Ellen Miffitt brings over thirty years of artistic experience in the arts to her personal expression and art instruction.  I started painting sumi-e in January of 2002 with Fumiko Kimura and registered “Nine Lives Studio” in Oct of 2002.  “I love the deceptive simplicity, the total connection of the senses, and being totally in the now with the Four Treasures (brush, ink sticks, ink stone and paper).  As an artist I am constantly involved with that process of transformation: spirit to image on paper, mixing papers to create new textures, combining a variety of papers to create collage or embossing metal to create texture and modeling Precious Metal Clay to make jewelry are an outlet for my creativity. In my new work I use my digital or photographic images garnered from various locations as subject matter. Then I use watercolor pencils to create more colorful images while keeping my sumi-e training in mind."

Ellen’s art may be seen at the Puget Sound Sumi Artists group exhibits; The Gallery, Bainbridge Arts and Crafts on Bainbridge Island WA , The White Dove Gallery in Lakewood WA, Box Heart Gallery in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; as well as juried exhibits regionally and nationally.

Ellen received a BS (Art/Art Education) from Southern Connecticut State College and a MS (Art/Art Education) from Central Connecticut State College.  Experienced in preparation and presentation of age appropriate activities, her lessons are designed to promote growth, develop new skills and build positive reinforcement in a safe and supportive environment. Currently her art classes for preschool age children to adults are presented locally in the South Puget Sound area at South Puget Sound Community College Community Education, The Evergreen State College Extended Education Program, Tacoma Community College Personal Enrichment Program, Olympia Parks and Recreation, and other venues.