Ellen Fuller

36" x 48" Acrylic on Canvas

This took a year to paint. The Great Egret was wading in water at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island, Florida. The stark contrast of the soft white feathers against the dark gnarled wood fascinated me. My work is about visual intimacy and results from intense observation: a process of immersion that involves my contemplation and concentration, frustration and exhilaration. I create a series of preliminary sketches from my own photos and use a magnifying glass and a subtle layering of glazes to achieve realistic meticulously rendered paintings that are sometimes mistaken for photographs.

30" x 40" Acrylic on Canvas

The reference photograph was taken at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel Island. Florida. The Anhinga, also know as Snakebird, keeps it’s head and neck above water. It doesn't have oil in its feathers to repel water, thus it can swim underwater in pursuit of fish. It must dry off in the sun before it can fly. It has a very sharp beak tapering to a point so it can spear fish underwater. They have a long thin tail with a banded tip.

11" x 14" Acrylic on Canvas

I painted this bird contained within a small space, using subtle coloring in the feathers.

36" x 60" Acrylic on Canvas

The Dancing Cranes of Hokkaido, Japan are among the most striking birds on earth and a symbol of purity, longevity, peace, love and faithfulness. They mate for life.

What I hoped to capture in my painting was the timeless beauty and harmony of their dance as their offspring lands to watch.

24" x 72" Acrylic on Canvas

I had a fabulous time photographing these birds at dawn and dusk. When I got back to my studio it was fun composing this painting, which reminds me of musical notes.

The sandhill crane, known as Grus Canadensis, begin swimming when they are just hours old.The Sandhill crane makes one of the longest migrations of any bird in the world, flying from eastern Siberia to North America. These Sandhill cranes sometimes even fly as far south as Mexico.

6" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

I was driving down a road in Florida and came upon this scene and was fascinated by the reflections in the still water. The Anhinga (also known as the Snakebird) was flying low in front of the grasses. Usually I have seen this type of bird on a log drying off because it doesn’t have oil in its feathers to repel water, thus it can swim underwater in pursuit of fish. It must dry off in the sun before it can fly. So I was thrilled to see it flying.

16" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

I experimented with a new technique and painted on clayboard still using acrylic paint but much thinner so it looks like watercolor.

This painting is much smaller, with less detail. In this fast-paced electronic world, my paintings reintroduce the viewer to the natural world, hopefully bringing a sense of connection and renewal. Nature’s beauty lies in its intricacies and minutiae that are often overlooked. I want to communicate my love of nature and offer an opportunity to pause and reflect on the magical gifts of nature. My hope is that it will encourage you to notice the beauty that surrounds us. My acrylic paintings arise from the joy I feel when I’m experiencing this diversity. It’s about discovery.