PSO Designer's Showhouse featured Artist: Ellen Thayer

Maine Artist Ellen Thayer created a one of a kind piece just for the PSO Designer's Showhouse. She was kind enough to work with my color palette and concept.

"Between the sun’s angle, the sky condition, and the surrounding environment, the magnificent range of colors in the resulting rhythmic water reflections have inspired eight of Ellen’s paintings to date.  These mesmerizing reflections have a relaxing and meditative quality for the viewer.  “Reflection, Oak Island” was created specifically for the hallway above the staircase to create a feeling of calm and repose." 
Ellen is gaining recognition for her Reflections series, each of them different in color and mood, which I find appropriate because of how the Maine coastline changes its colors and moods throughout the year! I am so pleased with her stunning piece that supports the PSO.
More about the Artist:
As a former television meteorologist in Portland and Boston, Ellen Thayer has been a Maine island adventurer for most of her adult life.  Living on Casco Bay in South Portland affords frequent boating and kayaking excursions where Ellen finds limitless artistic inspiration in the remarkable rocks, weathered shells, and driftwood as well as island vistas and calm coves.  Ellen’s vast collections, from what the sea discards, inspire a variety of art forms and the images she captures on camera become vibrant oil paintings.  Ellen has been painting in oil for over twenty years and continues her art education through various artist’s workshops.  In recent years, Ellen’s commissions have expanded to include pet and people portraiture.

"breaker"

Ellen’s work has been exhibited at Art of the Sea in South Thomaston, Archipelago in Rockland, and Tara Home and Gift in Cape Elizabeth.  From June to September of 2011, sixteen of Ellen’s oil paintings are exhibited at Townsend Real Estate and Art Gallery in Willard Square, South Portland.  This year, Ellen has been an artisan exhibitor at the Seacoast Home & Garden Show in Durham, NH, the Maine Home + Design Midcoast Show in Lincolnville, and the Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show in Rockland.  Ellen’s work has also been accepted into the Ogunquit Museum of American Art’s Invitational.  This Fine Art and Craft show takes place at the museum on November 4 & 5 this year.

Recognizing the significant character of Maine’s islands, Ellen has been a long-standing member of the Maine Island Trail Association whose model of thoughtful use and volunteer stewardship strives to assure the conservation of Maine islands while providing an exceptional recreational asset for the people who use them. Ellen has also been a long time supporter of the Island Institute who works in close partnership with Maine’s year-round island and coastal communities to ensure that these special places remain vibrant and viable. Ellen donates ten percent of all sales to these two organizations. Her original piece inside the showhouse will support the PSO and an ever larger % is donated (Big talent = big heart).

(One of my other favorite pieces-her one of a kind hearth art)

Ellen's words to live by: "“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” - Goethe’s Faust

The current showhouse is open to the public now through October 3rd. It contains many original works of art, decor, and design and raises funds for the Portland Symphony Orchestra.  More info can be found here

Heartfelt thanks to:
Ellen Thayer
(207) 450-5951

http://www.maineislandtreasures.com/

Local Wednesdays-Celebrating Maine Artists and Artisans:Ellen Thayer

I am blessed to live in a city that is overflowing with creativity. Once a week I will be highlighting artists and artisans that live in Maine. From art, to photography-to furniture and fashion...if it incorporates color and inspiration (and if I could use it tastefully as an Interior Designer in Maine) then you will find it here. On Wednesdays.

Ellen Thayer is an artist in South Portland, Maine with many artistic talents. I am quite taken with her painting, color, and obviously unique applications of both.

While she does traditional oil paintings (my favorites are the mesmerizing water reflections) she is also creating one of a kind "hearth art".

While she does traditional oil paintings (my favorites are the mesmerizing water reflections) she has also created one of a kind "hearth art".

I love these pieces because they are built for something practical: covering a fireplace during the non working months, yet they incorporate beauty and add authenticity to a space at the same time.
Yes, I also am inclined to like ANYTHING pretty that pairs well with warm weather.

"tree of life"

Ellen has also begun to do a small collection of screens with shells. This is not your typical shabby chic/glued piece. She creates them with intense attention to detail and the inspirations span nautical, traditional, and nature (above).

"Each is a very substantial, one-of-a-kind piece of functional art which becomes the focal point of the room when a fireplace is unused and the space feels dark and cool. I envision them as family heirlooms as well."- Ellen Thayer
 
I should also add she works with a professional woodworker to ensure the screens themselves are structurally sound and can handle the weight.


You can see more on her website here or contact her directly at maineislandtreasures@gmail.com