Ellen Gabehart
I began drawing at three sitting on the fire escape in the Bronx, New York City. I attended the School of Music and Art a few semesters. On Saturdays, during my teen years I attended the Student’s Art League every Saturday. After graduation from High School I enrolled in a night class at the League and studied figure drawing. My instructor Frank Reilly guided me gently but firmly onto my own personal pathway. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree and Teacher’s Credential from the University of California in Northridge. I taught elementary school for 7 years in the San Fernando Valley.
When I came to Oregon I was hired to teach at Gold Beach High School, as well as the Southwestern Community College and Coos Bay Art Museum. When I came to Eugene became an instructor at Maude Kern Art Center, LCC, and Oasis. Presently I an an instructor at Willamalane Adult Center. Like my mentors I teach the formal principles of art and encourage my students “to find their own voice.”
My trips through Alaska, Mexico & the Southwest expanded my visual and spiritual experiences. Each year creating art becomes more meaningful and necessary to me. I become emotionally involved with my subjects and seek to extract and record its spiritual nature through color, design and movement. For me, where there is life there is art, where there is art, there is life. You can view more of my artwork at my website: www.artisticmindonline.com/egabehart
A page from her book “My Childhood Pains”
Ellen in her studio
Looking at a sketch before starting to paint
Blending colors
Tapping on a little red
Adding a little salt to the wet paint
Example of the finished piece
Sitting in her living room