“Bullfight in Arles”
Oil
36 x 48 in.
$12,500
About the Artist:
Coffee is intrigued with how pedestrians are engaged by their surroundings; how they relate, or do not relate with one another. The gestures and body language of her subjects become critical communication in her paintings.
“The figure has always been my primary focus,” Coffee says, “whether in portraits, or as part of an environment. I like to refer to my approach as contemporary, ‘genre’ painting – capturing people moving through their daily lives, gathering in restaurants, wandering through museums, even riding subways.”
Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and having completed studies at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, New York, urban life was a natural subject matter for the artist. Visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art inspired her first, “slice of life” paintings. She found herself focusing more on the people than the artwork itself. This observant sense of her surroundings became a primary component of her work.
Gathering material through sketches and photographs, Coffee composes paintings in the studio, pulling subject matter from several sources. Sometimes the sources are close at hand, such as her husband, John. For 18 years she has relayed personal experiences in her depictions of him on canvas.
Coffee’s work can be seen at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, AZ January 14 – March 26, 2017. The Celebration of Fine Art is a unique art experience which gives visitors the opportunity to watch 100 artists in their working under one roof. Open daily from 10 am–6 pm. Visitors enjoy strolling through the 100 artist studios under the 40,000 square foot exhibit tent. Artists are on-site creating, allowing for the visitor to watch them at work, discover what inspires them and the techniques used to create the works of art. Come to Scottsdale to see more of Coffee’s works in person and discover the stories behind each unique work of art.
http://celebrateart.com/artsy_gallery/elaine-coffee/
