" I love the creative process; the shapes, colors and light.  I love the sensuousness of being outside ... feeling the sun and wind, listening to the waves breaking and the leaves rustling in a breeze.  My objective is to simplify what is before me in order to capture the subject's essence and spirit"

The art of Kathryn Malany Ellis is the product of an adventurous spirit and a lifelong love of the beauty and richness of the natural world. Invigorated by the energy, color, light, texture, and atmosphere of her surroundings, she strives to capture its essence in an impressionistic, painterly style.

Growing up in the bucolic countryside of southeastern Pennsylvania, Kathy honed a strong appreciation for the outdoors. After college she moved to Annapolis, Maryland. Here she sailed the bay, experiencing life and nature as adventures. She began her art studies with noted photographer Richard Bond, developing a preference for black and white photography emphasizing composition and design. She began collecting fine art, and took advantage of the wealth of galleries and museums in the Washington, DC area.

In 1988, Kathy commenced a degree program in Art History at George Mason University; she also began studio studies and fell in love with painting. Following graduation, she studied oil painting at The Art League in Alexandria, Virginia and was especially inspired by Dodie Petro.

In 1998, Kathy and her husband began a new adventure, becoming innkeepers in the scenic, coastal village of Half Moon Bay, California. She continued her studies at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, and then focused on landscapes en plein air with California Academy of Painters. Kathy has furthered her studies with well-known artists such as Kenn Backhaus, Brian Blood, Gavin Brooks, Brent Jensen, Jeanette LeGrue, Craig Nelson, Camille Przewodek, and Randy Sexton.

The spectacular, rugged Northern California coast, mountains, peaceful valleys and small towns provide subjects and inspiration for many of Kathy’s recent works.

Associations

Oil Painters of America - OPA
California Art Club - CAC
Los Gatos Art Association - LGAA
Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Assoc. - MBPAPA
Society of Western Artists - SWA
Peninsula Outdoor Painters - POPS

Exhibitions & Events

Portola Art Gallery, Paint Allied Arts, 2012

Paint Burlingame, 2012 - Honorable Mention Award

Portola Art Gallery, Paint Allied Arts, 2011
Portola Art Gallery, Paint Allied Arts Plein Air Paint-out & Exhibit, 2009
North Tahoe Plein Air, juried into 2009 event
AVA Art Festival, Mountain View, 2009
Los Gatos Art Association, 25th Annual Open Juried Show, 2009
Museums of Los Gatos, Touch My Heart, 2009 – Honorable Mention Award
Society of Western Artists’ Octagon Gallery Show 2009
Los Gatos Art Association, Annual Member Juried Show, 2008
Portola Art Gallery Plein Air Event, “Paint Allied Arts”, 2008
Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association, The Painted Landscape, 2008
Main Street Café & Books, Los Altos, CA - June Invitational Painting Exhibit, 2008
Ayr Hill Gallery, Vienna, VA, Opening Show, 2008
Los Altos Plein Air Event and Show, 2007 - Honorable Mention Award
Los Gatos Art Association, Annual Open Juried Show, 2007
Society of Western Artists, Octagon Gallery Show, 2007
Society of Western Artists, Small Works Show, 2007
San Luis Obispo Art Center, Brushstrokes Show, 2007