite painters are Van Gogh and Gustav Klimt.

Otter, ‘Power Animals of the Planet’ 2015

What qualities make your art distinctively you? My style is constantly changing, shifting, evolving. The one true constant is the subject matter: Landscape, Animals and Environmental Elements. I hold these in the highest regard and they appear in some form or another in nearly every piece that I paint.My style is constantly changing, shifting, evolving. The one true constant is the subject matter: Landscape, Animals and Environmental Elements. I hold these in the highest regard and they appear in some form or another in nearly every piece that I paint.

Sea Queen. This and Lunar Guardian are both done in various layers of mixed media, from using real lace to tiny glass beads.

When do you create? I do my best work first thing in the morning, with a cup of tea and my golden retrievers at my side. What do you listen to when you create? The musicians that inspire me the most are Ellie Goulding, Broods, Peter Gabriel, Tori Amos and Imogen Heap. What other things do you like to do creatively? When I’m not painting I enjoy Photography very much. Tell us about any commercial art endeavors: Currently all work from my Yoga/Inspiration series is being sold on stretched canvas and phone cases exclusively by DownDog Boutique (www.downdogboutique.com) Find out more about Ellen and her art by following her on Facebook and Etsy.

Tags:acrylic painting, Alcohol Inks, Ellen Brenneman, India Ink, mixed-media, Yupo