Elaine Abrahams is a self-taught artist who started painting some forty
years ago as an expression of creativity. Elaine enjoyed this along with her
main passion at the time, singing and music. She was very involved in music
as a vocalist up until a few years ago. Throat surgery has left her unable
to sing but at the same time her desire to paint has blossomed and taken on
a new direction.
Painting mainly in acrylics now, Elaine enjoys painting large-sized artworks
along with smaller works particularly portraits of people’s beloved pets.
Many times, over the past 10 years, she has been “given” a picture in her
mind with a sense that she has to paint it now! Always knowing the subject
matter is beyond her natural ability, she also knows she will be enabled to
do it once she begins. Inspiration for these paintings has often come out of
a time of prayer and meditation.
I have been most fortunate to work as a composer in close collaboration with Elaine on a number of her works. I was always struck by her sensitivity and ability to recognise and portray different facets and moods of the musical score in a very real and visual way. The spiritual dimension that she brings to her art is not only highly successful leaving the viewer greatly impacted, but also speaks of a close relationship with her Creator. She is a highly professional artist who delivers much more than just a painting. Without fail Elaine creates works of art that transcend the here and now, reaching deep into the recesses of the heart they find a home and speaks to the heart from within. It has been an absolute pleasure working with Elaine and I hope to do so again in the future.
Over many years, I have observed Elaine’ s involvement in painting developing from a relaxing hobby into a passionate expression of her Christian faith, a process that has required her to develop technical skills that have continually stretched her beyond her limitations. An intensifying sense of totally dedicating her efforts to the glory of God that has accompanied this process means that many of her paintings are much more than beautiful images. They touch the spirit. Paintings that I find particularly moving are ‘The Call’, ‘Today? Perhaps?’ and, above all, ‘The face of Jesus’, which speaks to me of his strength, gentleness, compassion and gracious acceptance of me. Thank you, Elaine