Dana Ellyn interviewed by Rough Copy Magazine
November 2008 An Interview with Dana Ellyn
Laura Horsley | 11.08.08 | Interviews, Vol1, Issue2 - Fall/Winter 2008
D.C. artist Dana Ellyn documents the political, social and cultural events of the day with the humor of a satirist, the mind of an informed citizen and the color and brush strokes of an engaging artist who is serious about her work. Her commentary on the 2008 presidential race and the self-inflicted crippling of U.S. financial behemoths is as timely and vital as anything the SNL cast could dream up, and if you've seen any of her Sarah Palin paintings Ð "Gunning for the White House" or "Sarah's Three Ring Media Circus" trilogy, you would know that Tina Fey isn't the only person giving Mrs. Palin a proper satirical skewering.Her paintings take us well beyond U.S. politics, though. On a recent trip to China, Dana painted scores of canvasses documenting the life of the Chinese people and the "happy face" world they live in, so perfectly depicted in paintings like "China Trendy," which displays the latest fashion in facemask wear. Recently, Dana welcomed me into her studio, serving up one of the best homemade rice and bean burritos I've ever eaten while dishing on matters of craft and inspiration.
Holiday Show
Long View Gallery
Washington, DC Opening Reception: Thursday, December 4th 6-9pm
The Holiday Show at Long View Gallery will feature a collection of paintings from some of Long View's favorite artists. Dana Ellyn will be exhibiting a few of her newest paintings inspired by the recent election.
Won't You Be My Neighbor
22"x28" acrylic on canvas
$500
Long View Gallery
1302 9th Street, NW (at 9th & N)
Washington, DC 20001
202.232.4788 www.longviewgallery.com
Open Studio Mather Studios - 916 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
Saturday, December 6th noon-6pm
Dana Ellyn will be hosting an open studio on Saturday, December 6th from noon until 6pm. You're invited to stop by and check out her newest paintings along with a bevy of other recent (and not so recent) paintings which adorn the walls of her studio. No need to RSVP - drop by any time from noon until 6pm!
Foxy Makeover
24"x36" acrylic on canvas
$600
Mather Studios
916 G Street, NW
#304
Washington DC 20001
202.737.6161
If coming by metro (highly recommended, parking around here can be tough), you can get off at Gallery Place (red/yellow/green) or Metro Center (red/blue/yellow). From Gallery Place, exit towards "Galleries" which will put you on my corner, at 9th & G. From Metro Center, exit toward "11th Street" which is the corner of 11th & G. When you arrive at the building, use the phone outside to look me up by last name (Ellyn) and dial the access code (0304) to be buzzed in.
The "Bad Santa - No Cookie" show pokes a little fun at Santa. The gallery will also revisit some of the great shows from 2008 and will have some holiday treats, door prizes and a few surprises.
Bad Santa Artists:
Dana Ellyn, Matt Sesow, Richard Duggan, Carlos Michael Finn, Jerimy Brown, Andy Brzeczek, Pedro Saldarriaga, Uzi Buzgalo, A.J. Kiel, Josh Blue
If you cannot wait till the 19th, Access Gallery will be previewing the work on First Friday, December 5. Or check out the works on their website. http://accessgallery.org/
CLICK HERE to see more info & photos from the event.
Innovative, experimental, diverse, and hip - Transformer is at the nexus of DC's cultural scene. As Transformer's primary fundraising event, the Annual Transformer Silent Auction & Benefit Party provides essential support for this dynamic visual art organization's year-round programming - and it's a great party! Transformer's premiere social event, the Annual Auction is an ideal way to connect with a sophisticated and smart audience in the DC area.
Dana Ellyn's painting, "Paddle Boy", sold at the auction:
Paddle Boy
24"x36"
Oil on canvas
"Paddle Boy" is a portrait of artist Matt Sesow. Ellyn and Sesow have been together since 2001 and in that time Ellyn has painting several portraits of him. The ball and paddle are symbolic of the strong bond between the two artists - firmly connected together with flexiblity that allows them both the distance to be their own people and the attraction that brings them together.
Dana Ellyn's "Sarah's Three Ring Media Circus" paintings cause a stir at Skynear
Pulling Rabbits out of Hats
(3rd panel of "Sarah's Three Ring Media Circus" triptych)
24"x30" acrylic on canvas SOLD
Miss Congeniality (with her sheeple)
(2nd panel of "Sarah's Three Ring Media Circus" triptych)
24"x30" acrylic on canvas SOLD
Juggling Act
(1st panel of "Sarah's Three Ring Media Circus" triptych)
24"x30" acrylic on canvas
$700
Click image below to watch interview which originally aired on Washington DC's News Channel 8 on October 14 and ABC 7 on October 15, 2008
Click here to read additional articles about the controversy.
Dana Ellyn's Interviews, Articles, Photos from Shows and more....
