Ellen Frihart
Tulsa-based artist, Ellen Frihart finds no shortage of inspiration within the surroundings of her home state of Oklahoma. Although she enjoys painting with both oil and watercolor, she finds acrylic paint her medium of choice. A bright and bold use of color is characteristic in her painting style as well as stark contrast and an interesting use of negative space. She is influenced most by the Post-Impressionist painters, especially Cezanne, but her favorite painter is the Scottish colourist, Samuel John Peploe and his effect on her style can be seen in many of her paintings. She loves doing small, everyday paintings. Her subjects are varied, but she finds the animals, farms, ranches and oil fields of the Oklahoma countryside her greatest source of inspiration. She is fascinated by her hometown of Bartlesville- its history, its architecture, and its connection to the oil industry. Ellen is married to Bryant (Barney) Frihart and has two daughters, Rosie and Ruthie, who also serve as a great source of support and inspiration to her. After a career in business and many years as a stay at-home mom, Ellen, with great encouragement from her family, went back to school to achieve her life-long dream, her fine arts degree. She consistently challenges herself by attending classes and workshops, and teaching private painting classes. Her works have won awards and are in private collections throughout the nation.