Elaine Moynihan Lisle, artist
 

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Artist Statement

My paintings have been described as "the exhuberant expression of people engaged in life." Even when I paint a landscape without figures, I prefer to paint places that include some evidence of human activity.

 Although I love to work en plein air (outdoors from life), I complete my larger works in the studio from reference sketches and photographs. I work only in oil, because I love the texture, and the range of color it provides.  Often I will complete a small study on site, then complete a larger painting in the studio.

 I prefer bright warm colors, the long shadows of late afternoon, and some challenge in the composition. I like the composition to be complex, so the viewer has much to contemplate. At the same time I often remove elements in the actual landscape if they don't work well with the composition. I might leave the trash out, but put in the newspaper boxes, because I like the bright colors and shapes. My paintings are thoughtful pictures of people engaged in living in a bright, colorful, changing world.