Meet Ellen Dieter

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellen Dieter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ellen, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I do not know that I have overcome my imposter syndrome. I am sure someone will figure out that I don’t know what I am doing. That said, in believing I do no know, that leaves me open to learn and keep learning. For me, I show up. I am in the studio every day, I am putting paint to canvas every day. In doing the work, the false belief’s don’t have room in my head. If I am buying into them, once I start painting, they fade away and I am in the process of making choices, one after the other which keeps me focused and open.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I live and breathe art. Painting daily in my studio, even in my p.j.s early morning or late night, is what keeps me going. Being able to move paint around keeps me sane! I love to start by making marks and adding colors to a substrate withouth thinking too much. As I get going, different elements start to appear.

I paint in a world where the subject matter is abstracted and stylized as I go. Generally there is something identifiable in the painting but it has been altered and portrayed in a way that is unique to me and how I see.

By using both abstract elements and representational figures, my focus is then on relationships. Relationships are contemplated with color, line, shape and form. I welcome a bright palette and graphic style using metaphors and whimsy to tell a story. I am focused on creating works that are personal and authentic. I seek to bring joy, wonder and awe into my world and yours.

I feel very fortunate to be represented by three different galleries, and show in mulitiple juried exhibitions throughout my career. My work sells all over the world, and it always touches my heart each time a work finds a new forever home. I am forever grateful for all those who support me and have supported my art throughout the years.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
First, I believe the most profound skill or really quality is showing up in the studio, and doing the work. Many years ago, I was a model. I learned that the people around me didn’t think I had what it took. But, I pounded the pavement, knocked on doors, and kept going until one year, I was the highest earning model for the agency I worked with. I think that the perseverance I learned back then has helped me in my career as an artist now. No matter what, I show up. Rejections happen all the time, as a matter of fact, when I first started showing my work, I set out to get 100 rejections. As you can imagine, in that 100 are many acceptances too. (I first read this advice in a book called “Taking the Leap” by Cay Lang (page 86, “third tip”)

Remaining teachable is an important quality in life and in art. To stay open and always try something new.

Another skill I will call it, is to keep good records, I learned this through my father. I document all my work, and keep a spreadsheet with all the information listed. Funny, my first “spreadsheet” was hand written on paper, I called it “Painting through the Ages”. Now it is on an excel spreadsheet. I also use Artwork Archive as a place to document and use as a webdite.

Best advice, do what you love, and show up for yourself.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
I love to talk about my parents because they always supported me in whatever I wanted to do. They simply believed in me and I can’t imagine what it would have been like to not have that freedom to be able to be me and do what I love. That said, they didn’t do my life for me, In other words, life was not handed to me on a silver platter. I had to work hard to get to where I am. They couldn’t afford to send me to collage so I had to do that on my own. They didn’t buy me a car, or pay for my living expense, but taught me the skills to know how to work hard and believe in myself. And that is huge.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
the photographs are all taken by me. Ellen Dieter

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