About the Artist
Artist's Statement and Bio
I paint in my studio on the Milwaukee River in Mequon, Wisconsin. Current themes for the oil paintings are: Wisconsin nature, and women. The preservation of our wild areas is important to me, and I hope my statements in oil on canvas invite a closer look at the mystery and miracle and fragility of woodlands wild creatures and waters of Wisconsin. Using light and atmosphere to tell a story, the paintings often show a myth-like reality of a time and place of importance and power that only nature lends. You may notice the paintings are all nature, no human fences, roads, buildings etc.
The series of wise women, are portraits of Midwest women I know, elaborating on the power and strengths of gentleness, intelligence, connections with nature and more.
Working in watercolor/gouache for many years informs the often thin layers of atmosphere the oils start with. Painting small for illustrations have led me to now love painting large, to put a voice to the magic and majesty of our outdoors.
The oil paintings are in the collections of Outpost Foods, Remington’s River Inn, Hearthstone Community, Wright House, Bank First Cedarburg and many private collections throughout the country. Works have been in Alive in the Arts, Plymouth Arts Center (award), Wisconsin Wildlife Biennial, Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay WI; at Boerner Gardens (solo show), Hidden River Arts Festival, Brookfield WI the Annual Juried Exhibition of the Cedarburg Artists Guild (blue ribbon) and more.
Shows
2025
All year: Oil paintings represented by Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, WI. https://woodwalkgallery.com/
All year: Oil paintings represented by Mercantile Plaza Gallery, 211 N Franklin St , Port Washington, WI ph (262)
12-7-24 to 1-19-25 Museum of Wisconsin Art: Dappled Deep in group show
12-7 -24 to 1-31-25 Ellen Anderson: Natureworks: Washington House Inn, solo show W62N573 Washington Ave.
Cedarburg, WI ph 262-375-3550
3-1-25 to 3-31-25 Light and Depth: Firefly Gallery, solo show 7365 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 414-471-8484
6-12-25 to 7-26-25 Northern National Art Exhibition: My painting Cheryl juried in. 5364 College Dr. Rhinelander, WI
7-1-25 to 8-31-25 The Steinhauer Trust Gallery: The Rustle of Leaves and The Murmur of Moonbeams, solo show
1207 Seminoe Hwy, Madison, WI 608-263-7888
10-10-25 through 10-12-25 ANNUAL STUDIO OPEN HOUSE, part of the Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour , 10-5 each
day. 12739 E. Shoreland Dr, Mequon, WI. Only time all year all my work is in one place! Come see our gardens of art.
11-1 25 to 11-30-25 solo show: Washington House Inn, solo show W62N573 Washington Ave.
Cedarburg, WI ph 262-375-3550
2024
All year: Oil paintings represented by Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, WI. https://woodwalkgallery.com/
All year: Oil paintings represented by Mercantile Plaza Gallery, 211 N Franklin St Suite 102, Port Washington, WI ph (262) 235-4071
7/20-8-25 In Harmony Art Music History; Cedarburg Cultural Center https://www.cedarburgculturalcenter.org/
8/1-8/31 Solo Show: Firefly Gallery, 7725 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI
10/13 through 10/15: The Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour by the Cedarburg Artists Guild; this is the only time my studio is open and all my current art will be available!
11/1-11/30 Solo Show: Washington House Inn W62 N573 Washington Ave. Cedarburg WI ph 262-375-3550
6/1-6/30 Art Servancy Show, Gallery 224, Port Washington, WI https://www.gallery224.org
2022
All year: oil paintings represented by Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, WI.
11/1-11/30 Solo Show: Whimsies: Watercolor Prints of Ellen Anderson Washington House Inn, Cedarburg, WI
10/7-10/9 The Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour by the Cedarburg Artists Guild Oct. My only open studio of the year!
9/2-10/9 Juried Show: The Annual Juried Exhibit, Cedarburg Artists Guild, Cedarburg Cultural Center W62 N546 Washington Ave. Cedarburg, WI. W-SA 10-5 SU 10-4.
