"I love to paint outdoors on location whenever possible. I often select locations that I know well and feel strongly about... this emotional connection to my subject is very important to my work. I am energized by the sounds, the weather and the scents that surround me, they become a part of my image. The dramatic effect of light breaking through objects and creating strong shadow patterns is often the subject of my work. The constantly changing moods of the New England landscape provide me with the inspiration needed to create.
I want the viewer to share my sense of discovery, capturing the emotion of the moment and sharing it is important to me. To do this I often do a series of value studies. Once I am satisfied with the composition and excited by the value pattern I am ready to work. The final stages of the painting are often completed in my studio where I have time to view and edit the painting without distraction. This stage is the most challenging for me.
I have been painting in watercolors for 26 years, it has become a life long challenge and passion. I currently live and teach art in Chester, Vermont. For the past 15 years I have spent part of each summer sketching and painting on Monhegan Island, Maine. I am a partner in the Beach Tree Gallery in Chester."

Elaine Reed received a BA and MA in Art Education from New Jersey City University. She has studied at the Art Students League in New York and taken many watercolor workshops over the past 25 years.
Elaine had exhibited extensively in New Jersey, Maine and Vermont. Her work has been included in many juried shows. She currently lives, teaches art, and is a partner of a cooperative gallery " Beach Tree Gallery" in Chester, Vermont.