Ernest Ely

Near The Golden Gate, Japanese oil paint, Gold leaf, precious metals, varnish on museum board, 4 panels, 24 x 48 inches each, 2008

STATEMENT

I work using a combination of techniques developed in Japanese lacquer art, European medieval religious art and ‘faux’ painting Working on wood or composition board panels, I use various combinations of the following media: Japan paints (finely ground oil pigments that dry in a day and can be sanded), metallic powders, powdered pigments, varnishes, precious and common metal leaf, and acids.

I build up layers of paint, varnish and metal leaf, often sanding through the upper layers to expose the under painting. Some of the more complex pieces have up to fifty or more layers. The surfaces that are created are inherently abstract and free associative. By manipulating these properties the finished image is produced.

I consider myself an icon maker. My main source of inspiration – besides exploring the artistic possibilities of the techniques and media I use – is nature. Whether pictorial or abstract, nature is generally at the heart of the work. Being both an environmentalist and an artist, I hope to convey to others the sense of sacredness that I find in the natural world.

EDUCATION

Columbus College of Art and Design, Columbus, OH

Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Day Studio – Workshop, San Francisco, CA

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

200/2001Paintings by Ernest Ely, Gallery at 400 Castro, San Francisco, CA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2012Paul Mahder Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2011Paul Mahder Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2010Paul Mahder Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2009Paul Mahder Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2008Paul Mahder Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2007Paul Mahder Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2005Blue Room Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Living Proof, LGBT Center, San Francisco, CA

2004Blue Room Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Locos Peligrosos, Mission Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA

Thoreau Center of Sustainability, Presidio San Francisco, CA

2003Blue Room Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Spice, Catherine Clark Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2002Scapes, Space 743, San Francisco, CA

Visual Aid Annual Exhibition, San Francisco, CA

Toomey Tourell Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Traveling Show, Positive

San Francisco, Main Library, San Francisco, CA

Amfar Convention, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San

Francisco, CA

SF LGBT Community Center, San Francisco, CA

2001Crossing Bridges, CBS Market Watch, San Francisco, CA

2000Visual Aid Annual Exhibition, San Francisco, CA

1999New Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, CA

1998Visual Aid Annual Exhibition, San Francisco, CA

1997McKesson Building Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Visual Aid Annual Exhibition, San Francisco, CA

1996de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA

Levi Strauss Plaza, San Francisco, CA

Visual Aid Annual Exhibition, San Francisco, CA

1995Visual Aid Annual Exhibition, San Francisco, CA

1994OPTS Art Show, Ansel Adams Center, San Francisco, CA

1993College of Marin Gallery, Kentfield, CA

1992Selections 1991, SomArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1991Max Nugus, The Cannery, San Francisco, CA

Open Studios, San Francisco, CA

Artist Equity Show, SomArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1990Open Studios, San Francisco, CA

Artist Equity Show, SomArts Gallery, San Francisco, CA

1986Gale Laurence Studio-Workshop, San Francisco, CA

1985Neiman-Marcus Gallery, San Francisco, CA

P: 415-474-7707

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