Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellen Eagle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ellen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Not only did my parents do right, my brother did/does right, and my husband did/does right. When I was 4, my mother came upon a drawing in the living room that she assumed had been done by my 11 year old brother. When David told her that it was I who had drawn it, she took me in one hand and the drawing in the other and ran us down to the local art supply store. Throughout her life, her attention and support for my artwork never wavered. In addition, she set an example for me of her work ethic and her impeccable standards of precision in making her clothing patterns. My father had a compassionate and poetic sensibility that profoundly shaped my brother and me. My brother began his college studies at City College. In the neighborhood, he continually saw young teenagers carrying portfolios and musical instruments. He stopped one to inquire into the frequency of the sightings. The young musician told him “we go to the High School of Music and Art.” David then phoned me from his Upper West Side apartment. I quote him: “Ellen, I know where in this world you belong.” My husband gave me his entire inheritance from his mother to convert our dark one-windowed attic into a natural- light-filled cathedral of a studio. These four magnificent people blessed me with love, belief, support and opportunity.

Ellen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always loved to draw people. In nursery school I was named the class artist. My first sale was at 10 years of age when I drew a portrait of my friend Ramona. Her mother offered me $10 for it. My development as an artist was organic: very early recognition, museum and Art Students League classes as a child, High School of Music and Art, college art classes. After college, looking around for a way to earn a living, I gravitated towards children’s book illustration. I put a portfolio together and started getting work that was satisfying on numerous levels. However, I felt the need for what would be, for me, a deeper artistic engagement. I returned to the Art Students League to study anatomy and portrait and figure drawing and painting.. My teacher, Harvey Dinnerstein, carried the mantle of support with which my parents had initially blessed me. At the same time, the League’s archivist began to ask me to write articles for Linea, the school journal. I discovered an abiding love for the exploration and illumination stimulated by writing. Harvey often told me of his admiration for my writings, which included a bit of poetry. When he semi-retired, he recommended to the administration that I take over his class. This is how I came to teaching, which became another love of mine. Somehow, a senior editor at Watson-Guptill, the art book division of Random House Publishers, became aware of my articles, and invited me to write a book about my medium, pastel. The result is Pastel Painting Atelier, Watson-Guptill, NY. My exhibitions and publications have led to workshops throughout the United Staes and overseas and to public speaking engagements.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic disallowed social gathering, my portrait painting practice was halted: I could not have anyone to my studio. Whenever someone sits for me, I can’t help but wonder what experiences and influences brought him/her to this day. Alone in my studio, I became perhaps even more self-reflective than usual. I thought about my mother’s influences on me, and I began a portrait of the two of us that tells a decades-long story. The process of creating the portrait is extremely different than any I have developed before, and I am excited to see the form reflect the content with fidelity.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to be as open as possible to my sitters’ inner light and vitality and to successfully convey my response to him/her. I believe we both become vulnerable to each other’s delicacy and strength.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elleneagleportraits.com
• Instagram: ellen.eagle.7
• Facebook: Ellen Eagle
• Other: Pastel Society of America Facebook page; Pastel Society of America Youtube; New Masters Academy teaching videos

Image Credits

Peter Jacobs Fine Arts Photography; Gordon Leavitt