Ellen Phelan's Family Photograph Paintings at Ameringer & Yohe

Ellen Phelan's exhibition at Ameringer & Yohe Fine Art from September 9 to October 9, 2004, features paintings and watercolors derived from family photographs. The artist employs sfumatto, an Italian Renaissance technique creating hazy light and dark tones that obscure subjects. This approach evokes memory, identity, and perception through a veiled aesthetic. Phelan's three-decade career informs her confident handling of color and composition. A self-portrait capturing the artist photographing herself in a mirror stands out among the works. The show references artistic influences including Whistler, Corot, and Eakins. Phelan's technical methods remain distinctive even to fellow painters. The exhibition demonstrates her willingness to engage with sentimental themes while maintaining artistic rigor.