Ellen Hedfield

I create large-format watercolor paintings that celebrate the beauty and dignity of the ordinary – the abandoned, forgotten, and overlooked. I am an engineer by profession, which influences my choice of subject matter:  buildings, vehicles, signage, and equipment. Working from my own photographs and using a tightly-framed composition, I depict in detail the weathered surfaces and materials – wood and glass, metal and stone – and use bold color to portray textures and decay. I begin with a detailed plan, first laying down large, pigment-heavy “wet-in-wet” washes, then progressively add layers of detail to create texture. With emphasis on highlights and deep shadows, my subjects – with their peeling paint, rusty metal, and broken glass – come alive in three dimensions. I aim to elevate my subjects in appreciation of the stories they tell and in celebration of the dignity of their work. 

These paintings also capture the sense of freedom and discovery I feel when I’m on the road, exploring wide-open spaces, small towns, and big cities. Pulling a U-turn in the middle of the desert, stopping along the side of the highway to go take a closer look. Wandering down an alley or inside an abandoned building. Peeking over the fence of an old factory or exploring a ghost town, discovering hidden treasures. I capture the sense of place and history I experience in their presence.