Artwork copyright Ellen Steinfeld. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Four Vessels, 1989

Ellen Steinfeld
American (born 1945)

Location: Sidney Glen Elementary, Port Orchard

About the Artwork

Four Vessels is part of artist Ellen Steinfeld’s body of paintings that show the power of natural forces. She created this after viewing many incidents in which people evacuated their homes after environmental disaster. She notes, “The outline of the houses represents dwellings that were once inhabited and are now empty or destroyed and exist as they once were only in memory. The forests and trees are on fire and floods fill the land. The dark skies have images of living creates that wonder what caused the catastrophes. There are also images of hope for regrowth with some vegetation and plants still alive and a bird flying in the sky.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with South Kitsap School District.

About the Artist

Ellen Steinfeld creates paintings, sculptures, mixed media and stained glass. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in painting and design from Carnegie Mellon University and a master's degree in education from the University of Pittsburgh. Always evolving as an artist, she is "interested in interweaving shapes and colors with imaginary organic forms, combining spatial relationships and exploring the microscopic."