elainefogelart | ElaineFogel Art

Inukshuk -An Inuit cultural symbol

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

“Inukshuk,” isn’t a word you hear often, unless you’re Canadian or of the Inuit people. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia:

“An inukshuk is a figure made of piled stones or boulders constructed to communicate with humans throughout the Arctic. Traditionally constructed by the Inuit, inuksuit are integral to Inuit culture and are often intertwined with representations of Canada and the North.”

“Inuksuit have been found close to archaeological sites dating from 2400 to 1800 BCE in the Mingo Lake region of southwest Baffin Island… Among their many practical functions, they are used as hunting and navigational aids, coordination points and message centres.”

Today, its purpose is more symbolic than functional. Because it looks like a little person, its image has become a popular cross-cultural symbol. An inuksuk is the centrepiece of the flag and coat of arms of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, and the flag of Nunatsiavut as well as serving as a mainstream Canadian national symbol. It is also a symbol of both the city of Vancouver and the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

This painting is based on the inukshuk on English Bay in the city of Vancouver.

See the description here.

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Image of artist, Elaine Fogel holding her original painting of Newfoundland entitled, "Atlantic Lookout"

Atlantic Coast in Newfoundland is Spectacular

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

This original painting of Newfoundland was inspired by a beautiful photo by Tom Cochrane. I follow his Instagram account for images of “the island” and in particular, the Gros Morne National Park, where I camped overnight with my husband (a million years ago).

If you’ve never been to the Maritime provinces of Canada, you’re missing something special. Newfoundland, in particular, is unique with its rugged coastlines, fishing villages, whale watching, and vistas.

It’s made up of two 2 parts: Newfoundland, an island in the Atlantic Ocean; and Labrador on mainland Canada. The musical play, “Come From Away” takes place in Newfoundland during the 9-11 crisis when overseas flights were grounded in Gander for days.

Here’s the painting description.

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Baker (the Dog) in Georgian Bay

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

This original painting of a dog in water was inspired by photo my niece, Ellen, took in Collingwood, Ontario. When she and her significant other, Adam initially merged homes, they each brought their big dogs together, Baker and Baba.

“Located about 2½ hours north of Toronto on the southern shores of Georgian Bay just 11 kilometres (6.7) miles west along the coast from Wasaga Beach this small Simcoe County town has become one of Canada’s fastest growing communities over the last 20 years and almost 20,000 people now call it home.”
Source: Amazing Ontario

They often take the dogs to Sunset Point Beach Park, where they frolic in the shallow water.

During one evening’s outing, Ellen captured an amazing photo of Baker against a stunning sunset sky. I didn’t tell her that I was painting it until I completed it. Her shock and emotion were so sweet that I shipped it to her. It’s now proudly displayed on a wall in their home.

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My New Project for Shelter Kids

Leave a Comment / Whimsical Painting / elainefogelart

This past summer, I donated a set of four paintings of diverse children to Child Crisis Arizona, an organization dedicated to provide children and youth in Arizona a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families.

Its CEO, Torrie Taj, and I had served together on the Greater Arizona Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and I knew how important the organization’s work is, in addition to its leader’s integrity and professionalism.

Child Crisis Arizona, CEO, Torrie Taj

Torrie was thrilled with my gift and said she would place the art in one of the organization’s shelters. Well, that just motivated me to do more! Since then, I’ve been busy with this project, gaining such reward from creating child-themed artwork.

The featured painting above entitled, “Flowers in the Garden,” is painted on a birch board. The second piece (below), entitled, “Aliens in Space,” is on a 24″ x 18″ canvas.

I have already completed a third and am beginning a fourth, after which I will share them with you.

Having fun!! 😊

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Lake Ontario Shoreline – One of a 100 Diverse Beaches

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

Although I grew up in Montreal, Quebec, I was born in Ontario and lived there for 32 years of my life (30 as an adult). It’s no surprise that I gravitated to the reference photo of the lake’s shoreline for this painting.

Here’s what to know about the lake:

It is situated between Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River and is the only Great Lake that does not border the state of Michigan.
Its shoreline consists mostly of low bluffs with narrow beaches.
It is home to approximately 2,000 islands and 100 diverse beaches.
This vast beach system includes the most extensive freshwater sand dunes in New York State.
Every drop of water within the Great Lakes basin flows through Lake Ontario.
It is the 14th largest lake in the world by surface area.
A whopping 25% of Canada’s population lives within the Lake Ontario watershed.

Lake Ontario | Great Lakes Guide

This painting took much more time to create than many of the others I’ve done. There’s quite a bit going on with the merging of water, rocks, trees, and wildflower shrubs. I’m very pleased with the result and I hope you like it, too!

Click here for full details.

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Love is Like Wildflowers

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

“Love is like wildflowers;
It’s often found in the most unlikely places.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

When I was a girl, I was fortunate enough to attend a two-month summer camp near the village of L’Annonciation, Quebec. I adored the rustic grounds in the middle of nowhere and relished being outdoors with nature.

On Friday nights, we frequently picked wildflowers to place in vases on each dining hall table. There were many color varieties which gave our “centerpieces” a festive flair.

