Ellen Haiken studied at Cooper Union, where she majored in sculpture. She studied under Reuben Kadish and Christopher Wilmarth. Her work is in collections around the country and in Japan . She accepts commissions for portraits and other custom work.

"When I started to paint after a wrist injury made carving difficult, I had to learn how to see all over again. As a sculptor, I saw the world in terms of solid forms and lines. Shadows, which I used to define forms, had no color- they were just dark to me. As a painter, I now look at everything in patches of different colors- and light is more important than shadow. Color defines my forms.

"If my paintings need an accompanying story or statement, then I've failed."

elhaiken@gmail.com