Portraiture and Scenic Commissions
'Every child begins the world again.' - Henry David Thoreau
I love bringing memorable scenes and portraits of loved ones and their animal friends to life, or both all in one like the one shown above in part.
I cut my painting teeth drawing family pets, my sisters, and not least, my favorite subject, horses, for the sheer joy of it. Through constantly trying to improve and referring to a lot of "How to..." books, I learned the basics of fine art; dimension, perspective, shading and many other drawing and painting skills. I sold my first painting to another student who fell in love with it in a high school art class. What I learned over my career's early days from the comments of others was priceless, that I was capturing not only likenesses, but the spirit, the soul of my subjects in a way that brought a two-dimensional work of art to life.
Since those early days I've drawn and painted many portraits - totally freehand, unlike artists tracing AI - and places that are meaningful to my clients.
Today, due to the high demand for my original paintings and my desire to make each painting the best it can possibly be, I have to limit how many commissions I take to four in a calendar year.
My pricing is calculated on size, medium and complexity of the painting. I have a sliding scale. This is to be fair to all investors. I am happy to answer your questions regarding your specific painting, but I must have some basics to give you a firm price. This is best determined in person when you provide photographs and we have some back and forth discussion.
I prefer to get started with a meeting, but we can also talk on the phone. Please call the studio at (302) 539-3405 or email me to arrange an appointment. You might find me by just stopping in during my studio's regular open hours, but it's not guaranteed if I have my hands in paint and can't stop or have a previous appointment.
Initial consultations, and all consultations once we've agreed upon the painting process begins, are free. We can meet in my studio and/or via phone and can communicate via email and text when needed.
A few Scenic Commissions
Beebe Healthcare Commission Award for SouthCoastal Cancer Treatment Center Lobby in Millville, Delaware.
"Tranquility," 72" x 36" oil on canvas
At right is "Sea Glass Beach," a 36" x 36" oil on gallery-wrapped canvas.
This was a private commission of a secluded beach on Abaco Island in the Bahamas, painted from a small photograph provided by the collector and further research into the microbiologic structure of the coral cliffs.
Bits of sea glass from this beach were incorporated into the painting in the places where the clients found them.
"You Raise Me Up... so I can stand on mountains". The name was inspired by the song produced by Secret Garden. The painting is 52" wide private commission of the client's photograph of view from an overlook in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
"Golden Rhapsody," oil on canvas, private collection. I was inspired to paint this scene when a client approached me about purchasing it. It is now in a home in northern Delaware. Limited edition giclee reproductions are available.
A Few Examples of People Portraits in Oils, Pastels and Pencil
Click images to see larger and/or read the paintings' stories
Above, pencil sketch on paper of Albert Einstein.
Above is Maggie, commissioned by her grandfather, in pencil and white chalk on grey Canson paper.
"Maggie's portrait looked more like her than the photo Ellen Rice was given. We love it!" - Maggie's father.
Above is a pencil drawing of a close friend's daughter learning to ride in Zambia.
Animal Portraits
"We asked Ellen to paint a picture of our three dogs with our backyard setting.
It came out so lifelike that it looks like a photograph ~ only better ~ because she captured their three separate personalities. We couldn't be happier. I highly recommend anyone who is thinking of getting a portrait or any other painting done to get in touch with Ellen. She is amazing!" -- R. Raab
"Abby". portrait in oils of a client's dog who had passed on. When she saw it, she took the painting off the easel and held it to her chest sobbing.
Annie, in "Anticipation."
"When we let Maximillian (above) into the room where we'd just had his portrait hung. He ran over to it barking and raised up and put his paws on the frame and woofed again.... It looked so real he thought it was another dog." - J. Geiting, Wilmington, Delaware.
Above, left, is Gracie. Those who frequented Farmer Girl Exotic Gardens in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, may have been greeted by Gracie sitting at the counter. Sadly, Gracie and her owner have both passed, but family has this memory.