Ellen Dieter Artist

FIGURATIVE WORKS

2011-11-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

CONTRARY DIRECTION - mixed media on canvas - 36" x 48"

TO ONE SELF BE TRUE - mixed media on paper - 42" x 42"

PINK - mixed media on canvas - 48" x 36"

DO DREAMS RESCUE? - oil on canvas - 48" x 36"

KAHALA SUMMER - oil on canvas - 42" x 42"

2011-11-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

AMORPHOUS 13, 14, 15, 16 - acrylic and graphite on canvas - 6" x 6" each

2011-10-24T13:07:00.000-07:00

Amorphous 9, 10, 11, 12

2011-10-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

Amorphous 9, 10, 11, 12 - Mixed media on canvas - 6" x 6"

2011-10-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

AMORPHOUS 5, 6, 7, 8 - acrylic and graphite on canvas - 6" x 6"

2011-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Oil, Graphite, and Charcoal on Paper 1 - 12" x 16"

Working with Oils, Graphite and charcoals, contemplating on lines and objects left behind in nature, deterioration, beginnings, coming together, taking away....the journey....

Oil, Graphite, and Charcoal on paper 2 - 12" x 16"

Oil, Graphite and Charcoal on paper 3 - 12" x 16"

Oil, Graphite and Charcoal on paper 4 - 12" x 16"

2011-10-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

Charcoal Drawing Composition 1 - 18" x 24"

working with charcoals, push and pull, add and take away technique on heavy duty paper.

Charcoal Drawing Composition 3 - 22" x 30"

Charcoal Drawing Composition 2 - 22" x 30"

Charcoal and Oil Drawing Composition 4 - 48" x 60" | Showcase Award Winner in ArtSlant round 5 2011

AMORPHOUS 1, 2 , 3, 4 - acrylic and graphite on canvas - 6"sq ea

2011-08-25T15:46:00.000-07:00

working small, contemplating shape, color and line in a serene mode....

Working in a Series

2011-07-27T12:39:00.000-07:00

I started working in a series a few years back. Up until then, I would paint paintings of places I had visited or lived in and in a way, I suppose I was working in a series as well, but not consciously.
My first intended "series" was At Water's Edge. About 20 or so works all focusing on where the water meets the edge, such as on the sand, or along a wall, all expressive landscape type works. They were a great success and joy to create. I'd walk along the beach in the morning, noticing shapes, colors, feelings and take that into the studio with me and onto the canvas. Painting in oil, the ooey gooey paint captured the movement of the water, the air, the paintings danced with color and energy.
They moved into a series I called my Circle Series, or Enso Series. What was fun and interesting with these works was the brush stroke, always in a circle. They were abstracts which, again were well liked and I sold them all.
I've painted a Core Series (tree trunks, stable, strong and sturdy, or elegant and swaying in the wind). I've worked on more than one Flower Series. Really taking after the Georgia O'Keeffe feeling of stopping to smell the roses. Painting large and up close, then delving in and abstracting a part of the painting onto a different canvas. Way fun.

INBETWEEN - acrylic, enamel, soft pastel and paper on canvas - 42" x 42"

Then there were the faces, the figures, exploring the landscape of a body or a cheek and nose.
More recently, working in the abstract, the paintings have become more non-objective, mark making. What's Left Behind Series. (lines, color, shape, no shape....) Yet they seem to morf into objective again. The observer finds things and meanings and adds them into the paintings in their minds eye. The shapes became objects, and I go with it. The painting leads the way.
But the real work is, just getting into the studio to paint, to put brush to canvas, paint, color, breath, dance, live. Be courageous, go for it, just do it!

