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Creating Space with Abstraction: Interview with Ellen Mcconnell

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ELLEN MCCONNELL, Green Tri, "Eight Squared Series," 48"x48," $750

ELLEN MCCONNELL, Green Tri, “Eight Squared Series,” 48″x48,” $750

In one of my frequent trips to the Cottonwood Heights’ Whole Foods, I remember sitting at the cafe and contemplating the delightful abstraction of Ellen Mcconnell.  Her works included a playful collage of letters and numbers layered on canvas.  Code perhaps or visual message?  In any case, it forced me and other viewers to think.  (Always a healthy habit!)  Meaning isn’t handed to us on a plate; that’s the power of abstraction.  It hits us with the unexpected, and we have to consider context, trends, traditions, and our own preconceived notions in order to come up with possible meaning.  It’s never just as simple as “girl under tree” or “scene of downtown Salt Lake.”

It’s rare to find an artist that creates primarily with paint and canvas instead of with computers.  What inspires such an artist to pick up a brush and start?  According to Mcconnell, she created with a specific goal in mind.   “I think what initially inspired my art path was the awareness of space proximity and arrangement in the places I lived. The idea of creating a piece of art for a particular spot is very appealing.”

ELLEN MCCONNELL, Crossword, "Eight Squared Serie,". 48"x48," $750, April 2013

ELLEN MCCONNELL, Crossword, “Eight Squared Serie,”. 48″x48,” $750, April 2013

While location becomes key to Mcconnell’s art, why did she choose abstraction over representational work?  “I’ve always thought that if you’re going to paint realism, why not take a picture?  Abstract painting has always been a fit for me.  I love the looseness of that structure; the audience can write their own story. And of course, all the while, I’m writing mine.”

Mcconnell’s latest works seem inspired from such abstract greats as Piet Mondrian.  Her newest series includes his similar interest in limited palette, symmetry, line, and shape.  Yet, context and inspiration vary widely.  While Mondrian’s abstraction attempted to emphasize a universal quality, Mcconnell renders her work context-specific.  Mcconnell continues,”My latest series, ‘Eight Squared,’ was inspired by a contemporary mid-century modern house. There’s an obvious contagion with new trends, and I think there’s value in paying attention to what’s currently speaking to people. This same principle has served me in my design work; I practice the art of honoring people’s visions while utilizing my own artistic template.”

Mcconnell’s vision includes “acrylics and oils on large-scale canvas.”  This taste for expanse extends to her interior design, as well.  “I do the same with interior design renovations, utilizing the whole space as a canvas.”  She also favors “simple lines and bold colors.”  In Mcconnell’s hands, our living space can become a work of art.

 

ELLEN MCCONNELL, Dwell, "Eight Squared Series," 48"x60," $950, April 2013

ELLEN MCCONNELL, Dwell, “Eight Squared Series,” 48″x60,” $950, April 2013

With our modern awareness of earlier artistic styles and artists, who inspires this modern abstractionist and designer?  “I’ve always been most drawn to Picasso and to his simple, yet intense interpretation of images.  I fell in love with his style in junior high and followed his development with great interest. I was able to view much of his original work in a recent trip to Barcelona.”

Mcconnell grew up with a passion for Picasso, and she also grew up with a passion for color.  “I am told that my first words as a child were the colors of the rainbow. I suppose being tuned in to color from an early age informed the way I use it, and mixing and placing color comes naturally to me.”

With such natural passions for art, how can artists succeed in a struggling economy?  “Luckily, I have the opportunity to use my creativity to support myself in my career as a hair stylist. The struggling economy did compromise my art sales, but it also presented me with opportunities for interior design work.”  It comes as no surprise that Mcconnell is also considered a color specialist in her styling job.

What advice does Mcconnell have for other burgeoning artists?  “Treat yourself like a professional. Use high quality supplies. Don’t skimp on paintbrushes, good paint, or canvases.”

To experience more of Mcconnell’s works, refer to her website at: http://www.ellenmcconnell.com.



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