Pastel paintings, mixed media on paper
At very young age I started to draw and in my teens having private lessons from different qualified artists at their studios before going to the Art Academy Minerva. Nature is important to me making sketches and snapshots of flowers, trees and plants using those to create a personal impression of the natural beauty and not a realistic image. For example, I like the photographic, interesting, abstract effects of the wind when it moves branches and stalks. With the combination of washed ink ( Indian ink diluted with water in various degrees ), charcoal and pastels I created an unique style with picturesque results. I invented this method myself during Art School and had my final exams with this technique. Besides old Italian masters my artworks are influenced by 16th century ink wash masters like Hasegawa Tòhaku and Sesshù Tòyò with their overwhelming landscapes and the famous French 18th century pastelmasters like Rosalba Carriera and Quentin de la Tour.
Actual news
Art is an integral part of community engagement and can be a powerful catalyst and a scource of dialoque, learning, exploring and building the future. Click on menu: Gallery, the waters of Venice
Venice in the Heart of climate and culture actions 2024
Its 12 o'clock the alarm bells are ringing and fast actions are needed against the rising sea-level and climate change!! Even nowadays climate refugees are acknowledged.
We are working to an unique interdiciplinary artshow in Venice in collaboration with ART and constructions companies, Water - management . With the focus to the MOSE Dam and the annual floods. Organized by Europa Nostra at 28 september was the launching of the European Heritage Community Hub in Venice and to put Venice in the Heart of Culture and Climate actions!
Click the image below for more information about The Water & Arts project >Venice
Video gallery
About me
I am a Dutch artist based in Amsterdam. When I was seventeen, I visited Rome, Milan, Florence for a study-trip to Italy for the first time. Admiring the works of the many Renaissance artists, like Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Del Sarto, Botticelli. These famous artists where of great influence in my career later.
Inspired by the special Italian southern light, the lightness and the delightfull color shades in the Italian Artworks of the old masters were of influence in my Pastelpaintings.
Ellen Grael
The Radiant waters of Venice, 100 x 140cm, 39x62inch
Contact
Please feel free to contact me directly for more information about the art and services I offer. I am always ready to answer your questions.