Ellen Fuller

30" x 48" Acrylic on Canvas

This painting, Masked, was in the Sacred Body Show at the Lensic Performance Center in Santa Fe, NM and then displayed at the Wheelhouse Art Gallery. I was given a present by a local artist to have my photo taken. The photographer said I could use any of her props. I gravitated to a mask with feathers, put it on and felt totally uninhibited. Hence the idea for this painting arose.

30” x 40” Acrylic on Canvas

Just when I thought the painting of my model Vincent was complete, my journey with breast cancer, chemotherapy and radiation began. Unintentionally during this time I taped a Xerox copy of Vincent’s face, which was my reference material, onto the canvas. There were days when getting out of bed was difficult. For almost two years, throughout treatment, the painting sat on an easel. Daily I’d force myself into my studio and stare at Vincent’s profile with the Jemez Mountains in the background. When I felt well enough to pick up a paint brush I decided to hide most of his face by painting the taped on Xerox copy exactly how I had seen it. I then painted him getting smaller and smaller and in the painted version of the Xerox copy I drew his face in white pencil disappearing into the universe.

9” x 11” Acrylic on Clay Board

This painting evoked many different responses. My idea was that a father went surfing and left his daughter to fend for herself at the beach. She went in the water and got caught in a wave and was tumbled around and came up scared with seaweed on her head. Someone said,” She is precious and fills me with wonder as if she is discovering the magic of life.” Someone else said,” The first feeling I get is a mild frustration, like perhaps an older sibling or bully dumped seaweed on the child’s head and a photo was snapped before the child reacted.” Another person said, “She must be a mermaids daughter. “ Another thought was that symbolically, the girl represents future generations in the toxic mess we’ve left behind. Another comment was that the girl reminded my friend of the joy of getting messy in nature. It was interesting to get such varied comments.

9” x 11” Acrylic on Clay Board

I was on-line listening to music and clicked on another musician and that music touched me. I decided to do a portrait of the artist. It turned out he lived in my town and I got in touch with him to tell him a painted his portrait. He came over and I gave him the painting. The following week he came back with his girlfriend and played his music.

11” x 14” Acrylic on Pastel Board

Clara died Saturday June 12th, 2021 doing what she loved, riding her KLR 650 motorcycle at only 48. She was my dear friend. Clara was one of the most courageous and loving people that I knew and made friends everywhere she went, worldwide. She inspired by living a life filled with adventure, athleticism, artistry, compassion and dynamic leadership.

11’ x 14” Acrylic on Pastel Board

Clara held many prominent professions some of which included Wildland Helitak crew supervisor, engine wildland firefighter, aircraft rescue firefighter, facilities manager and professional featherweight boxer. Clara was a certified yoga instructor, and coached fighting at ANK Santa Fe Muy Thai as well as boxing at Rock Steady Boxing Santa Fe for individuals with Parkinson's. She was a social activist, volunteer for Mother Teresa and the Sisters of Charity in India (House for the Dying, Leper Colony and an orphanage,) world traveler to over twenty-six countries, Muy Thai fighter, model, tango dancer, singer and electric bass player in a band, intercontinental dual sport motorcyclist, ultra-marathon runner, beekeeper, writer, mentor, coach, warrior, godmother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt and dear friend.