Elsie has spent her life in various communities in Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley presently calling Carleton Place her home. Through Elsie's Art Studio, she refocuses art into its proper position - in the forefront of her life. Her art studio has recently discovered the magic of Encaustic Painting, a 3,000 year-old art form created by the Greeks and Egyptians. When asked why the resurgence in Encaustic in the last decade Elsie responds with ; "It is in large part due to the advantage of electricity and modern tools. Encaustic wax has become an empowering medium for artists of the 21st century. When she adds heat to wax it becomes alive taking the reins of creativity, allowing Elsie to assist. It seems to create an end-result rather than being forced into what the artist wishes it to become. Elsie takes on a secondary role within the process of transformation. Her power is deciding when it is time for the molten development to halt and call a piece finished."

Bright colours and texture are very important to Elsie as an artist. Mother Nature is the inspiration for her creations. The endless possibilities get the creative juices going. As a lifetime gardener she paints the way she gardens - with an intuitive approach where results are often unexpected treasures. Elsie gravitates to materials and media which provide texture and variety. Colour and texture are the main ingredients needing very little extra to develop into a piece that speaks. Elsie's inventive use of tools and her artist's hands give the piece a unique formation which becomes "art".

Elsie loves to use non-conventional methods in painting ;"Who says you have to use a paintbrush" ? Elsie often uses nature's creations such as leaves and twigs as tools such as stencils or stamps other times she incorporates nature into her art.

Reuse and recycle are not foreign to Elsie. Growing up in an environment where recycling was a way of life as there was no garbage pickup and composting was just what one did as a matter of course led her to constantly allow materials to be reborn and take on a new identity. As a mixed media artist life is a treasure-hunt of finding discarded objects that are forlorn and asking for a reawakening.

When asked what her favourite colour is, her response is "variegated". She can't settle with one colour, although she loathes the beige "minimalistic" look that designers have been touting for years. Happy bright colours bring joy to a room. They are the colours which Mother Nature uses. Imagine a landscape of beige and grey colours. How boring !!! Bring on colour ! Bring on texture ! Nature has an intoxicating amount of colour and texture creating such a variety of examples to draw from. The "right" art is an expressive ingredient towards turning a house into a home. The mass-produced smooth creations that industry generates lack personality and soul. Texture, whether it is in paintings or sculpture, help alleviate the "factory look" of today's homes. A person's home should be a refuge and sanctuary from the stresses of the world. Meaningful Art is an integral part of providing an escape from the troubles life has to offer.

The use of symbolism in Elsie's pieces entices the viewer to have an emotional connection. Symbolism identifies the significance of a particular time and place thus forcing the viewer to think about the art creating an emotional connection. A particular situation or event becomes a permanent record when it is transformed into an Art piece.

When making custom art for clients she listens to their instructions, comes to an understanding of the client's personality and style and encapsulates their memories through imagery, colour and texture so that the piece speaks to them and satisfies their emotional needs.

Check out Elsie's website: www.elsiesartstudio.com

Elsie's email: elsiecampbell@rogers.com

You can reach her at:

Elsie Campbell

141 Elizabeth St. Carleton Place

Ontario K7C 2V9

Bus: 613-492-0764