Ellie Taylor

"Elinor(Ellie)Parham Taylor was born and raised in Houston, Texas. After teaching elementary school all over Texas for 33 years, she retired early because, she says, "When I grow up, I want to be an artist." She studied art with Earline Barnes in El Paso, Texas for about 6 years. After retiring she went back to college to study under Jo Taylor and Dr. Ollie Theisen. Barnes drilled into her that art should make a statement, not tell a story. Less said the better, or keep it simple. Do not overstate. Van Gogh is her favorite master artist, and she admires the work and styles of Sergei Bongart and Fechin. Ellie agrees with the philosophy of William Wendt who said that his art becomes an "adoration sign devoted to the Trinity." Ellie and her husband now live at Holly Lake Ranch north of Tyler. Her husband just retired from the pastorate, and they plan to travel. "I paint for the love of art and for the passion that my Lord has given me." September 20, 2004 Update Ellie Taylor of Holly Lake Ranch The question asked often is how long did it take you to paint that painting. The answer is 23 years, which is how long I have been painting. A painting needs to be studied in order for you to grow. Another question often asked is how do you know when a painting is finished. The answer is when you do not have it any longer. My husband often asks me why I keep painting the same thing, and I tell him that if I ever get right I`ll stop. In 2002, my work was accepted into the Salon International Show at Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio where it received the Artistic Merit Award. The judge CW Mundy said, “Your painting has the spirit of painting in plein air.” I have painted plein air, sketched outdoors, used pictures to remind me of a scene, painted from memory, and from setups. All my paintings must include the artist’s first impression of what is being painted. I want my art to express feeling, aesthetic beauty, awe, and drama. I use exaggerated color and bold impressionistic strokes.