Ethelinda

“There are paintings everywhere in nature. Whenever I see one, I am usually so thrilled I want to scale the subject large, so that the viewer can really see how beautiful and fascinating it is. To me, the impact of a canvas has to do with exciting broad strokes foiled by intricate detail rendered in the high relief oil paint affords. I try to paint things as they have not been seen before: impromptu, sometimes with an aspect of humor. Whether it is a horse or a pomegranate the subject is real, completely absorbing and demanding: whatever it takes, I want the viewer to see what I see.”

Ethelinda was born in Hawaii. She recalls sketching the characters within the books her grandmother would read to her as a child. Her mother, also an artist, studied with Nicolai Fechin and just said, “really look at what you are painting.” Ethelinda received a B.A. in art and English literature from the University of the Pacific in Northern California then went on to learn French and paint café scenes in Switzerland. She traveled extensively before settling in New Mexico.

“Throughout my career, I have painted horses. They are mystical creatures. I am particularly drawn to the black and white, spotted Paints and Appaloosas. They create patterns all on their own. Then there is no conformation or dance like that of the Andalusian. Burros and longhorns followed. Then birds, cows, fruit, vegetables – who knows what will come next? My favorite work is always on the easel.”

Ethelinda’s work is featured in permanent collections at the Booth Museum in Atlanta, Georgia and the Nelson Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming.