Eleanor Gilpatrick

I came back to painting at a time when some people think about ending their productive lives. I have created my life several times, and this has been the best so far. Drawing and painting have permitted me to open my inner life and my connections to the world and to the people and places I love. I affirm life and celebrate beauty, but in 2007 my muse asked me to show the contrasts in the world: the modern sublime, where beauty and terror combine. My work continues to tell about the awe and wonder the eye can see, but it now looks further afield to enter the ranks of artists who speak out about the world.

I am engaged with modern issues of color and composition within a contemporary realist context; the paintings say "look at what I see." And despite commercial pressures I still refuse to allow or make reproductions of my art. They are original works in every sense of the word, and my collectors can rely on that.


Portfolio:

PLACES I LOVE IN AMERICA

These are places I have fallen in love with or that have captured my attention in America and my beloved New York City. These original paintings are signed and dated on the back. I send a letter of provenance, which increases the value of the work; I ship free in the United States.

April Dune “April Dune”

April Dune shows that a Hamptons beach in New York is just the place to be in April. The painting is 23 inches high by 34 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

A Walk On The Beach “A Walk On The Beach”

A Walk On The Beach is a portrait of my iconic friend at the beach in Montauk, NY, on a day in September. It was peaceful and invigorating to walk along the surf. The painting is part of my "Places I Love In America" series. It is acrylic on canvas, 21 inches high by 13 inches wide, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

East Hampton Light “East Hampton Light”

East Hampton Light reflects the April weather, when there can be misty days in the Hamptons; and then it is a different world. The painting is 23 inches high by 33 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Fishing At Stony Brook “Fishing At Stony Brook”

Fishing At Stony Brook is a view above the grist mill. As we stood there on the bridge, suddenly he was there. He caught three fish as we watched. The painting is 23 inches high by 30 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

From The Governor's Palace, Santa Fe “From The Governor's Palace, Santa Fe”

From The Governor's Palace, Santa Fe is set at twilight in Santa Fe. We were in the courtyard of the Governor's Palace. The clouds could have been painted by M.J. Heade, one of my favorite Hudson River School painters. This is my homage to him. It is 28 (h) by 46 (w) inches, acrylic on stretched canvas. on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Hampton Beach “Hampton Beach”

Hampton Beach evokes the ocean and the beach in April, when it is pristine. The painting is 23 inches high by 37 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

On The Beach “On The Beach”

On The Beach tells of when my friend and I walked on the beach in East Hampton in April...and she was irresistible as an icon, besides being my best friend. The painting is 24 inches high by 38 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Secret “Secret”

Secret is a view in Stony Brook, NY, behind the grist mill. There was this abandoned boat...someone's secret? This is is 27 (h) by 17 (w) inches, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Jemez Profile “Jemez Profile”

Jemez Profile is a view outside Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the land turns red and one can see faces in the land formations. The painting is acrylic on stretched canvas, 30 inches high by 32 inches wide. It is framed with a shadow frame that cuts nothing off the picture, which appears to float). The framed dimensions are 32 by 34 inches.

Places I Love In Europe

I have been lucky enough to have visited and fallen in love with countries in Europe such as Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, and Norway, where I took many photographs and later created paintings. I am delighted to share some of those with you in this portfolio. These original paintings are signed and dated on the back. I send a letter of provenance, which increases the value of the work; I ship free in the United States.

In Torcello “In Torcello”

In Torcello is part of my "Inspired By Italy" series. When one takes the Vaporetto to Torcello, in Venice, the first impression is of quiet fields and canals. It is only after one steps from the boat and follows the trail that the wonders of Torcello's history appear. This is that first placid look that I loved. The painting is 24 inches high by 28 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas and framed. The framed dimensions are 26 by 30 inches. The shadow frame cuts nothing out of the picture which seems to float.

Winter Canal “Winter Canal”

Winter Canal is part of my "Inspired By Italy" series. Venice in January is very cold, especially out on the decks of the Vaporetto boats. In the afterglow of the sunset it is hard to make out the details of the houses. The painting is 22 inches high, by 30 inches wide, acrylic on stretched linen, and framed. The shadow frame cuts nothing off a picture, which appears to float. The framed dimensions are 24 inches by 32 inches.