Now, as an artist, I tend to gravitate toward nature as subjects for my paintings. Wildflowers, in particular, are favorites including these two pieces.

The one entitled, “Purple Wildflowers,” is of an invasive species called purple loosestrife. Unfortunately, they pose a serious threat to native emergent vegetation in every Canadian province and every American state except Florida, Alaska, and Hawaii.

The one entitled, “Summer Wildflowers” is based on a stunning reference photo taken in the Rio Vista Natural Resource Park in Tucson, Arizona by Hildy Gottlieb.

You can read more details here:

“Purple Wildflowers”

“Summer Wildflowers”

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Colorful Clouds Make a Spectacular Sunset

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

Nature has a way of aweing us. This desert cloud formation was so drop-dead stunning, I had to paint it. The colors are rich with oranges, yellows, reds, and grays. The clouds look like they’re dancing in rhythm to a sweet symphony. They are truly inspiring.

According to InspirationFeed, sunsets symbolize:

Life and death. “As the sun slowly creeps up the horizon, we are reminded of new life sprouting out of fresh ground… Somehow, when the sun sets, it reminds people that there will always be an end looming ahead.”
Hope. “[Sunsets] will give anyone new hope that the next day will be better. It’s something that makes you think about the chances you missed, and how you’re going to bounce back and try again.”
Rest. “When the sun starts setting, it’s hard not to think about how amazing your bed would feel like after such a long day. You may have a few lingering thoughts about work, school, or about your business.”
Beauty. “Sunsets are among the most beautiful things we’re lucky to see almost every day. That beautiful mix of colors lighting up the sky is just breathtaking.”
Wonder. “Any sunset will always be a source of wonder for anyone… How amazing is it that these colors were put together so perfectly, resulting in a perfect palette that lights up the sky in brilliance before everything goes completely dark.”

May all your sunsets bring hope and wonder. ❤️

Check out the painting details here.

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Dreaming of a Better World

Leave a Comment / Portrait Painting / elainefogelart

With covid-19 in its third year, and the war in Ukraine raging, I wanted to create a series of diverse portraits that depict our collective dream for a better world. After all, when injustice and cruelty are rampant, we cannot be silent. We cannot sit back without raising our voices to demand change.

"We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon."

Franklin D. Roosevelt

I decided to focus on four current issues.

social justice
environment
racism and discrimination
peace

In Dreaming of a Better World I (above), I painted an African-American woman conveying her wishes and hopes for social justice.

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope."

Robert Kennedy

In Dreaming of a Better World II, I painted a teenage girl conveying her youthful optimism for a cleaner, more eco-friendly world.

"The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for.”

Ernest Hemingway

In Dreaming of a Better World III, I painted a young brown man conveying his hopes for a world without racism and discrimination.

"Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."

Mahatma Ghandi

In Dreaming of a Better World IV, I painted a a mature white woman conveying her hope that she would see a peaceful world before her life ends.

“It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Although I have painted “pretty” scenes that may bring pleasure to those who enjoy them, I also feel a responsibility as an artist to raise awareness of issues affecting our world. I am deeply troubled by current events and using my art to convey my concerns has proven cathartic. The more of us who take action in whatever form that takes, the better chance we have of changing things.

Check out these organizations with missions that address these four issues.

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.
Earth Gives is a startup nonprofit for which I volunteer. It’s about building a connected community of caring people who know we must act collectively to take on the most consequential issue of our time: the climate crisis.
Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, it builds strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture.
Fund for Peace works to prevent war and alleviate the conditions that cause war. The Fund promotes education, research and advocacy for practical ways to promote practical solutions.

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Beautiful Scenes of China National Tea Museum

Leave a Comment / Nature Painting / elainefogelart

In 2018, my hubby Allen and I spent two weeks in Shanghai and its surrounding cities. We knew the minute we disembarked the plane that we were in for very different architecture and surroundings.

In the city of Hangzhou, we visited the China National Tea Museum, an out-of-the-way location not far from West Lake. Celebrating the country’s long history of tea as one of China’s greatest treasures, it encompasses 5.4 acres (2.2 hectares) and is an excellent place to learn about tea and see it being grown.

The grounds are stunning, with a running river and small waterfalls. My painting (above) is based on one of the photos I took the day we visited.

Check out the painting details here.

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Custom Paintings Make Special Gifts

Leave a Comment / Figurative Painting, Painting / elainefogelart

When three of my close friends recently celebrated new grandbabies, I decided to create personalized paintings as gifts. After all, toys and baby accessories would soon be outgrown, but a unique piece of art can hang in a child’s room for a long time.

So, I researched concepts and came up with a different theme for each one. The first one born was a girl, Clara.

I chose a floral theme which she may appreciate well into her teens. It turns out that her parents decorated her room in a forest theme, so it fits in perfectly!

The next baby born was a boy, Teddy. This time I selected a galaxy/space theme.

The most recent baby born was Gordon, aka Gordy. Here, I chose an underwater theme.

I had such fun working on these that I decided to offer custom gift paintings for any occasion. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, babies, bar/bat mitzvahs,… you name it!

If you’re interested in a child’s custom name painting, contact me to discuss themes, concepts, and costs!

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