Ellen Davis
We had a moment to catch up with local artist Ellen Davis, who just opened her joint exhibition Grounded Reveries with Jonathan Hinojosa. This exhibition, currently at The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley, showcases some of her favorite pieces along with “a ton of new work.” Davis’s exploration of alternative photographic processes and print making are a delight to behold. “My favorite alternative process is cyanotype for its beautiful Prussian Blue tones and versatility. I work with paper, fabric, wood, or whatever materials or tools help me to create my work.”
We asked Davis about her process and the things that inspire. “The nutshell answer to both seems to be exploration - what is the story that I find within the image? What is the story that I can tell about myself?” Davis then continues the story through her alternative processes and printmaking techniques. The story behind the materials can lend as much variation and added interest as the intentionality behind the image itself. “The whole process of creating with alternative processes is slower, more ritualistic, it allows me to put even more of myself and my emotions into my work.”
We appreciate Davis’ tenacity, and commitment to exploration. “Some images will ‘fight’ me and be very difficult to make, which forces me to re-think my process or the image entirely. For example - I created three woven prints for the show. That is, I made two near identical prints of an image in cyanotype, cut them up into strips, and then wove them together. Initially I was going to use three different images and use three different cyanotype toning techniques. The first one printed beautifully, the geometric composition was perfectly suited to the project, but the second one wouldn’t print well even after 10 tries and I also had to admit that it just didn’t have quite the same strength of composition for the project as the first. So, I ended up using the first image for each of the three pieces, and just focused on the toning and weaving technique, and I think it was a much stronger series of pieces than my first idea because I could then highlight how differently the same image will present just by changing the paper type and the color.”
We asked Davis what she was most proud of and it happens to be one of the pieces on display at Grounded Reveries. “For 3D work, a piece called WinterSpring. A dress that I made from scratch, using cyanotype to create photographic images on the fabric. I even made a matching crown and a pair of shoes. It took 120 hours to make everything. As a human being? Learning how to be vulnerable and caring about myself - still very much a work in progress.”
When asked about Nevada County artists whose work she admires, Davis shared about her partner in the Grounded Reveries Exhibition. When The Center for the Arts offered her the opportunity to showcase her alternative photographic process work she asked to share the spotlight. “I asked them to find me an experimental printmaker because I wanted someone who also takes a mad scientist approach but does something a little different from me. They found Jonathan Hinojosa and I immediately liked his work, it is terrific and I have a strong admiration for his intellectual and artistic curiosity, his willingness to see what happens, and that he pushes boundaries with both his process and content of images.”
Another local artist she admires is ceramicist Paul Steege for his mastery of both form and functionality. “What really draws me to his work is a pleasing combination of solid craftsmanship, simplicity of design that looks effortless, and his color choices are beautiful. My favorite mug and soup bowl are from his shop.”
And last we asked, what’s next for Ellen Davis. “I have a long list of things I’d like to start working towards - but not all at once! I want to continue with my current body of work in which I create in-camera panoramic images via overlapping exposures on film. I want to expand my printmaking skills, which includes developing my drawing. I’ve also been thinking of teaching workshops, because I really love helping build and be part of a community of artists.”
Davis has pieces in the upcoming Wild & Scenic Film Festival Art Show and the Nevada County Camera Club group exhibition, both at The Center for the Arts in the coming months.
This story originally appeared in the January 15th, 2024 edition of the GVNC Culture Connection newsletter.
