Elsa Fredericks

 

A native of Nova Scotia, Elsa Fredericks has lived and exhibited in the provinces of New Brunswick, Manitoba and Ontario.

“There are two types of naïve artists: the trained and the untrained. I am one of the trained naïve painters, having studied under several important Canadian artists (Molly Lamb Bobak, Fred Ross, Toni Onley, Christopher Pratt, James Pinto), while trying not to be greatly influenced by them. I do my own interpretation of the subject. I like images with people doing the everyday things and activities that I enjoy doing myself. My first teacher was Molly Lamb Bobak and she told me to ‘look beyond real to the unreal’. This is what I had been searching for someone to tell me--that I should be using my imagination. I have never forgotten what she told me; even during times when I felt I was on the wrong path.

It is not easy to paint in this manner. At times one feels very much alone, an individual, because it is a personal approach to art and not everyone thinks the same. It is an inner vision of your own, from memory or from dreams, that a personal style is developed. One has to discover what their potential is in this regard and work hard to develop it. At times it brings out the child in me, my sense of humour and my personal understanding of nature. I paint in oil, which results in vibrant colours. I find colour uplifting and view the world in that way. I hope you enjoy my interpretation of the world.”

- Elsa Fredericks

My Sailing Class Acrylic on canvas 20 x 24 $1,850