bigger and BOLDER

eLLen diedericH adds acryLics to Her PaLette

Ellen Diederich was, in her own words, “a dyed-in-the-wool watercolorist.” She’s been painting since the age of twelve and has won numerous national awards. “Watercolor is underappreciated,” she said. “It’s a very timesensitive media and requires total concentration. It’s the master’s media.”

In January of 2009, Diederich went to the emergency room. An MRI showed degenerative vertebrae in her neck, and she was told that her options were to have surgery or be paralyzed. Diederich’s surgery was performed at the Spine Institute of Minneapolis. “The recovery wasn’t long,” she said, “but afterwards, Dr. Perra told me I would be more comfortable painting on an easel. I knew what that meant: using an entirely different media.”

Months later, Diederich ordered acrylic paints, canvases, and an easel. She even remodeled her studio, but stuck with the watercolor. “Four hours of bending my neck over a flat surface became painful,” she said,” and I knew I had to make a change.” When Diederich began using acrylic, it didn’t go well. “I put acrylic paint on two of my watercolors “because I said I would,” she said. “They were big beautiful paintings, and I ruined them!”

Frustrated, Diederich signed up for an art workshop in Iowa. “My instructor, Sandi d’Alessandro, was a positive person. “She taught me some specific techniques which I adopted into my work.” This helped me get on track. The timing is also tricky in acr ylic, and I gained a new understanding of this media.”

After that class, Diederich began alter nating between working with acrylic and watercolor. Then she took a technically focused acrylic workshop Cormorant Area Artists offered. “It was there that I learned what type of acrylic paint I liked best and how to use it. I finally did a really cool painting that I liked,” she said. The good news is that Diederich can paint all day on an easel without pain.

Acrylic is an interesting media – you can thin it to a wash similar to watercolor and/or apply it thickly “impasto” or anything in between. Diederich originally thought she’d be using the transparent qualities of acrylic – taking advantage of her experience in watercolor, but instead she’s having fun displaying her brushwork in a textural way. “It still looks like my work,” she said, “But it’s different, bigger and bolder. My main subjects remain the same: florals, architecture, and domestic animals.”

Last summer, Diederich began showing her acrylic paintings for the first time, along with her watercolors. She no longer felt forced into painting with acrylic, so her attitude changed. “I’m totally excited about these paintings,” she said. “Some of my collectors prefer one medium over or the other; some like both. The best part for me is that I enjoy working in both media.”

Diederich’s home/studio is a little busier with the addition of a dedicated staff. She can’t lift much weight and requires help to cart and hang her artwork. Her daily routine now includes low impact exercise, three times a day for half an hour each time. This allows her to paint painfree. “My trainer, Hidie Larson at Courts Plus, helps me personalize my routine. The discipline required for these constant workouts also transfers to my painting.”

Diederich’s advice to aspiring artists is one word: work. “You need to be disciplined. You need to learn to draw. Whether your work is realistic or non-objective, drawing out your ideas is helpful. I’m working all the time, and yet I have many ideas to explore. Be kind to yourself,” she continued. “Remember one of the great things about painting is that if it’s bad, you don’t have to show it to anyone. You can hide it in the closet.”

“Many artists experience fear during the creative process. When this happens, I meditate and ask for help with my paintings. That is why I named my publishing company “Givinity Press” it means ‘Giving Divine Images to You.’” She also wrote a book, “Progressive Painting – Your Creative Journey” to help artists tune in to their creativity and let go of the fear.

Since Diederich has begun using acrylics, she is frequently asked if she is still doing watercolor. The fact that three of her watercolors were included in the lovely “Best Watermedia Artists of America, 2010” should be ample assurance to her watercolor fans that she is not only still painting, but excelling in her art. [AWM]

To learn more about Diederich, her open houses (the next one is November 4-7 from noon to 6:00 pm) or workshops offered , shows, and locations to buy her work, visit www.givinity.com.