EXPRESSION: New Castle grad showcases talent at art gallery

By Lugene Hudson
New Castle News

January 27, 2009 07:03 am

— Buried treasure can remain undiscovered for years.
For New Castle native Tia Ellis, simple doodling led to unveiling a hidden asset. Now her talents are being showcased for the first time at an art gallery in Cincinnati.
Ellis said she has always liked to �think big.� So to have her work represented in a large city known for its art community, galleries and museums is an honor.
About 15 of her abstract pieces will be shown in a one-woman show at the Internet Caf� of the Findlay Market in downtown Cincinnati from Feb. 1 to Feb. 28.
Her big ideas led to double booking. Unfortunately, the first show with a non-profit major gallery was canceled due to lack of funding. But she planned another show to replace that one and while she prepared, she also aimed to attend inaugural events in Washington, D.C. In Cincinnati, she is the news director�s assistant, weekend assignment editor and helps with two Web sites at WCPO, an ABC affiliate ��what she calls a demanding job. But the enthusiastic, well-spoken 2000 graduate of New Castle High School is eager to handle it all.
Her art talent lay dormant throughout high school and at Clarion University where Ellis majored in communications and teleproduction and had a radio show. As far as art, �I didn�t know I was good at it.�
Then, by chance, she started doodling as a hobby. There was no formal training.
�I just painted,� she said matter-of-factly.
The work evolved with Ellis applying bright acrylic colors to blank canvas. She particularly enjoys using reds.
One day, a friend asked where a painting on her apartment wall came from.
�I painted it,� Ellis told the woman.
With abstract, there basically are no rules.
�If I�m going through a situation, I paint the feeling� she elaborated. �I�m very emotional.�
One of her favorite pieces, �Sick with Love,� is �basically a silhouette of a woman. One hand is rested on her head. The other is holding her stomach. It shows the ups and downs of a relationship.�
Another called �Blue Lady� has a character with blue hair and represents that everyone feels sad from time to time. �Post It� is a painting of a bunch of different piled-up squares depicting people�s busy schedules. She also makes posters of her paintings.
One of those was snatched up by friend and college classmate, Sher� ree Glover, who also works in Cincinnati. The Warren, Ohio, native said Ellis uses so many colors that exhibit life.
�She is multi-dimensional. Tia has two characteristics any artist should have � personalization and her heartfelt approach.
�I�m Tia�s No. 1 fan,� Glover declares. �Watching her grow is a blessing.�
Ellis, who is also trying to solidify a show at a coffee shop near the University of Cincinnati, knows abstract is not for everyone.
�My painting is an outlet and might not be someone else�s cup of tea. Those who have embraced it are overwhelming.�
Her mother, Coleen Ellis of West Pittsburg, brother Ty Ellis and other family members are supportive and will attend the opening.
�I�m really flattered and humbled by this,� Ellis said, adding as a minority artist being featured during Black History Month, it�s particularly exciting. It�s cliched, but I�m a small-town girl with big ideas. I want to impact.�
Support also comes from Mona Morrow, WCPO community affairs director. Morrow, who was initially amazed Ellis wasn�t more open about her artistic abilities, finds her paintings appealing because they are �about everyday feelings everyone has.�
A poster of �Distracted� was perfect for Morrow, she said, because she could see herself in the painting.
The upcoming art show is huge, she summarized, noting Ellis is also a beautiful writer.
�This will open doors for other shows and people of note to see her write. It�s a steppingstone to do better and bigger things. She�s on her way and she deserves it.�
The hidden quality is concealed no more.

(To view some of Tia Ellis' works, visit www.tiamaeart.com)

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