Meet Ellen Rich | Fine Art Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ellen Rich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ellen, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk-taking has always been a part of my life. I was Valedictorian of my high school class and also voted “most likely to succeed”. I was an exchange student to Norway for the year after high school. I was “supposed to” go to college, but once there, it just seemed like a game I was not willingly to play! Not that college is bad, but I always had the heart of an entrepreneur. My father was a rice farmer and my mother was a teacher turned “stay at home” mom. So, I grew up with independent people who worked for themselves. I am 70 now and Looking back, I have taken more risks than I have “settled” for security.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I had a dream…. I was 18 and bought a starter oil painting kit. I had a vision that I would paint some day when I was old and gray. I have always been a creative, but I never cracked a tube until 16 years later in 1987, after watching the great Bill Alexander on PBS. I said to myself: ”I could paint that!” I painted a lot the first year, but as a single parent, love and responsibility took time. I have been seriously and daily pursuing my Art the last 5 years. Carol Marine of Daily Paintworks has greatly influenced me and promotes painting every day, which I do. I have taken online art courses and business courses, too. I am most proud of my consistency. Two quotes have been a constant encouragement: “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.”—William Arthur Ward and “Don’t think about making Art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art!”—Andy Warhol. I believe in Jesus, the power of prayer, and just plain old working hard at creating.

My husband and I took a big risk 10 years ago to live in our RV full-time, so we could be “bi-coastal grandparents”. We divide our time between Florida and California. I created a mini art studio in our dining room, which works perfectly! 

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Flagstaff! I only lived there 6 months, but the city was indelibly stamped on my heart.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My “shoutout” is to my parents and to my school teachers, who influenced my thinking and confidence. My parents were in their 40’s when I was born. Consequently, I was introduced to many interesting adults and often preferred them to my peers. Currently, my husband, Dennis, is my biggest fan & supporter in my art business. He is the wind beneath my wings!

Website: TheArtOfLN.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theartofln

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheArtofLN

Other: Email: Ellen.rich26@gmail.com