For four years Delaware professional artist Ellen Rice has been working on the concept of a painting she wanted to do to raise funds to help returning U.S. soldiers in need of care.
When she opens the doors of the Ellen Rice Gallery Friday, Nov. 27, for her annual studio tour open house, she’ll unveil that painting, “At Ease,” and a handful of new and in-progress paintings of some of her favorite places on the shore for the public to see.
Rice’s three-day festivities, complete with hot apple cider, a variety of fall refreshments, holiday music and special discounts, will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“At Ease” depicts a young soldier who has returned from overseas walking on the beach. The soldier’s head is bent in contemplation, almost oblivious to the waves crashing around him.
Off in the distance, the World War II observation watchtowers at Cape Henlopen remind onlookers of wars past. A lone seagull stands and observes, while overhead, an Air Force jet leaves a vapor trail as it heads back overseas, a tiny bright speck in the sky holding precious cargo headed to war. On the shore, bright sunlight brings out a rainbow in the ocean spray.
Over four years, Rice’s U.S. Marine niece and U.S. Marine nephew posed for her on the beach while she tried to flesh out ideas for “At Ease,” but it just didn’t come together, she said.
“Then one day, taking a break on the beach in the off-season, there it all was in front of me. All I had to do was paint it. The rainbows in the waves, symbolic hopes for the future, and the jet trail, were things that came to me to add as I worked,” said Rice.
“The young man on the beach has no visible wounds. As we’ve come to understand, a lot of wounds aren’t.
“Others are tragically visible. Prints of this painting will benefit programs for both.”
Rice will release prints of “At Ease” and her peaceful new portrayal in oil of sunrise over the wetlands in front of her home, titled “Morning,” at the kickoff of her tour this weekend. Her prints of “At Ease” will benefit Operation Mend, a medical program aiding devastatingly disfigured U.S. military, and Delaware’s Boots on the Ground.
Other new works and works in progress include an oil of the western view from Indian River Inlet bridge at sunset, a “cathedral” of trees over a local road, and her latest Strength of Woman Series painting, “Freedom.”
Each year, Rice gives a special Thanksgiving discount to tour goers, usually related to new releases, but this year she is giving $50 off any single print of choice priced over $200, limited to one discount per family. “It’s a way of saying thank you without limiting people to only the new paintings coming out,” she said.
Rice’s annual invitation/newsletter and brochures to all 17 studios on the Southeastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour this year can be picked up at The Ellen Rice Gallery, 103 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, and at many local businesses. Rice’s invitation is also available at ellenrice.com.
Ellen Rice has been painting since childhood, professionally since the 1970s. The Ellen Rice Gallery, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, is the only place to buy her originals and has the largest collection of Rice’s works in print available anywhere. In 1999, she was named one of Delaware’s “most collectible” artists by Delaware Beach Life magazine and the gallery was named a NICHE Magazine Top Retailer Award finalist for its work with fine craft artists around the country.
The gallery is open all year; call 539-3405 or 888-355-7423.
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