Peninsula Arts Council Featured Artist of the Month
January 2011-February 2011
ELLEN SILVA
Muralist, Fine Artist, Graphic Artist, Musician
Community Murals Instructor
Contact Information:
PO Box 2675
El Granada, CA 94018
Tel 650-726-6729
ellen@ellensilva.com
Artist website: www.ellensilva.com
ARTIST STATEMENT:
I paint to connect with myself and my community. I 
see my art as a way to create joy and hope in my own world, and hopefully in others lives as well. When visiting my studio, or a show, you’ll view vibrant/y colored, nature-inspired paintings on recycled fence boards, wood, and canvas. I paint residential and commercial murals, and am Community Muralist in Residence at many Bay Area schools annually. I am also Art Specialist for the Cabrillo School District (HMB). I’m a member of Peninsula Arts Council, Colony of Coastside Artists, Precita Eyes Mural Center, the HMB OddFellows, and San Carlos Chamber of Commerce.
I begin with ideas, these become translated into shapes, and color. An important goal for me is to keep the viewer interested enough to take a second look and fully explore my paintings. More and more of the painting is revealed the longer one looks at it.
In addition to being a fine artists and muralist, I also provide graphic arts services to City of San Mateo, San Mateo Public Library, San Carlos Chamber of Commerce, and many annual events such as the Central Park Music Series and San Carlos Art & Wine Festival.
I live in El Granada, CA.
BIOGRAPHY:
Ellen was born in 1956 in Richmond, California, and began painting as soon as she could hold a brush (age 3). Her first works were “impressionistic” watercolors, (Popeye followed by the Pony Express.) In junior highschool, high school, and in college she studied figure drawing, impressionistic oil painting, pen and ink and watercolor.
She was influenced by poster artist Peter Max, and album cover artists of the 1960’s known for their bright colors and swirling psychedelic graphics. As a high school student she studied Vincent Van Gogh’s impressionistic style and Toulouse-Lautrec’s posters.
In 1980, Ellen earned a bachelors degree in Design/Illustration from San Jose State University. Since 1980, her graphic design clients have included Joan Baez, the City of San Mateo, San Francisco & Palo Alto Chamber Orchestras. (current clients)
In 1997 after a mural tour of San Francisco’s Mission District, at Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center in San Francisco, she began taking mural composition classes at Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center, and volunteering on mural projects. She was soon awarded several mural direction projects with JFK Elementary School in Daly City, CA. A continuous stream of projects followed, including a 2006 collaboration with Master Muralist Susan Cervantes (at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA) and a 2009 collaboration with Chicago artist Kerry James Marshall at SF MOMA (Museum of Modern Art).
Those vivid colors of the 1960’s still influence Silva’s mural work.
Her private and commercial mural projects include Seton Medical Center, California Pacific Medical Center, St. Mary’s College, Fuddrucker’s Restaurant and many more.
In addition to private and commercial commissions, Ellen loves working with children and has directed community mural projects in over 30 Bay Area
schools adn communities.
She also partners with Licensed Therapists to lead Healing Arts Workshops in communities dealing with Trauma.
Ellen is a musician and composer, and sings in 2 acapella groups, a Hawaiian band, (the Tikitones), and her own band, Island Dream.
EXPERIENCE:
Self-employed Artist/Musician 1980-present
EDUCATION:
Bachelors Degree, 1980, Illustration/Graphic Arts
AWARDS:
2015: Emerging Artist Award – Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee/Made on the Coast
2001: Very Special Person Award – California PTA, for Service to Children in Schools
January 2011: Artist of the Month – Peninsula Arts Council
EXHIBITS:
Group shows:
Coastal Arts League (HMB), SVOS (Silicon Valley OS), CoCA (Colony of Coastside Artists), HMB Pumpkin Festival and Bonny Doon Art & Wine Festivals.
Solo shows:
San Mateo City Hall, San Mateo Public Library, Bamboo Hair & Body, Half Moon Bay OddFellows, HMB Senior Center.
