“My name is Ellie Dean, and I’m a self taught contemporary artist based in Bedfordshire, England. I’ve always loved drawing ever since I was young. I started out with graphite pencils, then I moved onto coloured pencils, and now I work in oil and acrylic paints. I’ve been painting seriously for the last four years. Painting has really helped me get through some difficult times with my health.
My works include a variety of different mediums such as acrylic, oil, gold leaf and textured pastes. I’m always excited to try and experiment with new materials and techniques. I’m inspired by people and animals as I love to capture a key moment, mood or emotion. My art has slowly developed into a combination of Abstact and realism art, which create an interesting and unique mix.”
Ellie‘s portrait paintings feature obscured facial features that represent the subjects’ buried emotions, struggles or untold life stories. Much like her concealed portraits, Ellie herself has hidden away in the past due to her disability. The revealed parts of her paintings are a reminder to herself and others to push through challenges and to be more confident and kind to themselves. She hopes when people view her work they feel inspired.