Artist Bio
Elaine Mathews was born in Lakeview, Ohio, in 1941. This same year her family moved to Compton, California. Her formative years were spent drawing and painting the changing light and shadows cast by the sun on the San Gabriel Mountains.
She holds a B.A. in studio art from California State University, Long Beach, and a M.A. from Azuza Pacific University. Elaine is also co-chairperson of Calif. Art Club desert chapter.
Elaine retired as Chairperson of the Art Department at Savanna High School in Anaheim, California, in order to devote more time to painting.
Her favorite subjects are the coast, mountains and deserts of California. Elaine’s art work is included in the art collections of Nissan Motor Corporation, AVCO Financial and many private collections.
Why Elaine Paints
“The beauty of California attracts people from around the globe. It is the primary inspiration for my work. I hope by viewing my paintings, people will be reminded of times spent experiencing the splendor and ruggedness of the California landscape. I consider myself a traditional artist influenced by the California Impressionists, particularly William Wendt and Benjamin Brown.
Since many of my subjects have various textures, I try to convey this by the build up of pigments on the canvas”