"Brushfire: Political Awareness" group show. BrushFire is an innovative national arts initiative which fosters creation and presentation of social activist art. BrushFire's goal is to enrich public discussion about the value of democracy in the crucial run-up to the national elections and elighten and inspire voters to move beyond passive spectatorship. BrushFire is organized by Provisions Public ARts, a DC-based social change learning resource that amplifies compelling voices that challenge and redefine the mainstream.
Gallery Plan B
1530 14th Street, NW (14th & Q)
Washington, DC 20005
202.234.2711 www.galleryplanb.com
"Made in China"
Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow
Long View Gallery
Washington, DC
Second Reception: September 10, 6-8pm
show runs thru September 20
click to view larger postcard
China is in the news a lot these days. While garnering fewer reports of its widespread human rights violations and environmental woes, it is mostly making headlines with heartwarming stories anticipating the 2008 Olympic Games in the capital city of Beijing. With tensions high and the excitement building for the Olympics, Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow packed up and headed to China for 3 weeks, documenting their journey on canvas and paper.
Please join Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow at Long View Gallery on August 16th for the opening reception of their "Made in China" exhibit. On display will be over one hundred drawings and paintings they created during their trip - along with a few large scale pieces they've completed since returning on July 31st.
Long View Gallery
1302 9th Street, NW (at 9th & N)
Washington, DC 20001
202.232.4788 www.longviewgallery.com
Adams Morgan Festival - Arts on Belmont
Washington, DC
September 14th 10am-7pm
Arts on Foot
Washington, DC
September 13th 11am-5pm
Traveling/Painting in China
July 2008
In July, I traveled around China for three weeks and painted throughout my journey. I have posted all of the paintings to my website: www.danaellyn.com
I'll be exhibiting all of the paintings I created in a show appropriately titled "Made in China" at Long View Gallery in Washington, DC which opens on August 16th.
"Sign of the Times"
Access Gallery/VSA Arts
Denver, CO
Opening Reception: August 15th
Access Gallery is proud to present Sign of the Times. A new look at one of the most recognizable symbols from the last forty years. The gallery asked 20 of their favorite artists to take creative license with the universal symbol of accessibility. In many ways this symbol stands for how far we have come and how far we still have to go in the area of equal access for all people.
Era Gallery
523 South 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-612-0542
Second Saturday at The GallAerie
One Night Only: Saturday, June 14
This will be the second showing of my work at The GallerAerie - this time I'm exhibiting with my one and only, Matt Sesow. The GallAerie is a small grassroots showing space in Mt. Pleasant. It's a one night only event so please, no procrastinating! Free to attend, no RSVP necessary - just come out and enjoy the party. It starts at 8 and goes until late....
The GallAerie
1644 Newton Street, NW (in DC)
Solo Show at 'Baked and Wired'
March/April
A rotating exhbit of my paintings can be found this month at Baked and Wired - a sinfully good bakery and coffeehouse in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC. As paintings sell, I am replacing them with new work. So feel free to visit often and perhaps enjoy a cupcake while you're there. That's what I do!
Strawberry Blonde
18"x24"
Acrlylic on Canvas $350
Baked and Wired
1052 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW
(Georgetown)
Washington DC
Peace Now!
Warehouse Gallery
Opening reception: Friday, February 22nd 6-9pm
I will be exhibiting 3 paintings on the theme of war in this powerful group show. The show will stay up for the observance of the 5th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the March 19, 2008 "March for Peace" in Washington and other cities around the country.
Second Saturday at The GallAerie
One Night Only: Saturday, February 9th 8pm-ish until....
Please join me on Saturday, February 9th for a solo show of my work at The GallerAerie - a small grassroots showing space in Mt. Pleasant. It's a one night only event so please, no procrastinating! Free to attend, no RSVP necessary - just come out and enjoy the party. It starts at 8 and goes until late....
The GallAerie
1644 Newton Street, NW (in DC) click for map
Open Studio Mather Studios - 916 G Street, NW
Washington, DC
Saturday, February 16th noon-6pm
Dana Ellyn will be hosting an open studio on Saturday, February 16th from noon until 6pm. You're invited to stop by and check out her two newest series: "The Year of Presidents"
along with a bevy of other recent paintings which adorn the walls of her studio. No need to RSVP - drop by any time from noon until 6pm!
Mather Studios
916 G Street, NW
#304
Washington DC 20001
202.737.6161
If coming by metro (highly recommended, parking around here can be tough), you can get off at Gallery Place (red/yellow/green) or Metro Center (red/blue/yellow). From Gallery Place, exit towards "Galleries" which will put you on my corner, at 9th & G. From Metro Center, exit toward "11th Street" which is the corner of 11th & G. When you arrive at the building, use the phone outside to look me up by last name (Ellyn) and dial the access code (0304) to be buzzed in.
DC GreenheART Exhibit
Lofts 11
Opening Reception: Friday, February 1st, 7-10pm
All of the work in this spectacular group show will be inspired by the themes of love and the environment. 10% of the proceeds from art sales will go to benefit Earth Echo International. www.earthecho.org/
The opening night party is free to attend but please RSVP to:
rsvp@taurusdev.com
