Ilse Coffman | MIXED MEDIA

I am a mixed-media artist, educator, former children’s art studio owner and designer.

My art depicts the familiar in a fresh and distilled way— home, still life and figures in repose. Fruit that represents the womb, tables laden with food waiting for family to return.

The primitive, paper works are made using ink on a wet surface, resulting in fractured batik-like lines, a rich matte-finish paint enhances the flatness of the simple shapes which also incorporate ancient and ethnic inspired pattern used in a modern way.

The daughter of artist parents, I grew up in Northern California in the 60's and 70's, immersed in the arts—pottery, textiles, tribal arts and furniture design. This upbringing, along with many years working with children and playing with every medium you can imagine, informed my esthetic, naive with a feminine / mother driven narrative.

My current / personal art practice came to me later in life but, has been a lifetime in the making.

I live in Portland, Oregon, surrounded by family and two curious yellow labs.

Thank you for your curiosity.