About

Short Bio

Elena is an artist in So. California. She uses oils, and acrylics and mixed media to express her love of nature and the human face.

Statement

As a resident in San Diego County, I love to explore the glorious land and sea scapes, looking for subjects to paint. It is a pleasure to observe nature at its most expressive. My paintings and drawings in recent years are informed by the infinitely delightful sites in California and Western US, as well as the delightful moments of family life and domestic animals and creatures in the landscape. 

Biography

My training as an artist began in my teens, studying 4 years with a classical oil painter, Jack Wallace, who taught at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y.  Later in life I took a week-long workshop in traditional Icon Painting from gifted Russian iconographer, Philip Davydov in Santa Fe, New Mexico (2010). I appreciate the skill practiced by classic oil painting as well as traditions of Eastern Iconography. My work is informed by both traditions.   Other than this training, I am essentially a self-taught artist who loves to paint from nature. 
 

Resume / CV

I have a BA in Art History from Columbia Univ. in N.Y and an MEd in Education from Harvard Grad. Sch. of Ed. 

Having worked  at the Smithsonian Institution (D.C.) as an educator has given me a personal appreciation of this country's rich history and art. I love old book and magazine illustrations, as well as old lace, and antique buttons all of which have stories to tell.