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line - abstracts, acrylic, enamel, charcoal, paper and soft pastel on canvas

2011-07-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line # 1 & 2 in a dyptich - 36" x 72"

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line # 4 - 36" x 48"

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line # 5 - 36" x 48"

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line # 7 - 36" x 36"

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line # 8

Contemplating Shape, Color and Line # 9 - 36" x 36"

Summer Camp Series # 9 - oil on canvas, 48" x 24"

2011-06-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series # 8 - Fishing | oil on canvas, 36" x 48"

2011-06-22T15:18:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series # 7 - Paint Day | oil/mixed media on canvas, 30" x 40"

2011-06-22T15:13:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series # 6 - Hiking | oil/mixed media on canvas, 24" x 30"

2011-06-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series # 5 - Bugs | oil/mixed media on canvas, 30" x 40"

2011-06-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series

2011-06-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a new series, Summer Camp. Even though I only went to day camp one summer when I was little, I seem to have many memories and feelings about what it was and what it might feel and look like. What some of the activites are, fishing, horseback riding. Counselors leading songs, feeling happy, or disgruntled. Walking in the woods, discovering.
Some of the paintings are in Acrylics/mixed media, and some of them are in oils/mixed media. They have different results depending on the media, which I find very interesting. We become different people when in different situations, yet we always remain the same. I believe there is a thread of sameness imbedded in the differences. Always an enigma.

Summer Camp Series # 3 Landscape and # 4 What a Pear

2011-06-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series # 2 - Bunny Hop | mixed media on canvas, 36" x 48"

2011-06-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

Summer Camp Series # 1 - Disgruntled | Mixed media on canvas - 30" x 40"

2011-06-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Crossing Over - mixed media on paper - 48" x 48"

2011-05-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Crossing Over A - mixed media on paper - 26" x 48"

2011-05-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Song of Mourning.... - acrylic on paper - 24" x 36"

2011-04-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

Full Moon Setting Still - acrylic on paper, dyptich - 21 1/2" x 15"

2011-04-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

FREE FALL - acrylic, enamel and charcoal on paper - 20" x 30"

2011-03-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

ENLIGHTENMENT or LOST SOULS, acrylic and oil crayon on paper - 24" X 36"

2011-03-25T18:30:00.000-07:00

In Hawai'i the kukui is a symbol of enlightenment, protection and peace.

KUKUI IN YELLOW - mixed media on paper - 23" x 29"

2011-03-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

THEM WATCHING ME PHOTOGRAPH THEM PAINTING ME

2011-03-25T16:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/credentialed/article_76b58c56-3944-11e0-8de6-001cc4c03286.html

KUKUI IN GREEN, acrylic, oil crayon, soft pastel and charcoal on paper, 30" x 22"

2011-03-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

while walking on Kahala Beach, something I do almost every morning for exercise and inspiration, I am often taking photos of fallen coconuts for a 100 coconut series I'm working on, or gathering drift wood or misc. objects to take back to the studio and draw.

the other day, I photographed a grouping of kukui nuts which caught my eye.

when talking to my daughter on St. Patrick's day, she said, "mom, paint something green"

so I did, and this is what happened: KUKUI IN GREEN...

When Three Painters Become One -

2011-02-15T13:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/arts/dani-dodge/article_b9e5533c-38a2-11e0-a496-001cc4c03286.htmlshare

working in the abstract....

2011-02-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

Abstract painting, abstract thinking, one of the most challenging processes I've come across. The trick is to not think. To paint and to let the process happen. What about balance, color, line, integrity, spirituality, composition. Do I just let it all go, throw it to the wind?
Painting layer upon layer, thought over no thought, hanging on, letting go, dancing in the sun......

What's Left Behind Series.....

2011-02-02T14:32:00.001-08:00

re-creations in What's Left Behind series.....

2010-10-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

100 Self Portraits

2010-08-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

www.flickr.com/photos/ellendieterartist/

during the past few weeks, I've been working on a project, 100 self portraits, inspired by an artist named Sam Nejati, who apparently had to do 150 self portraits a week when he was in school back in Iran. Amazing. Well 150 a week, I am not up for, so I thought 100 in a month.
I didn't quite make it, it's been 6 weeks, I got challenged in the 50's and had to do a couple abstracts to change my view...
In any case, I finished today, the absolute deadline and it feels amazing. A process which turned
into an inner journey.....I am grateful!

What's Left Behind.....mixed media, each 36" x 36"

2010-08-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about transitions and deterioration. As I age I become more aware of the change we and our surroundings go through. My inner dialogue goes often to the "other" and my outer notices the fallen flowers, leaves, branches and even trash. Natural and unnatural ways. In a quest to find balance, I am amazed at the struggle. Between scribbled lines one can find spaces of peace, or does the quiet occur because of the energy created? What's left behind becomes what is there now in this moment and not left behind at all.....

