ARTIST STATEMENT

Nature evolves and so must the artist. Ellen Gamble’s recent work reflects a self-imposed challenge to maximize the use of watercolors within the boundaries of a nine inch by nine inch format.

Coming from a background in oils, Ellen was intrigued by the possibilities of watercolor paint. She began to experiment and found that she could build up the pigment into brilliant surfaces with textural impact. Today she layers on color, first a transparent film, then pushing the color deeper and deeper.

Historically Ellen was inspired by large canvases that easily filled the space. An abrupt switch to the 9-inch by 9-inch size came about unexpectedly during the pandemic. Ellen’s curiosity about the limits of the medium drove her desire to see a finished work sooner, and the smaller size made this possible. Evolving, she now appreciates the immediacy of the 9 x 9 format.

Ellen’s roots in abstract expressionism are nonetheless evident in her new work, characterized by geometric shapes, dynamic lines and vibrant, contrasting colors. Yet here and there organic shapes are seen, as sunbursts, shells and other natural forms emerge. The natural forms play off the geometric surfaces to reflect Ellen’s journey as an artist whose richly layered floral paintings were noteworthy for symbolic organic shapes. She continues to be inspired by movement in nature, brilliant colors, rich textures and captivating layers.

RESUME

EDUCATION
2008 Art Students League, New York, NY
1982-83 UNC Chapel Hill, Studio art classes with focus on painting. Studied with visiting NY artist Doug Sanderson
1980 BS Physical Education, Specialization in Recreation Therapy. Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 Flowers and Nature Series, Apple Gallery, Stokes County Arts Council, Danbury, NC
2021 Ellen Gamble New Abstract Work, Hampton Inn and Suites, Raleigh, NC
2019 Arthur S. DeBerry Family Gallery for Botanical Art and Illustrations, Chapel Hill, NC
2015 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC
2012 Nine New Nature Paintings, RebusWorks, Raleigh, NC
2012 Featured Artist, Nofo @ The Pig, Raleigh, NC
2011 Retrospective 1983 - 2010, David Bibb Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2010 Karma Gallery, Winston-Salem, NC
2009 Flanders 311 Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2007 Crocker's Mark Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2007 Karma Gallery, Winston-Salem, NC
2005 Helios, Raleigh, NC
2004 Blake Street Studios, Raleigh, NC
2000 Art Advocate, New York, NY
1999 Blue Star Studio, Hoboken, NJ
1999 Block Gallery, Raleigh Arts Commission, Raleigh, NC
1998 Kelly Roland Gallery, Winston Salem, NC
1998 Ravenscroft, Raleigh, NC
1997 Gessner Fine Art
1995 Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
1994 Louisburg College, Louisburg, NC
1989 Haeger Smith and Huffman, Raleigh, NC
1988 The Paper Plant, Raleigh, NC
1986 Palm Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
1985 Dive into Abstract, Food Stamp Gallery, Bronx, NY
.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021 Sertoma Art Center, Raleigh NC
2020 Sertoma Art Center, Raleigh NC
2015-16 Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC
2012 Art of the Auction, juried group exhibition, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh NC
2012 Interiors, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh NC
2012 Two Person Show, Rebus Works, Raleigh, NC
2012 Featured Artist, Nofo Cafe, Raleigh, NC
2012 Group Holiday Exhibition, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2011 Group Holiday Exhibition, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2010 Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2007 Featured Artist, Flanders Art Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2006 Glance Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2003 Alice Ehrlich and Her Students, Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2002 The Museum of Natural Science, Raleigh, NC
1997 Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh, NC
1997 Gessner Art, Raleigh, NC
1996 Duke University School of Law, Durham, NC
1995 Block Gallery, Raleigh Arts Commission, Raleigh, NC
1994 Lee Hansely Gallery, Raleigh, NC
1994 Art Source, Raleigh, NC
1993 Lee Hansley Gallery, Raleigh NC
1987 Vital Spaces, Mokatov Gallery, New York, NY
1987 Elder Gallery, Lincoln, NE
1986 ABC No Rio, New York, NY
1985 M-13, New York, NY
1984 Artist in the Marketplace, Bronx Museum of Art, Bronx, NY
1984 Palm Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
1983 Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Winston-Salem, NC
.
PRINTS
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Store, Raleigh, NC
.
CORPORATE REPRESENTATION
1996-2007 Rosenberg + Kaufman Fine Arts, New York, NY
.
AWARDS AND GRANTS
1999 Arts Education Program, United Arts Council of Raleigh, and Wake County
1999 Regional Artist Project Grant, United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County
1999 Purchase, City of Raleigh
1995 Emerging Artist Grant, Raleigh Arts Commission

CONTACT

gamble.ellen@yahoo.com
(919) 802.4148