Ellen Starr Lyon

Lives and works in Bloomington, IN, USA

Artist statement

We are hardwired to read and interpret the human face. We are driven to look at faces and easily ascribe emotion to expressions, including those of complete strangers. Because of this, painting faces can show the subtlety of emotion with nuance that other subjects cannot. I focus on my friends and family, people whose faces I know how to read. I have been especially fascinated by painting my teens. It is a way for me to process the experience of motherhood and document these emotionally charged but fleeting years. With that comes the need to explore and portray my experience of being woman/wife/mother. My roles are ever-changing, and I use self-portraiture to reflect that. I also make work about issues that are important to me using the mirror of other women. An issue that continually comes to the surface for me is vulnerability. It is important to me as an artist and in my relationships, to be vulnerable. I want to show that in others and want to champion the idea that vulnerability is strength. My goal is to weave these topics into compelling, timely paintings depicting their relevance in quiet, domestic imagery.

Artwork