Ellen McCormick Martens Artist Statement

My work is a hybrid of painting and collage, blending representational and abstract elements. I create vivid, lively abstractions with collage, often adding quirky shapes that meander across textured backgrounds, bringing a sense of movement and play.

A few years ago, I shifted from representational art to non-objective abstraction because my inspiration comes from within, rather than from the external world. Recently, though, representational elements have returned in my Ogham Tree Alphabet series, where symbolic forms and natural motifs weave into the abstract framework.

I work primarily with acrylic paint, which lends itself beautifully to collage; it is easy to clean up, and safe to handle. Many of my collage papers are made on a gel plate — I love gel printing because it always offers surprises, even when I plan carefully. I prefer wood panels, which not only support collage well but also offer a satisfying resistance to the brush.

I make art to follow an inner prompting. My spiritual outlook draws from the mystical traditions across all religions, and this sensibility informs the spirit of my work.