Janina Ellis

I paint with the knowledge that everybody is intriguing. Everyone is the hero of a story. I begin the painting process with a photoshoot. I seek out public spaces that capture the feeling of the shared experience. While painting the scene, I pay close attention to body language and interactions between individuals. I look for fleeting movements, subconscious gestures, and surprising patterns in the crowd. Painting with both acrylic and oil allows me to manipulate deep textures both visually and tangibly. I capture the initial composition of a painting with a very wet acrylic paint. Then I use a dry brush technique to begin defining the silhouettes. I build up the color, contrasts, and texture with oil paint glazes. The painting is complete once each person has shared their unique personality. Although each figure is unique, the goal of each painting is to emphasize and celebrate the common experience.