Elaine Matt Schaffner
Oil and Watercolor Paintings

"Lilacs in Bloom" - Oil on Canvas - 26" x 28""

My landscapes, still lifes and portraits painted in oil and watercolor evoke my rural Midwest upbringing on a farm in Northeast Iowa. Many of my works are based on return visits to the very area that I grew up in. I currently reside in Massachusetts and have found myself drawn now to rural New England, in particular, Southwestern Maine. More and more, as I travel around the world, I take my paints with me. My new goal, heading into 2011, is to paint from life only. With the gift of a new Gloucester-style plein air easel, I am ready to take on the challenge! My aim in outdoor live painting is to capture tranquil moments that can be found in the quiet setting of relaxing, outdoor locations. Whether I am painting a portrait "alla prima", a still life set up in my studio or facing the elements and painting outdoors, strong colors and dynamic compositions are a must for my artist's eye. Join others out there in owning a one-of-a-kind Elaine Matt Schaffner original!