Ellie Reinhold

I’ve been making art of various sorts since the 80s. In this century, up until around 2014, my paintings, though not realistically representational, were usually narrative and figurative.

My involvement with landscape was sparked by a particular experience around 15 years ago. I was overwhelmed by the fall foliage color—and it absolutely demanded to be expressed in the studio. Manifested as an intense physical pressure in my chest and an absolute obsession with being IN the color, I couldn’t do anything but deal with it! So I turned myself loose in a series of small paintings with color and painting knives (the color wanted to go on thickly and loosely).

Initially I thought I’d get this out of my system quickly–just a hiccup in the studio. But it turns out they kind of took over. The process grew and changed with various inspirations. My figurative work faded as landscape work remained and grew. During the pandemic, my figurative impulse re-emerged, but not with a human figure. The main “character” in my work since 2020, in addition to my ever-present trees, is a small decrepit wooden play structure. It has been living in my images since.