Statement

“Using line and color, I paint with enthusiasm and reach for work that is energetic. My previous life was as an interior designer, and I discovered people are often afraid of color, depriving themselves of this element that feeds the spirit and brings pleasure to every day. A painting has the power to do this, making color and line sing together. Color can remind me of places or emotions and carry me along on its journey. The painting and I get acquainted, become friends, and move forward in step with each other.

In the 50s, my childhood home was filled with paintings, sculpture, and rich conversation. The art of the German expressionist, Fauvists, and the New York school have influenced me the most.

Oils, acrylics, and music are my go-to mediums. Whether abstract or figurative, I start with bold energetic strokes, trying not to think too much, and let the line and the color take the lead. I like to paint in the afternoon/evening, often surprising myself in the morning with what I did before turning out the light”.

—Elissa Schoenlank 2021