Gallery representation at Ivanffy-Uhler Gallery

2010-07-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

http://ivanffyuhler.com/ellen_dieter/bio.html

if you have trouble opening the site, copy paste into the search bar...

Ellen Dieter at the Swift- Canyon Girl.wmv

2010-07-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ellen Dieter Intro_0001.wmv

2010-06-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

Ellen Dieter at the Swift- Big Black Dog.wmv

2010-06-22T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ellen Dieter at the Swift- On Faces and Feelings.wmv

2010-06-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

Ellen Dieter at the Swift- On Gratitude and Soutter_0001.wmv

2010-05-11T20:52:00.000-07:00

Ellen Dieter at the Swift- Life With Horses.wmv

2010-05-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

BRUSHES WITH LIFE a visual journey of the ordinary and extraordinary

2010-04-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hanging the show, BRUSHES WITH LIFE, at the Martha Pace SWIFT Gallery! opening reception to be on Friday May 7th, from 5-8PM located at 2820 Roosevelt Road, SD CA 92106 Hope to see you there!

Blue Teared Woman and Now

2010-04-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

NOW, by Ellen
Right now
this second,
It is here, right now.
oh no!
It's gone,
gone to the woman with the blue tear,
gone to the child holding the bird,
gone, yet not arrived,
right in the middle of hope,
this second, right now.....
we are here, right now.

(response, by Geri)
Now, I see
the woman with the blue tear
who was the child
longing to fly
How is it
I feel her pain
not now occuring
Hurting none the less
Gathering Strands of hope
A colorful bouquet of longing
Holding close the
image of wholeness
I wrap my arms
around myself
and I feel it as all now
complete....

Abstracts in March.....

2010-03-30T23:02:00.000-07:00

heading back to San Diego tomorrow after almost a month in Hawaii. It's been fun and I got busy in the studio, though I haven't posted it all. I ventured into the abstract again for a moment, and here is what I found.....

Will and Ziggy II - acrylic, soft pastel and graphite on paper - 36" x 48"

2010-03-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Will and Ziggy Walking the Nieghborhood...acrylic, paper, soft pastel and graphite on canvas - 42" x 60"

2010-03-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter, grandson and I like to walk the neighborhood. One day, we encountered a man, walking his big white dog. He was wearing black, and the contrast inspired me. I asked if I could take their picture. On another day, we passed a woman planting flowers, in the same spot as we met the man and dog. A point of inspiration apparently!
the story continues....on April 3, I entererd the Sounthern California Juried Awrards show at SDAI, Museum of the Living Artist. Will and Ziggy Walking the Neighborhood received an Honorable Mention (2nd place cash award) by the juror Andy Campognone. A truley inspired event!

Morning Swim - oil on canvas - 36" x 48"

2010-03-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Soul Searching....

2010-03-17T12:25:00.000-07:00

ok, this is a different entry, words, maybe an image, but I've been working a lot, I am alone much of the time while in Hawaii, so I get into my art and sometimes my head. Doing the work, unsure of what I'm doing, just going forth and putting brush to paper, or canvas, whatever. Sometimes oils, sometimes acrylics, always soft pastel lines, and graphite, charcoal, paper pasted on or under. As for subject matter, I realize more than ever, what I paint is like my diary. I paint where I am what I'm feeling, where I've been. It changes like the weather, I feel all over the place sometimes, no direction, yet always moving. Painting the sea, or a man and his dog I saw walking, painting or drawing in life drawing, horses after riding, stand-up paddlers and turtles. Crows outside my window. Why? why paint? why create? well, it's like breathing, it's air, it's necessary for me. Firguring it out, feeling good, bad, unsure, confident, sharing with others, my artist friends, thank God for you! so good to know we are all in the same boat!

Life is good, I am so grateful to be here, to be a painter, to live the life I live!

Out on the Range - Oil on Canvas - 36" x 48"

2010-03-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

Out on the Range is a painting I did awhile ago, and it actually had five horses in it! I brought it out of hiding and reworked it. now, abstracted and a very different painting from hence it came. Just shows me that the journey is alive and well, I just need to keep my eyes and my heart open.....

Cascades I and II - acrylic and soft pastel on canvas, 30" x 40"

2010-02-27T20:35:00.000-08:00

Cascades were painted after a visit to Hawaii, inspired by the homes on the ridges along the coasts. Painted from memory and feeling....

Black Dog with Kahala Turtles | Oil on Canvas | 36" x 48"

2010-02-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

Black Dog with Kahala Turtles is inspired by a walk and a swim in Kahala, seeing turtles while swimming and a big black dog when returning to my car after the morning swim.

From Hell to Paradise, a journey.... | Oil on canvas | 36" x 48"

2010-02-14T10:23:00.000-08:00

From Hell to Paradise is a painting that I have struggled with, painting over and over, and not sure if it will be once again painted. Now, with some joy in the work, I feel as though I've come out of a dark side, and into the light, always a quest, always a journey, as brush swipes at the canvas....

Hanging out with the Turtles...acrylic, graphite, and soft pastel on paper - 36" x 48"

2010-01-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful morning in Hawaii, a walk on the beach, no one around at 7am, a quick swim and back to the studio to paint. The experience of morning, of Hawaii, of solitude inspires to no end, figuring it out, painting...it is what I love to do...

More fun with Kahala Beach walks...and Stand Up Paddling. Paintings are oil on paper, 20" x 30"

2009-12-28T20:18:00.001-08:00

Morning walks, afternoon paints, a super way to spend the holidays!

Kahala Beach Walk - oil and soft pastel on paper - 22" x 28"

2009-12-19T15:35:00.000-08:00

Energy in Honolulu is hot and exciting! I've been here a week now, and I have a couple works I'd like to share. They are abstracts of my experience of morning walks along the Kahala Beach. Though the water has been calm, the energy created is strong and wild!

i-phone art!

2009-12-10T17:55:00.000-08:00

While driving to Marin County from San Diego during the Thanksgiving Holiday, well, actually while sitting in the passenger seat on the trip, I found drawing on my boyfriends I-phone to be quite amusing! Here are some samples of the works created on the trip.......

drawing, over and over, more and more color, different lines, layers, so much fun!!!!

no fear, "pouring" color, spraying color, etching color, creating faces, looking out, looking in....

is less more, or is more more???????? I love it all!!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!

COLLABORATION Exhibit Nov. 13, 2009

2009-12-05T09:49:00.000-08:00

let's back up a minute....I would like to write a little about the COLLABORATION exhibit which was Nov. 13 - 23rd at San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Man.

This exhibit was the culmination of a years work. Three artists, myself, Richard Messenger and Shahla Dorafshan painted together to create group portraits of Tim Field, Kerstin Roberts, and Andrea Chamberlain, all of San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Man in Balboa Park. We worked in my studio every Monday for a year. We painted on brown paper with acrylics, soft pastels, charcoal and graphite. The most interesting part is that we painted at the same time on the same surface, the works are a collaboration, three artists coming together as one.

Who painted what? was the big question at the reception. Well we all painted everything! We worked as one, we got out of our own heads, our own way and let a process happen where we honored each others brush stroke, everyone was valid, even if it covered a previous one.

It was the most interesting and enjoyable work!!!!

The reception was full of energy, people, paintings, electricity in the air! My voice was gone by the end of the evening, so many questions about the work, so much interest, people getting it, people not getting it.

I give much thanks and gratitude to Tim Field, Kerstin Roberts and Andrea Chamberlain for helping make this happen! to Patricia Frischer for planting the seed and to the artists, Richard Messenger and Shahla Dorafshan for sharing their talent and creative spirit! I thank my daughter Shanon and my grandson Dru for all their support, and especially my boyfriend Mel for his ever loving support and insights! OH What a night!

A Day in the Hills of Descanso....

2009-12-03T21:03:00.000-08:00

On days when I am not in my studio painting, I am out riding horses, gathering the sense of freedom and living in the moment, a most spiritual sensation I must admit! Today was a super day, a four hour ride up in the hills of Descanso amongst the boulders with friends. yiha!!!!! back to painting tomorrow.....