January “January”

January is part of my "Inspired By Italy" series. It was January in Venice, and people were huddled against the cold, in the dusk, waiting for the Vaporetto near San Marco. The painting is 18 inches high by 30 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas. It is framed, 20 inches high by 32 inches wide. The shadow frame cuts nothing off the picture, which appears to float.

Bamboo In Lucca “Bamboo In Lucca”

Bamboo in Lucca is part of my "Inspired By Italy" series. One June I explored the delightful city of Lucca, in Italy. The Palazzo Moriconi Controni Pfanner has a fabulous garden; it is open to the public, and includes a large stand of bamboo that has a path and makes one feel it is native to the spot. I photographed it, and then I painted it. The painting is 26 inches high by 20 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas; the framed dimensions are 28 inches high by 22 inches wide. The shadow frame cuts nothing off the picture, which appears to float.

Port Vel Masts “Port Vel Masts”

Port Vell Masts is part of my "Inspired by Spain" series. The masts of the boats were in view near the waterfront restaurant in the old port of Barcelona. The masts, not the boats.... The painting is 18 inches high by 32 inches wide, acrylic and ink on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

At Pedralbes Monastery “At Pedralbes Monastery”

At Pedralbes Monastery is part of my "Inspired by Spain" series. Pedralbes Monastery is one of the places I visited in Barcelona. The Monastery is a rare three-floor structure and a cool delight in the summer. The painting creates an inside/outside effect. It is 38 inches high by 17 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Sunset, Costa Del Sol “Sunset, Costa Del Sol”

Sunset, Costa del Sol is part of my "Inspired by Spain" series. I used to go to Costa del Sol, Spain in January, between semesters, when I was teaching; and I stayed at the Castillo de Santa Clara, which had rooms looking out over the sea, the beach, and distant towns along the coast. This was a sunset from an open window. Alas, the Castillo is a condo now, and the beaches have been "modernized." The painting is 27 inches high by 30 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, and is framed. The shadow frame cuts nothing off a picture, which appears to float. The framed dimensions are 29 inches high by 32 inches wide.

El Mussol, Upstairs “El Mussol, Upstairs”

El Mussol, Upstairs is part of my "Inspired by Spain" series. This painting portrays people in El Mussol, a restaurant in Barcelona. I was captured by the look of the people and the unusual decor. The painting is 23 inches high by 32 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

View On The Kamchia “View On The Kamchia”

View On The Kamchia is set in Bulgaria, on the Kamchia River. We were in a boat that was going up the river for the joy of it. The side out of view has the houses of fisher people; this side was unspoiled forest, and it was a lush display in October. The painting is 24 inches high by 36 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

The Kalachav Bridge “The Kalachav Bridge”

The Kalachev bridge is in Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria. It was the site of the first shot of the April 1876 uprising of the people against the 500 year rule of the Ottoman Turks. The town itself is a delightful museum village. The painting is 24 inches high by 35 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides; a frame is not necessary.

October In Koprivshtitsa “October In Koprivshtitsa”

October in Koprivshtitsa is part of my "Inspired by Bulgaria" series. It captures the surprises one finds at every turn in Bulgaria. Here is a typical rooftop in old Bulgaria, seen amid the leaves of October. Koprivshtitsa is a wonderful museum town, and I fell in love. The painting is 24 inches high by 15 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides; a frame is not necessary.

Wind Effect I “Wind Effect I”

Wind Effect I is a rare view. The River Kamchia, in Bulgaria, empties into the Black Sea. This day we were in a boat on the river, and were taken to see how the wind, which had been blowing strongly, had reversed the flow of the river, and opened up dry land where the river normally would meet the Black Sea. The Kamchia was BELOW sea level! I was so amazed by the sight that it inspired a few paintings. This is the first, 21(h) by 30(w) inches, acrylic, on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Above Oslo “Above Oslo”

Above Oslo is part of my "Inspired By Norway" series. Norway was a joy every time I went there, and I was there several times, moving between Oslo and Bergen by way of the railroad and by boat on the Sognefjord. This painting recalls a trip to the high hill above Oslo where the Olympics once took place: Holmenkollen. We found a restaurant in a hotel there, and emerged after dinner to see the late-setting sun. The painting is 22 inches high by 35 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Express Boat To Balestrand “Express Boat To Balestrand”

Express Boat To Balestrand is part of my Inspired by Norway series. This painting is about people living their lives. It is on a boat headed to Balestrand from Bergen, Norway. The children were enjoying the rush of the water. And I was enjoying the children. The painting is 20 inches high by 30 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, and is framed. The shadow frame cuts nothing off a picture, which appears to float. The framed dimensions are 22 inches high by 32 inches wide.

