Although a native of Baton Rouge, Ellen Case has used her interested in taking pictures as a vehicle. Photographing areas of the state as well as parts of China, Case’s time as a photographer has allowed to come into her own as an artist, finding her voice through graphical expression.
Case is the organizer of “Eclectic,” an upcoming exhibit at the Coates Guesthouse on Hyacinth Avenue. The exhibit features the work of both Case and her daughter Alice, as well as some works by ceramics artist Jackie McManus.
As a college student, Case took several art classes. However, she only began pursuing photography in the last decade. She describes herself as “self-taught,” having learned tricks of the trade from other photographers. Case’s work has been featured in shows for the Louisiana Photographic Society and the Burden Museum and Gardens.
“I learned things on my own,” Case said. “I went to several workshops with different professionals. I started taking photographs a while back when I got my first digital [camera].”
Before making the leap into being an independent artist, Case did some work with single-lens reflex, or SLR, cameras. After purchasing her own, more advanced digital SLR, things changed for the better. She made a voyage to China, where she photographed natural landscapes, rural life and industrial development, particularly the Three Gorges Dam which overlooks the Yangtze River.
Landscapes play a large part in Case’s photographic focus. Shots from different parts of the country show her penchant for traveling. Recently, she has taken up a new form of graphic medium — alternative printing methods. Taking her photographs, Case tests different forms of printing images. She makes use of various types of papers, metal sheets and gold-encrusted gilt paper.
Case’s daughter, Alice Case, works in painting and drawings. A University graduate, Alice’s pieces have more abstract designs than those of Ellen’s photographs. Alice’s paintings show a propensity for geometric shapes, angles and contrasting color combinations.
“I always found that [my daughter and I] would look at our paintings and photographs, and they were very similar,” Case said. “Very similar in terms of content, geometry and color. When we were asked to do the show, I thought Alice would be very fitting. We cross over on a lot of stuff.”
The third of the exhibit’s artists is Jackie McManus. When she isn’t working on her art, McManus works as a director of cell biology at ProteoVec, a local biotechnical company focused on protein manufacturing. Balancing science and art, McManus works in a variety of handmade craft mediums — ceramics, stained glass, jewelry and woodworking.
Case said there is no overall theme to “Eclectic.” Rather, the featured pieces from the artists’ collections were selected to display a wide range of possible artistic media. In the case of “Eclectic,” the range is specifically showcasing photography, painting, drawing, jewelry and ceramics.
“We just chose our best work,” Case said. “Mine … is travel. My daughter is abstract. Jackie is more traditional.”
“Eclectic” comes to the Coates Guesthouse as part of its monthly invitationals. “Eclectic” will have its final week-long, free exhibition Friday, Feb. 20.