Ellen de Groot
Selfportrait Bride, 97x63cm, 2002
The depiction of women is the most important theme in my work. Furthermore the painting of tissue and the qualtity of cloth-materials is of considerable importance. After a foundation course in Art and drawing followed with a fashion-design course, I discovered around my 25th year 'the wonderful world of oil-paint'. Almost my whole life I had been drawing, but oil paint was a straightforward revelation. 'Love at first sight'.
My main inspirational sources are the Flemish Primitives, Memling, Rogier van der Weyden as well as Hans Holbein. Their work is the model of perfection in painting technique, material-expression, composition and the use of color. It breathes the peace and harmony which I also want in my own work
The painting on the left is my very first self-portrait. After a difficult time in my life, still undamaged, portrayed as a bride. Oil on panel, as all my paintings.
Directory International Arts Montmartre Paris French