Ellen Little
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(415) 939-4034
The “Backyard” paintings speak about the interconnectedness and fragility of life. Throughout history flowers have been used to represent fertility and birth while moths have been associated with death. In Latin American folklore the noctuid moth or "mariposa de la muerte” is considered a harbinger of death. So I combine flowers with moths to represent the cycle of life where birth, aging and death are all intertwined and nothing remains constant. My San Francisco backyard is the inspiration and guide for the paintings. I am fascinated by urban green spaces; how they fit into and change the cities around them; how they sustain the native birds and bugs. By magnifying that which is small and temporary I hope to focus attention on the beauty and mystery found in the everyday nature that surrounds us. The loose and spontaneous painting process I use has roots in Abstract Expressionism. When I start a painting, I put down brushstrokes that become a flower or a moth and let the painting evolve as it will. Watercolor is my favorite medium for this improvisational style because it is lush and fluid and changes as the water evaporates from the paint.
