Ellen Marcus

Category: painting

  • the latest projects

    Looking DownFor those of you who’ve been wondering: I’m not dead, between projects and other things, I just haven’t had much time to blog. While diving into existential-land and pondering the true meaning of blogging, I’ve run many miles and drank many cups of caffeine.  When I have a revelation about blogging, I’ll be sure to send you all an update.

    For the time being here are some recent productions.  I hope you enjoy them.

    Eye painted in acrylic (left).  This design seems to have become popular with the Tumblr crowd.  Three Blue Cat Groovecheers for Tumblr – may you remain as mysterious as the mind of a 12 year old aspiring computer programmer.

    Illustration (on right) created for the band “Blue Cat Groove”.
    For more info go to
    or click on the illustration.

  • A Long Walk

    Cowboy And Ostrich
    Cowboy And Ostrich

    Right now, at this very moment, I’m supposed to be back-seat gaming as my better-at-video-games-half plays Borderlands II. Instead, I failed to create a new post featuring my latest work, so, here I sit in my studio blogging about the image to your left.  Admittedly, there were a few technical issues while photographing this piece.  Perhaps the sun wasn’t in the right place, or my hippy-neighbor placed a hex on my camera – whatever the reason, it proved to be nearly impossible to take a good pic of the latest paintings since I trashed my brush and started using a pallet knife (an actual pallet knife – not the virtual kind you find in photoshop).  The strokes don’t photograph as I wished for them to be seen.  Oh well, hope you like it anyway.  Now, I’m going to join my game-addicted pal before bed (but, really I’m just projecting my own addiction to video games here).  Thanks for reading and have a wonderful week!

  • Caffeinosaurus

    My pre-coffee status.

  • Nefertiti as a Fish

    Oil on Canvas – 8″x10″

    I was able to post this to Redbubble.  Check it out!

    Please stand by…

  • Fish Playing Cello

    Acrylic on Canvas – 11″ x 14″

    I’m going to admit that most of what I paint is just ‘Okay.’  I like it well enough.  Some paintings I can’t stand to look at right after I paint them.  With others it takes some time and observation before deciding upon a negative rating.  However, as luck would have it, most of my work always finds someone who is willing to give it daily love.  In the case of this painting, that someone might be me.  The more I look at it, the more awesome it appears (and the higher I’m going to price it).

    This was inspired by one of Róbert Berény’s paintings called “Woman Playing Cello”.  That guy really knew what he was doing when he created the original.  If she sells, I think I’m going to have to re-create her again.

  • Mona Lisa (As a Fish)

    Oil on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    My latest deadline for 10 paintings has been bumped back.  I won’t be able to finish ten of them by this Saturday.  Luckily, there won’t be any issues if I’m only able to produce 5 or 6 by then.

    Here’s Mona Lisa…as a fish.  I’m thinking a worm on a hook would make anyone smile, or, maybe thats just me.

    Thanks for reading!

  • Fish Tree

    Oil on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    I’m hoping the oil paint will dry by the time it needs to travel to its destination.  I haven’t worked with oil since it has been too cold to keep the windows open and the exhaust fan blowing.   Now that the weather has changed, well, as you can see, here is my first oil of the season.

    That being said, I have to produce 9 more paintings of roughly the same size by April 25th.  That’s the latest challenge life has imposed on me.  Not bad.  Could be worse…could be training for another marathon (which, by the way, is almost as difficult as quitting smoking).

  • Fish on a Bicycle in a Tree

     

    Acrylic on Canvas – 16″ x 20″

    My most recent painting now complete and almost ready to replace the ones I sold.  If this sounds like bragging, well, it might be (just a little bit), and after having a nice brag-fest, I’m always struck with the feeling that my next painting or work will turn out looking like garbage.  To counter this feeling, I’d also like to mention that the sales from those paintings might pay a fraction of my bills if I’m lucky (and refrain from using too much water).

    I have just reminded myself to send the water bill, and, now that I think about it, I already sent it out yesterday.

    If you’re still here and reading this, I’ll bet you might be wondering about the animation I promised…it will eventually make it to this site.  I am still working on other projects and commissions (such as paintings like this).  I am also in the process of transforming the back yard into the Garden of Eden (and I’m guessing I’ll need to begin that project with a couple of fig-leaves).

  • The RSS Fish

    RSS Fish
    Acrylic on Canvas – 8″ x 6″

    I recently fixed an old Gilbert clock from the 1920’s.  It’s one the most fascinating toys I’ve ever had because you can see all the levers and cogs moving as it keeps your time.  Of course, that will be hidden again once I’m finished re-furbishing its bell-shaped case.

    The picture to your left indicates that I’m finally done with the Ten Painting Challenge by Friday (and it’s Friday).  I finished up late last night and was feeling paranoid.  So, like any person who’s been up way too late digitizing their artwork and reading about the Pinterest member content policies via LockerGnome: http://www.lockergnome.com/social/2012/02/23/how-to-use-pinterest-without-breaking-the-law/trackback/ (not to mention heeding the warnings of my fellow peer, Cindy Schnackel via her Copyright Journal) I put my info all over this downloadable picture.  It’s hard enough to make a living as an artist in such a competitive field, but, to read what Pinterest really thinks of your rights as an intellectual property owner is just sad.  Because of this, I ask that you please don’t “pin” my work on Pinterest.

    Again, a very special ‘thank you’ to KD Mernin for getting the ball rolling on my 10 painting challenge.  Check out her work here: www.kdmernin.com and see both our works this weekend at the Funky February Weekend with the Mt. Airy Art Garage (11 West Mt. Airy Avenue, Philadelphia, PA – 12-6pm Saturday & 12-5pm Sunday).

  • When Pigs Dance

    Acrylic on Canvas 8″ x 6″

    Another day, another table, and here are two pigs.  Pigs are interesting.  Most anyone who visits a farm can hear its bellowing snort that might be cute if it didn’t rattle bones and echo up the valley.

    They kinda remind me of the American Pit Bull in form.  This may be the beginning of a new series…

    Acrylic on Canvas 8″ x 6″