Artworks

Every painting has a story.  Above the groupings of paintings, you will find a story of why I painted that particular painting and what inspired it.

Original watercolours framed under glass are painted on 300 lb. acid free archival watercolour paper, with archival matting and backing board.

Watercolours mounted on a wood panel are also painted on 300 lb. acid-free archival watercolour paper, which is then mounted on an archival wood panel and protected against glare, fading and humidity with a UV coating.

Click on any image to see a larger version.

Purchasing

Contact Mary Ellen to order and confirm the availability of your preferred images. All prices in Canadian dollars. Delivery or shipping can be arranged.

Galleries

Sea Turtles

Basking In Hawaii

Green Sea Turtles, sunning on Waikola Beach is characteristic of these beautiful creatures.

From my first encounter, I’ve had such an admiration and respect for the peaceful beauty of the Honu, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, found in their winter habitat, off the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Surprise Encounter

What a delight it must have been to be greeted by this magnificent Green Sea Turtle, a true ancient mariner, on a coral reef off the Maui coast.

My connection to the Honu, Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, began with seeing them sunning on the beach in Waikola Bay, on the Big Island of Hawaii.  From that first encounter, painting a sea turtle is a true reflection of my admiration and pure respect for their peaceful beauty.

In order to capture these beautiful creatures, I developed a process of applying many layers of transparent colours, creating a life-like image.

Inspiration Photo:  Courtesy Frank Kaiser

Birds

Knot Busy

Knot Busy is yet another example of the beauty that can surface before your eyes in cottage country.  This seemingly aloof loon has just surfaced after entertaining us with his diving skills and acrobatics under the crystal clear waters.  A sight to behold.

Soul Mates

In cottage country there are surprises around every corner.  As I was enjoying an early evening paddle on the glistening waters, this exquisite pair of loons had begun to venture just a little from their offspring.  While the young are busy dipping and diving, tuning their fishing skills, Mom & Dad relish a leisurely moment in the peace of early dusk.

A Moment in Nature

As the sun begins to sink into the horizon, silence falls over the clear blue waters in cottage country. Relishing the peace, our local loon family take an evening cruise, soaking up the tranquility of it all. The young are just beginning to poke their fluffy heads into the water, not yet able to dive. Watching their transition over the summer months is one of our greatest pleasures.

Along the Water’s Edge

While cottaging in the North Kawartha Lakes, the return of the loons is one of our treasured highlights! Mates for life this pair frequent the cottage bay and once again, as the sun begins to disappear into the horizon they paddle, dip and dive in the clear, quiet waters.

Fruit

Tempting

As a watercolorist you train your eyes to see.  Mary Ellen’s work is inspired by her surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colors.

She is drawn to subjects that sparkle and have that light and colour dancing throughout.  This beautiful glass bowl, one from her grandmother’s collection,  was  perfect complement to the luscious grapes and modern white lace.

Mary Ellen’s artworks reflect her ability to immerse the viewer in her bright and glowing watercolor paintings, layering color to provide depth and realism.

Pick Of The Crop

My work is inspired by my surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colours.  These juicy green apples just spoke to me, nestled in my fruit bowl, with their rich colour and skin tones.

Treasures

As a watercolourist you train your eyes to see.  My work is inspired by my surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colours.  I’m drawn to anything that sparkles with light and colour dancing throughout, like this beautiful candle-wicked candy dish and antique lace!  The cherries completed the dance!

On A Pedestal

As a watercolorist you train your eyes to see.  Mary Ellen’s work is inspired by her surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colors.

She is drawn to pictures that sparkle and have that light and colour dancing throughout.  This beautiful silver bowl was discovered in a second hand shop.  With a little polish and determination it was the perfect complement to this luscious pear.  Truly a great find!

Three’s Company

As a watercolorist you train your eyes to see.  My work is inspired by my surroundings – subjects with strong lights, shadows, shapes and colors.

I’m drawn to pictures that sparkle and have that light and colour dancing throughout.  This beautiful silver bowl was discovered in a second hand shop.  With a little polish and determination it was the perfect complement to these luscious pears.  Yet another great find!

Strawberries and Cream

As a watercolourist you train your eyes to see.  Subjects with strong light, colour and contrast draw me in and if it sparkles, voila!  Here, this gorgeous antique cut glass dish just complements these luscious berries!