7/1-8/31 Solo Show: Whimsies: Watercolor Prints. The Outpost, Mequon, WI
6/15-8/15 Solo Show: Woods and Waters original oil paintings of Wisconsin nature; The Schlitz Audubon Gallery 1111 E Brown Deer Road, Bayside WI
5/16-5-29 Juried Show: Culture & Agriculture, New Visions Gallery, Marshfield WI: Good Morning, Girls
5/28-8/14 Juried Show: Trout Museum of Art: Contemporary Show, Appleton, WI: Cheryl
5/1-5-31 Solo Show: Ellen Anderson: Oils on Canvas Firefly Gallery, Wauwatosa Library Building 7725 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa WI
3/1-4/30 Juried Show: Magical Mysterious Tour, Woodwalk Gallery. On-line show at: www.woodwalkgallery.com: The Familiar Forest
Group Show: Artdose Magazine x Honey and Ace Juried Exhibition: Marsh Breeze (sold) 24x36 oil on canvas. Oct 16, 2021-Jan 31, 2022. 817 New York Ave. Sheboygan, WI. Open Tue through Sat 11 am-7 pm
Group Show: 10th Annual Member's Exhibit, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, WI Jan. 21-Mar 6
2021
Group Show: A Generous Kingdom V (virtual due to covid pandemic) Verum Ultimum Gallery, Portland OR Jan 1-Mar, 2021 https://www.verumultimumartgallery.com/a-generous-kingdom-v Silent Survey, 24x36 oil on canvas
Member's Exhibit, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, WI; January 29-March 14
Culture and Agriculture Show at Marshfield Health System (virtual due to covid pandemic) (Maisie's Tree 24x36 was purchased by them)
Solo Show: Washington House Inn W62 N573 Washington Ave. Cedarburg, WI 4-1-2021 through 4-30-2021
Group Show: Natureworks at the Cedarburg Cultural Center W62N546 Washington Ave. Cedarburg WI
4-23-21 through 6-6-21
Cancelled due to covid: Solo Show: Firefly Gallery Wauwatosa Public Library 7725 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 5-1-2021 through 5-31-2021
Cancelled due to covid: Solo Show: The Schlitz Audubon Gallery 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Bayside, WI 5-1-2021 through 6-30-2021
Cheryl, 24x48, oil on canvas, awarded blue ribbon. and Barbara, 48x24, oil on canvas, at
Cedarburg Artists' Guild Annual Juried Exhibition, at the Cedarburg Cultural Center W62N546 Washington Ave. Cedarburg WI through 10-10-21
Covered Bridge Art Studio Tour, open studio weekend Fri 10-8-21 12-5 p.m. Sa/Sun 10-9-21 & 10-10-21 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1 of 50 artists opening studios. I am stop #24 on your map, printable at http://www.cedarburgartistsguild.com
My studio will be open, many oil paintings available, signed limited edition prints from my watercolor illustration days, and more.
Cancelled due to covid: Solo Show: The Outpost Gallery 7590 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 11-1-2021 through 12-31-2021
Artdose Magazine x Honey and Ace Juried Exhibition: Marsh Breeze 24x36 oil on canvas (sold). Oct 16, 2021-Jan 31, 2022. 817 New York Ave. Sheboygan, WI. Open Tue through Sat 11 am-7 pm
Marin (CA) Society of Artists National Juried Exhibition: All About Women. Cheryl, oil on canvas 48x24 August 28 - October 28, 2021 msartists.org (click on virtual gallery)
The Water Show: Michigan I, Michigan II (both 24x36 oil on canvas) and The Moon in Our Waters 20x30 oil on canvas,at the Cedarburg Cultural Center W62N546 Washington Ave. Cedarburg WI Oct 15-Nov 28, 2021
The XX Wildlife Biennial Juried Show, Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI Nov/Dec 2021: Silent, 20x30 oil on
canvas (sold)
Before oil painting, I owned a nationally sold greeting card line, selling up to 250,000 cards annually. Children's books are also of special interest, and I have illustrated about 15 published books, listed at the bottom of the bio. I have illustrated for The National Wildlife Federation, and many other venues, and currently illustrate a series of children's books for Kohl's Building Blocks/Penfield Children's Center, about understanding differences.
Published Books:
Don't Call Me Wiggles by Rebecca Michelsen and Stephanie Shabangu
The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering by Sharon Mehdi, pub by Viking Penguin Putnam; American Booksellers Top 50
Mother Makes a Mistake by Ann Dorer, pub by Gareth Stevens, Inc.; 3 printings
The Great Getaway, by Olga Cossi, pub by Gareth Stevens, Inc.
Tears of Joy, by Barbara Behm
Mr. Lincoln Goes to Washington, by Barbara Behm (local author, fun dachshund book)
Mr. Lincoln Goes to Hollywood, by Barbara Behm (local author, fun daschshund book)
Wilder's Fantastic Five, by Rebecca Michelsen and Stephanie Shabangu, pub by Kohl's Building Blocks
Everyone Can Be a Friend, by Rebecca Michelsen and Stephanie Shabangu, pub by Kohl's Building Blocks
Learn to Sign With Jackie by Cristina Moreno and Rebecca Michelsen, pub by Kohl's Building Blocks
Activity Book by Rebecca Michelsen, pub by Kohl's Building Blocks
My First Christmas Story, pub by Avon (w figurines)
I've Got Oatmeal on My Blazer by Rochelle Wallach
I've Got Peanutbutter in My Hair! by Jean Ann vonRohr
~Cedarburg Artist's Guild, 2021 & 2022 President; 2023 Board Member
~Wisconsin Visual Artists, Member
~BFA Rockford University, Rockford, IL
