Introducing Dana Ellyn: local painter's babies are creepy and not hers

July 2, 9:00 PMDC GLBT Arts ExaminerSamuel Lora

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Samuel Lora 2009: Dana Ellyn in her DC studio

Once in front of the building, fingers pressed codes, but nothing happened. What was supposed to happen, you ask? Well, the door was meant to open. Or at least a voice should have appeared through the speakers; nothing. The morning was fantastic starting the commute earlier than used to, the metro ride inside a long-sleeve shirt and a tie, was something different to do. The day ahead was a long one, but Dana did everything that came naturally to ease the pace.

“Hi, I pressed the numbers you gave me, but nothing.” Dana Ellyn laughed “That’s weird, although I have never used the system myself.” Giggling some more she added “are you in the main door?” Frantically looking about realized, she was right; the building had three doors, the main in the middle of course. “Aum, okay, well, let’s press, here, hmm..., yeah, I’m tr-“. “Let’s do something, let me come get you.” Breathing easily and letting the fingertips rest “thank you”.

The doors opened and Dana, with her curly hair down the front of her left shoulder, pushed the glass door and with her thin frame introduced herself while smiling. “Thank you so much for coming! Come in.”

The truth is that we had met once before, but it was a quick “I love your painting” moment. Back in the first post, Dana was one of the highlights of the Artomatic festival, currently in DC until this coming Sunday, July 5th.

Once upstairs, Dana lead the way inside her apartment/studio. Meanwhile, the world which opens up is inspiring. The thirty-eight year old is not fancy in any way, shape or form, and with her two cats (who pose and roll around during the interview) she is simple, but potent. Her living space is much her working space, which organized and manic at the same time, showcases her goals, her pet-peeves and her talent all at once; mesmerizing.

Smiling can’t help but notice some of the paintings which led this interview to happen. “You like those?” “Do I? May I take some photographs?” “Sure, everything is free for your today. Oh, would you like something to drink?” “No, thank you.”

The photographs were more important at the moment. Looking at a painting of four Asian women with masks covering their mouths, adorned with Hello Kitty, she notices, and explains from behind. “When I went to China (during the bird flu outbreak) people warned me about the pollution and they tried to scare me about my health!” She sat down and kept going “I don’t know where they got a single shot of people with facemasks on those news reports because I saw one person with it on; One!”

Of course, this started the conversation about the current world we live in. The media and the scaring tactics that tend to pack us around as necessary like cattle. The way we allow politics to become part of our personal lives which can be clearly seen in one of her paintings of Sarah Pailin. Fantastic.

Dana is the type of artist which is climbing the ladder of success for her fearlessness, and painting things that beg to be seen, and discussed, and hated, almost.

Currently on her fifth year participating in the Artomatic festivities, she has had her share of encounters. “Sure,” she says “I leave a notebook for feedback and when I pick it up, there are negative things. But, out of thirty, I get one. And when I do it’s something like “Jesus died for us, you know? :(’.”

Dana is talking about the religious paintings that she has shared in previous exhibits, including a painting of Jesus having his “nails” painted by an Asian beautician. These paintings, in a previous open exhibit, fueled a man to scream, insult and question Ellyn’s existence. Calm and collected, she tried to reason with the man. Her approach is a mode for her to look for her own answers, and although provocative, she is never trying to persuade anybody to believe in what she believes in. She hardly knows what is to be believed, but she is happy educating herself and creating paintings that exude maturity and freshness, regardless of agreeing with the work or not.

Of course, the man didn’t budge and eventually security came to the scene and asked her if she was done with the conversation, so they could escort the man away from her. “I can be done?” she innocently asks and the conversation ended.

By now, seating in front of her as she prepares some decaffeinated coffee for both, jokingly asks “Want some Bailey’s with your coffee?” After declining her offer, she prepares her own mug and nonchalantly says out-loud “It’s almost noon. Plus, I am an artist” and pours some in her mug.

Laughter breaks about inside her studio, and the cats come to play in the kitchen. Sitting again, Dana says “I am not f***ed up like [people] think I should be.” She says the perception people have of her before meeting her, because of the paintings, seems to be of a hardcore junkie, or something of the like. She explains that she comes from a normal background, with normal non-practicing Catholic/Jewish parents, and with a healthy outlook to religion, politics and romance.

The artist quit her corporate job back in the winter of 2002 to paint full time, and as she says, it’s her life now. She shows often, and paints frequently. The best advice came from her painter-boyfriend who told her the best way to sub sequentially become an established artist is to create many paintings and sell them for affordable prices, making sure that the works are attainable. Which is great, her rates aren’t high and the quality of the paintings is worth much more than what she asks for.

When asked about the themes in her work she says “Well, it got to a point where I said to myself ‘I draw a lot of creepy babies’ which reflects me as a non-mother”. Dana, who doesn’t have any kids, thinks that although wonderful, motherhood is not for her. Instead, she themes her work and is currently working on two future-exhibits, potentially for fall showings (look below for information on her exhibits).

After putting it down, the coffee mug reads loudly in my head Yummy, which is written on the inside of it. Which is exactly how this interview was: Yummy.

Q: Fill in the blanks: If I wasn’t so _____ then my ____ would be ____.

A: If I wasn't so (happy) then I would be (doing something different to make myself happier).

Q: What do you consider to be your happy place?

A: My happy place is at home in my studio. I love a full day of working on a painting -
with occasional respites of being curled up on the couch reading or napping.

Q: What is your best source of inspiration?

A: Inspiration comes at me from all directions - the news, a book I'm reading or a random
conversation with someone. I am often asked if I ever worry about running out of things
to inspire me. Not a chance - there's a whole world out there so there's always something
to paint about.

Q: Favorite Karaoke song?

A: "This Town" by the Go-Go's.

Q: Do you believe that everything is possible? If so, name something you believe in that others may not (or vice versa).

A: Do I believe that everything is possible? That's a big question. I am a big believer in
that if you want something, you have to work for it and make it happen. Simply sitting
and hoping/wishing/praying will get you a lot of idle time and no results.

Dana’s exhibits are:
August 2009: Mayer Fine Art, Group Show, Norfolk, VA
September 2009: Design Studio Gallery, Solo Show, Hyattsville, MD
October 2009: R. Courey Gallery, Solo Show, Savage, MD
 

All artwork by Dana Ellyn

Photographs by Samuel Lora 2009 and Danaellyn.com