Ocean & Water Scenes

Let’s Get Wet

While my husband and I travelled the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, we found that no matter how many miles of ocean shores we saw, each new view was nothing short of magical.  This beautiful seascape was one of many along the eastern shore where soothing warm breezes seemed to carry one into dream land.  As the waves splashed and danced off the lava rock, sea gulls seemed to float in each tropical gust.

Lilies in the Bay Series

Diamond In The Rough

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, Diamond In The Rough was inspired by a paddle in a cottage bay in northern Ontario.  As the lilies and the lake were awakening the sunlight glistened off the morning dew.

The Golden Hour

Sunny summer mornings in cottage country Ontario the quiet, shallow waters of our lakes and bays are alive with resplendent waterlilies.  As they dance in the sunlight from morning until early afternoon framed by vibrant lily pads, a paddle in my canoe through the lily pond is both peaceful and serene.  Seeing nature in The Golden Hour is the perfect beginning to a new day.

Still Water

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, ‘Still Waters’ was inspired by a serene, calm morning in the Chandos Lake cottage bay, in the beautiful North Kawartha area of Central Ontario.

As the lilies and the lake were awakening, the sun created its magic once again, drawing me into the peace and stillness of it all!

The Sound of Silence

As part of a series, Lilies In The Bay, ‘The Sound of Silence’ was inspired by a serene, calm morning in the Chandos Lake cottage bay, in the beautiful North Kawartha region of Central Ontario.  As the lilies and the lake were awakening, the sun created its magic once again, drawing me into the serenity and silence of it all!

Silence

As part of the Lilies In The Bay Series, Silence was inspired by paddling the cottage bay in the early morning light on Chandos Lake in North Kawartha Ontario. As the lilies and the lake awakened, every dip of the paddle inspires yet another painting!

Solitute

As part of the Lilies In The Bay Series, ‘Solitude’ was inspired by a morning paddle in the cottage bay on Chandos Lake in North Kawartha Ontario. As the lilies and the lake awakened, the peace and solitude of the moment rejuvenated my soul.

Dawning of a New Day

Dawning of a New Day was inspired by a paddle in the cottage bay on Chandos Lake in the district of North Kawartha, Ontario. As the lilies and the lake were awakening the sunlight glistened off the morning dew.

Flowers

Scarlet Heaven

‘Scarlet Heaven’ is a perfect example of the magnificent Itoh Peony!

Truly a gardener’s dream come true, Itoh Peonies originated by crossing herbaceous peonies and tree peonies, combing the best features of each, producing immense flowers.

Although I don’t profess to be a master gardener, I knew this to be a beautiful specimen and quickly switched to artist mode, snapping the perfect photo of this dazzling representation!

Tulipa Dordogne

A symbol of Spring, this gorgeous French Tulip is a show-stopper!  Complemented by the combined reflections of water and not one but two glass vessels. The symbol of deep and perfect love, tulips are a classic flower, loved by many for centuries.

Mary Ellen’s compositions reflect her ability to see the world according to shape, value and color, achieving a balanced composition and immersing the viewer in her realistic watercolour paintings through the layering of transparent colours.

Summer’s Snowflake

The Itoh Peony is an herbaceous beauty with enormous flowers that bloom for weeks. Summer’s Snowflake’ was photographed in Catherine Warner’s magnificent Lindsay Ontario garden. It truly was like finding a snowflake in early summer! Easy to grow and remarkable in beauty, an Itoh Peony is a perfect addition to any garden as well as a beautiful and meaningful gift.

Opening Day

When visiting the Hawaiian Islands you can’t miss the tropical hibiscus such as this show stopper, spotted in Waikoloa Beach on the Island of Hawai’i.

These large, colourful and ornate flowers are renowned for their magnificent showy flowers. Adopted as Hawaii’s state flower, the hibiscus represents royalty, communicate power and respect. Displaying its unparalleled beauty only for a day, the blossom closes to the fading sunlight, making this delicate flower an even greater beauty to behold.

Early Bloomer

The Magnolia is a species of plant in the Magnoliaceae family, symbolizing luck and stability. The spectacular waxy blooms have a sweet floral fragrance, light and fruity much like the scent of Champagne.

Sun Worshipper

According to Greek myth the peony symbolizes bashfulness, but originated in Japan where it means “king of flowers”. In our culture peonies symbolize prosperity, good luck, love and honour. When the golf ball sized buds burst into full bloom in my friend Catherine’s magnificent gardens they are truly a site to behold! The sun dancing throughout the delicate petals astounds me at every glance. I love the vibrancy and contrasts between lights and darks.