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"From veils of atmosphere to expressive color, to darkest mystery, watercolor can convey nature in all its guises."

 

Today, Ellen Hopkins Fountain channels that sense of mystery into a deeply intimate medium. Known for her luminous watercolors, she masterfully captures the shifting light and moody atmosphere of local and regional terrains.

Her love for painting began early. "I often think how lucky I am to be a painter," Fountain recalls. "From the time I was a child, I have felt compelled to paint. The medium of watercolor is challenging enough that I can continue to paint my love of nature, while continuing to evolve as an artist."

Fountain earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Carnegie Mellon University. She began her professional journey as a production assistant at a local public television station, eventually working her way up through the props department to become a scenic artist for television, theater, and film. It was an exceptional training ground for a watercolorist. She fondly remembers mixing gallons of colors and transforming a designer's small thumbnail sketch into a massive 60-foot canvas.

Recognition and Awards

Fountain is a prominent Signature Member of the New England Watercolor Society. Her evocative landscapes have earned her numerous prestigious accolades, including:

• The Bronze Medal from the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club

• The Patricia Warfield Jinishian Award for Painting

• The Windsor & Newton Painting Award

• The Art of the Northeast Watercolor Award

• The Fabriano Watercolor Award

Exhibitions and Collections

Her work has been widely exhibited in galleries across New York, New England, and Pennsylvania. It is held in numerous private and permanent corporate collections, including Pfizer, Inc. and the Smilow Center at Yale. Additionally, her art has been featured in American Artist Magazine and The New York Times.