COLLABORATION

2009-11-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

Working in collaboration with Richard Messenger and Shahla Dorafshan puts a smile on my face! Our collaboration was born out of an idea for the San Diego Visual Arts Network's project MOVERS AND SHAKERS. We, a group of artists, ERS, (Ellen, Richard, Shahla) were to create a group portrait. We painted together, all of us on the same surface, big pieces of brown paper (generally 4' x 6') at the same time! An amazing experience! The culmination of our efforts will be on exhibit at San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Artist in San Deigo, from Friday Nov. 13 - Sun. Nov. 22, 2009 with the reception on Friday Nov. 13 from 6 - 8pm.

GLORIA

2009-10-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

GLORIA is painted on a 6" x 6" x 2" box canvas, she is surprised at the world! and a bit overwhelmed!

MOM

2009-10-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

MOM is 6" x 6" x 2" oil painted on box canvas. Love these small format works!

The Girls - 24" x 48" - acrylic and charcoal on canvas

2009-09-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

Though painted in Hawaii, the girls were floating in Europe along the Mediterranean,
the girls being my daughter Shanon, niece Carly, and a friend Heather...

Confused Identity - 4" x 6" - oil on canvas

2009-09-22T19:20:00.000-07:00

An attempt at being a Porshe, I became a VW Bug!!!! Now that is humility for you!

Abstractions At Water's Edge, acrylic works on paper 8" x 9"

2009-09-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

walking along the beach every morning, the water's edge interests....

MORE FUN WITH HORSES - 8" x 9" acrylics on watercolor paper

2009-09-09T19:23:00.000-07:00

Feeling more colorful, more daring, still having fun with horses!!!! Riding tomorrow for the first time in 2 months, very excited!

OLD JOE - 8" X 9" oil on watercolor paper

2009-09-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

this is a painting of a good friend of mine. I've been thinking of him so much lately, so I decided to paint my interpretation of him. I love you Old Joe!!!!

2009-09-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today's studio day was different in that first I worked in oils on the face, then and during worked in acrylics on the water abstract. Painting, just the process of painting, no matter the medium, I crave....

All In a Days Work 8" x 9" acrylics on watercolor paper

2009-09-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

A day of inspiration, of letting go, getting out of the way. I love horses!!!!

THE OLD WHALER 6" x 6" oil on canvas

2009-08-31T11:11:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a book called Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund and an image of an Old Whaler kept coming to mind. This painting emerged. On Aug. 24th, 09, I entered OLD WHALER in SDAI's One Foot show, and was awarded, by Debra S. Babylon the Juror's Choice award!!!!! I am honored!!!!

Runing Wild 4" x 6" acrylic on paper

2009-08-22T12:08:00.000-07:00

When I paint horses I feel so free!!!!

Full Moon Jive - 18" x 24" acrylic on paper

2009-08-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

All That Has Been Remembered, And Forgotten Too... 36" x 36" - mixed media

2009-08-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

Where Are the Clowns??? 30" x 40" mixed media on canvas

2009-06-29T11:50:00.000-07:00

What Would It Be Like???? 36" x 36" mixed media on canvas

2009-06-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

An Endless Aching Need... 36" x 36 " mixed media on canvas

2009-06-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Speculating on Truth 36" x 36" mixed media on canvas

2009-06-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

Colors Within - 30" x 40" - Acrylic and Soft Pastel on Canvas

2009-06-24T08:21:00.000-07:00

Playful Possibilities II - 30" x 40" - oil on canvas

2009-06-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Playful Possibilities - 30" x 40" acrylic on canvas

2009-06-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

SISTERS - acrylic and soft pastel on board - 30" x 40"

2009-05-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

ANGST... - acrylic and soft pastel on board 30" x 40"

2009-05-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Uninterfering Means on Paper - 18" x 24" mixed media on paper

2009-05-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Disgruntled - 18" x 24" acrylic on paper

2009-05-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

Summoning Oneself 36" x 36" mixed media on canvas

2009-05-14T15:25:00.000-07:00

2009-05-14T15:22:00.001-07:00

2009-05-14T15:21:00.001-07:00

Blue Bird Watching....10" x 24", oil on canvas

2009-04-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

Woman With Bird 30" x 40" oil on canvas

2009-04-23T22:34:00.001-07:00

HEY ALL

2008-04-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

This is the first posting of a new blog. More to come.