Elissa’s earliest influences were Georgia O’Keeffe and the Group of Seven. She studied both graphic and fine Art. Her entire life has been dedicated to art, and she became a full time fine artist 20 yrs ago. She is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and teaches art throughout the year. Open Sun- Monday, or by guess or by golly.
Elissa Anthony
Artists Statement
I didn’t set out to be a landscape artist. However when I moved to Vancouver Island it became obvious to me where I should head on my artistic path.
I started with painting the flowers in my new garden, but soon started exploring landscapes. My first being a seascape of Botanical Beach.
My paintings took on a life of their own ~ not really realism but not exactly expressionism. Some have said it is representational, others say it is hyper realism. Whatever it is, my heart soars when I am in my studio creating these paintings.
My earliest influence was Georgia O’Keeffe. I saw her Show at the Chicago Institute of Art in 1987 and I was hooked. Not only was she a great artist but a women I could relate to in life terms.
I grew up not far from Kleinberg, Ontario and took regular visits to the McMichael Gallery. I marvelled at the extensive collection of the Group of Sevens paintings. I particularly liked the informal flowing look, yet technically superb work of Lawren Harris and AJ Casson. Seeing EJ Hughes work for the first time in 2005 was a revelation and I knew I was on the right
path artistically.
I am constantly learning new things about myself every time I complete a new painting.
Elissa Anthony.