Fijord Flight “Fijord Flight”

Fijord Flight captures a morning view from my room on the Songefjord in Norway; a sudden flash of wings. This is 30 (h) by 21 (w) inches; 32 by 23 inches framed, acrylic on stretched canvas.

Fijord View II “Fijord View II”

Fijord View II is part of my "Inspired By Norway" series. That day it rained until afternoon; but we still went out in a boat to see the area around Balestrand on the Sognefijord. The sky was arresting. (This is a variation of Fijord View I, playing on the colors, especially orange and blue.) The painting is 23 x 23 inches, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Abstracts And Nebulas

My abstract paintings are always referential and some suggest the sky. The real world is always with me, but these paintings allow me to leap into emotional brushwork and simplified forms. As to my space landscapes, when I discovered the NASA photos of outer space I found a new world of color, movement, and abstract forms that inspired me to paint in sweeping gestures and vibrant color. I hope my paintings give you the same sense of wonder and joy they give me. These original paintings are signed and dated on the back. I send a letter of provenance, which increases the value of the work; I ship free in the United States.

Seeing Red “Seeing Red”

Seeing Red is an homage to Gabriele Evertz, who had curated a show about the use of red in modern art. This is a red abstract sunset/landscape inspired by her show. It is 28 inches high by 46 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

From Sandia “From Sandia”

From Sandia tells of the time we were high in the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque. This is an abstract response to the vista. It is 32(h) by 46(w) inches, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Mixed Emotions “Mixed Emotions”

Mixed Emotions is an abstract painting that expresses the turmoil one sometimes feels; sadness and angst battling with the sublime in oneself. It is 48 by 48 inches, oil on stretched canvas on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

Sky Lights “Sky Lights”

Sky Lights was created while I was working on another painting set in Montauk, NY. I was attracted to the gentle summer colors of the sunset sky in Montauk, and this was my response. The painting is 12 inches high by 16 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.

The Orion Nebula “The Orion Nebula”

The Orion Nebula is part of my "Nebulas" series. It is based on a NASA photo of The Orion Nebula, named for the Galaxy of which the nebula is a part. This is an unimaginably huge part of the universe where stars are being born. It invoked my love of space, free brush strokes, color, and form; and allowed me the joy of the abstract gesture within a framework of realism. The painting is 16 inches high by 20 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides; a frame is not necessary.

The Swan Nebula “The Swan Nebula”

The Swan Nebula is part of my "Nebulas" series. It is based on a NASA photo. This unimaginably huge part of the universe calls to my love of color and form; it allowed me the joy of the abstract gesture within a framework of realism. It invoked my love of space and free brush strokes. There is an ocean of glowing hydrogen gas and small amounts of other elements such as oxygen and sulfur within the Swan Nebula. The painting is acrylic, 16 inches high by 20 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides, so a frame is not necessary.

The Lagoon Nebula “The Lagoon Nebula”

The Lagoon Nebula is part of my "Nebula" series. As in all the nebulas, I get to work with color and form as in an abstract painting, but within a realist context.

The Lagoon Nebula is in the southern constellation Sagittarius; and can be seen with the naked eye or binoculars. It is considered to be among the finest and brightest star-forming regions in the sky. A huge cloud of interstellar matter, it is undergoing active star formation. The central parts are extremely bright; and it is so large that this painting represents only a small part of the nebula. I am smitten with the GLORY of the nebulas. The painting is based on a NASA photograph, is 16 inches high by 20 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas, on heavy duty stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.t

The Eagle Nebula “The Eagle Nebula”

The Eagle Nebula is based on a NASA photo that shows a vertical image. But I see the eagle when I place the image horizontally, and that is how I painted it. I am in love with the motion. As in all the nebula series I get the joy of free, abstract brushstrokes within a realist context. The Eagle Nebula is in the constellation Serpens, a young, open cluster of a few thousand stars that were formed from a giant molecular cloud. They are still loosely bound to each other by gravitation, and active star formation is still going on. The painting is 16 inches high by 20 inches wide, acrylic on stretched canvas on heavy duty
stretchers, with painted sides. A frame is not necessary.