3rd Place winner
Synchronized Color
DESCRIPTION
Manifestation (Abstraction of Form and Color)
Having grown up in the fairly flat Midwest, I have become preoccupied with the form of mountains; these natural elevations in the earth's surface that rise from the surrounding landscape. Here in Northern New Mexico, many were formed in ancient volcanic activity. The age and longevity of mountains is mesmerizing and hard to comprehend. Symbolically they represent constancy, eternity and stillness. In these times of political upheaval this is comforting. But as climate change looms, perhaps even the mountains are in peril?
I chose to convey the vertical nature of mountains by using the portrait format rather than a landscape format to represent elevation. I also like the portrait configuration, which has been used throughout history to depict a person to give the images a personality.
In this series I wish to capture the abstract nature of the mountain forms; also highlighting a color palette that demonstrates an affinity with minerals hidden within the mountains; copper, turquoise, iron. I feel this visual strategy embodies the appearance, the exterior as well as revealing the depth of the interior of mountains.
AUTHOR
Ellen Jantzen was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri but moved to Illinois after meeting her husband, Michael at Southern Illinois University. Her early college years were spent obtaining a degree in graphic arts; later emphasizing fine art. After a move to California, Ellen spent two years at FIDM (the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in downtown Los Angeles. Here, she obtained her advanced degree in 1992. After a few years working in the industry, including several years at Mattel Toy Company as a senior project designer, she became disillusioned with the corporate world and longed for a more creative outlet. Having been trained in computer design while at Mattel, Ellen continued her training on her own using mostly Photoshop software.Not considering herself a "photographer" but an image-maker, Ellen Jantzen creates work that bridges the world of photography, prints and collage. As digital cameras began producing excellent resolution, Ellen found her perfect medium. It was a true confluence of technical advancements and creative desire that culminated in her current explorations in photo-inspired art using both a camera to capture imagery and a computer to alter, combine and manipulate the pieces.
Ellen is being recognized as an innovator and her work has been shown in galleries and museums world-wide as well as numerous web-based sites. Ellen is represented by, among others, the Susan Spiritus Gallery in Newport Beach CA and the Bruno David Gallery in St. Louis MO.
Ellen's work can also be seen on her website: http://www.ellenjantzen.com/
