Ilene Reed is a self-taught artist born in Denver, Colorado and raised in various parts of the state. Growing up, Ilene engaged with her natural environment by fostering orphaned animals a practice that would later become a major source of inspiration for her artwork. Amid relocating and adjusting to different towns, she discovered her skill and passion for art when she won first place in a state art contest in second grade. Attending high school in rural Colorado, Ilene got her first set of oil paints from an art teacher and created a stunning painting of mallards landing on a river - a piece that won her a two-year college scholarship which she ultimately had to turn down to help her family with a janitorial business.
Ilene's initial foray into the world of art began at the age of three when gifted with coloring books and crayons. However, it was the age of 17 when she was first introduced to oil paints and canvas where she found her creative calling - she wanted to be a wildlife artist. Despite moving to Grand Island, Nebraska and then to Crete, Nebraska, her passion for art never dissipated. After working in public relations and being appointed as Colorado Director of the Minority and Women's Business Office, Ilene returned to Colorado, ready to convert her long-cherished dream of art into a business.
Her art is a deep tribute to her love for Colorado's resplendent landscapes, the sunsets' ever-changing light, the mesmerizing skies against the backdrop of the Rockies, and the dynamic interaction of wildlife. Her creative process is an amalgamation of love, vision, spirituality, and hope. Each painting stands as an invitation for the viewer to immerse themselves in the enchanting beauty of nature. By using a unique technique of thin paint layering to focus on realism, Ilene has created a stand-out identity for her art. The individuality of her art also lies in its engaging quality. It's not just about viewing beautiful wildlife in a natural setting - it's about participating in the curiosity and the wildlife connection to the natural world.
Ilene's major influences are renowned artists Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, Alan M. Hunt, George McLean, and Terry Isaac. Some of her greatest highlights in her art career include her painting "Little Big Horn" being juried into the National Museum of Wildlife and "Wake Up Mom . . . Hungry as a Bear" 2016 being awarded 1st Place at the 12th Annual Romancing the Arts Exhibit, Castle Rock, CO. The artworks "Spring Break" 2014 and "The Great Escape?" 2015 also acquired Honorable Mention - Professional Category in the National Arts Program.
Her art has found a home in some major art spaces including The Wildlife Art Museum, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and The Wildlife Experience Museum, Parker, CO and it has been featured in prominent magazines such as Southwest Art Magazine and Western Art and Architecture Magazine. The way she encapsulates spiritual ambience and astonishing realism in her works has garnered admiration from various art appreciators and connoisseurs.
Ilene's ultimate aspiration is for her work to be permanently displayed at the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Smithsonian Art Museum, two prestigious spaces for art. For Ilene, art isn't just a form of expression, but also a potent tool for education. Through her realistic depictions of wildlife in their natural habitat, she aims to increase awareness and understanding about the various species, their requirements, and the challenges they face. While she champions the cause of wildlife through her art, Ilene's belief stands firm: Art isn't just for the eyes, but also for the mind and the soul.No content. Please visit again later.
Ilene's initial foray into the world of art began at the age of three when gifted with coloring books and crayons. However, it was the age of 17 when she was first introduced to oil paints and canvas where she found her creative calling - she wanted to be a wildlife artist. Despite moving to Grand Island, Nebraska and then to Crete, Nebraska, her passion for art never dissipated. After working in public relations and being appointed as Colorado Director of the Minority and Women's Business Office, Ilene returned to Colorado, ready to convert her long-cherished dream of art into a business.
Her art is a deep tribute to her love for Colorado's resplendent landscapes, the sunsets' ever-changing light, the mesmerizing skies against the backdrop of the Rockies, and the dynamic interaction of wildlife. Her creative process is an amalgamation of love, vision, spirituality, and hope. Each painting stands as an invitation for the viewer to immerse themselves in the enchanting beauty of nature. By using a unique technique of thin paint layering to focus on realism, Ilene has created a stand-out identity for her art. The individuality of her art also lies in its engaging quality. It's not just about viewing beautiful wildlife in a natural setting - it's about participating in the curiosity and the wildlife connection to the natural world.
Ilene's major influences are renowned artists Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, Alan M. Hunt, George McLean, and Terry Isaac. Some of her greatest highlights in her art career include her painting "Little Big Horn" being juried into the National Museum of Wildlife and "Wake Up Mom . . . Hungry as a Bear" 2016 being awarded 1st Place at the 12th Annual Romancing the Arts Exhibit, Castle Rock, CO. The artworks "Spring Break" 2014 and "The Great Escape?" 2015 also acquired Honorable Mention - Professional Category in the National Arts Program.
Her art has found a home in some major art spaces including The Wildlife Art Museum, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and The Wildlife Experience Museum, Parker, CO and it has been featured in prominent magazines such as Southwest Art Magazine and Western Art and Architecture Magazine. The way she encapsulates spiritual ambience and astonishing realism in her works has garnered admiration from various art appreciators and connoisseurs.
Ilene's ultimate aspiration is for her work to be permanently displayed at the National Museum of Wildlife Art and the Smithsonian Art Museum, two prestigious spaces for art. For Ilene, art isn't just a form of expression, but also a potent tool for education. Through her realistic depictions of wildlife in their natural habitat, she aims to increase awareness and understanding about the various species, their requirements, and the challenges they face. While she champions the cause of wildlife through her art, Ilene's belief stands firm: Art isn't just for the eyes, but also for the mind and the soul.No content. Please visit again later.