My mother gets much of her inspiration from her travels to many exotic countries, such as Mexico, Morocco, India and Turkey as well as to Italy and Spain.
Her work demonstrates a highly energetic and emotional response to colour. A serious, driven artist she has studied the work of the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists and modern masters, having collected a substantial library of art books. But she finds it works better not to think too much when painting.
Before starting a new work, Elena may allow her thoughts and ideas to percolate for days. Then, suddenly, things start to happen: a powerful creative energy takes over and the new work seems to acquire a life of its own.
Some of my mother's best work has been completed in hours, "But" she says, "it took more than thirty years of learning and experimenting to be able to paint totally intuitively - without thought".
Elena attended the City and Guilds Art College and later studied under the Polish painter
Marion Kratochvelle, before completing a course at the Putney School of Art where she
received valuable advice and encouragement from Roy Marsden, a professor who took
a special interest in her work.
Roy Brewington
I have received so much support and encouragement in my work from many of my friends, especially Alberto Delser, M.A. and his wife, who so often travelled from their home in Verona to the many art fairs in Italy where I was invited to exhibit and where I was honoured to receive awards in recognition of my work.
I also owe thanks to my son, who, over the years, has been my greatest supporter and critic and who took the photographs of my paintings and produced my book.