Kitten Ellison was born in England, and currently divides her time between Richford, Vt and Bermuda, where she has a business and is part of a co-operative Market situated in a historic building in the Royal Navy Dockyard.
A keen gardener and active conservationist, Kitten has taught Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) for 35 years--a chance remark from a student asking if she would like to learn the art of Sumie started her towards her present business venture.
Sumie is the art of painting in black ink on rice paper and was developed from the brush strokes of calligraphy. Each stroke is meaningful and with this discipline you should be able to paint with one stroke a petal, or with two a leaf, and a stem or the trunk of a tree can be conveyed with three or four, leaving the rest up to the viewers imagination. Kitten found a Japanese teacher in Montreal who taught her for five years as a private student.
"She taught me everything I know and a lot that I have forgotten and I am eternally grateful--Thank you, Minaku." From her lessons, Kitten mastered the technique of color loading your brush and working with your whole arm as opposed to just your fingers and wrist.
Landscapes and minimalist looks at nature are Kitten's specialty. She transfers her designs onto rice paper, clothing, hats, totes, glassware, and china. "Each time I paint on a new surface a different challenge arises as to how my style will be effected and how successful a new paint is and whether it will satisfy my standards."
Kitten's knowledge of plants and flowers stems from her early years in England, forty years in the subtropics of Bermuda, and the last 23 years having the joy of living in Vermont where the immense range of colors in the changing seasons brings her enormous satisfaction and inspiration.
Kitten welcomes and enjoys the challenge of special design orders and commissions, so please feel free to contact her with special requests.
Hibiscus Tea Serving Set
Hibiscus Tall Tea Pot
Coffee Serving Set
Candlesticks
