The Beautiful Fine Art Paintings of Miami-based Portrait Artist Elena Kaplan

South Florida visual artist Elena Kaplan creates magnificent contemporary portraits, she is best known for her beautiful paintings of faces and figurative works. “I have always had a deep inner need and desire to create. I want to capture beauty, and my preferred subject is the human face. I could draw or paint a thousand faces and never get bored,” said the artist. “My medium of choice is oil paint, it’s luminous and alive, with endless possibilities, and knowing the masters have painted in oil for hundreds of years, makes it feel special, like an age-old ritual.”

Born and raised in The Netherlands, Elena started drawing as soon as she could hold a pencil and never stopped; if there was a piece of paper in front of her she couldn’t help but draw. Surrounded by world-class museums in her native country, she was fascinated by the works of the old masters, especially Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer. Elena moved to California at the age of eighteen, and studied acting, worked as a make-up artist and in the fitness industry as a trainer and model. She has had a successful career and family life, she resides and paints full-time in Miami. We recently had the pleasure to chat with the artist to learn more about her work and current projects:



Q – What is the best part about being an artist?

A – The best part is doing what I was meant to do on a daily basis. That doesn’t mean I feel inspired every day, and sometimes the process can be downright frustrating, but it’s all worth it when it comes together and I start to feel pleased with the outcome. It’s deeply fulfilling to create something of beauty for others to enjoy. Also, I get to do all of this in the comfort of my home studio, in my own little world, and set my own hours!

Q – Where does your inspiration come from, and how would you describe your work?

A – My inspiration comes from beauty in nature and the human form. I’ve always been obsessed with beautiful faces. I’m trying to convey something ethereal on the canvas. I think my work can be described as abstract realism. I’m not sure if that’s the correct term, but since I’m combining realism with some abstract elements, that makes sense to me.

Q – Which artist or artists (past and/or present) do you admire most and why?

A – I grew up in Holland so I have a special affinity for the masters of the Dutch Golden Age. I remember being in awe as a child seeing some of the masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Fabritius, and others. The way they painted light and likeness, without optic aids, except maybe for a camera obscura, remains very impressive. The late 19th century painters Bouguereau and John Singer-Sargent were very skilled and their depictions of women are just exquisite. I also love the strange, surrealistic works by Dali, such a fascinating person. Chuck Close is another artist I greatly admire, for reviving realism, and for his innovative portraits. Then there are the countless contemporary realist painters, like Alyssa Monks, Casey Baugh, Davis Kassan, I could go on, there are just so many amazing artists I admire.

Q – What is your creative process like, how do you create one of your masterpieces, do you have any fun studio stories to share?

A – I’ll be inspired by an image of a strikingly beautiful face or the female nude body and I will get an idea on how to depict it on my canvas. Sometimes I combine multiple images and of course my imagination. Often I’ll do a grisaille underpainting, then layer color glazes on top, this goes on forever because I’m never satisfied. I’ll always find something to change or correct, at some point I just have to make myself stop. I usually don’t varnish it then either, in case I will still want to change something weeks later.

Q – How can we use the arts to inspire action or positive change in the world?

A – Visual arts evoke emotions, just like music or literature does. It makes us more human, it makes us think. Art stirs something inside of us, our higher self that’s above hatred, pity and separateness. It connects people. Art does not have to be thought-provoking or inspire movements, to do this. Art can lift us up and add joy to our lives. It can bring out compassion and empathy in us, which is sorely needed in this world.

Elena Kaplan has artworks available for sale on her website, as well as special commissions or one-of-a-kind portraits can be requested. To learn more about this fascinating artist, for sales, commissions, general inquires or information, email elena@elenakaplanart.com and visit www.elenakaplanart.com.