piece using the illumination project.^4 While designing the
invitation to a celebration party for the exhibit, she had “a
moment of grace,”^5 realizing she wanted to continue
exploring these themes of peace and cultural understanding
in her work. She started a foundation, which provides
support and housing for interns who want to learn
illumination. Since 2005, she has been finding interns on
Craigslist from more than fifteen different countries and
inviting them to work in her studio.
In Ellen’s studio, interns are involved in the whole
process: from imagining the initial concept of a piece, to the
creation of it, to even important business decisions that have
to be made for the foundation. They always get their names
added to the work they do.
The decline of the atelier, according to Ellen, has meant
a decline in artistic technique and craft. Her little atelier is
trying to fix that. “I think we bring back an intimacy of
mentorship and training where the apprentice . . . learns
directly from the experienced artist,” she said in an
interview with National Public Radio. “They also acquire
validation. It’s not teaching through critique. It’s not
teaching through judging their own work. It’s teaching
through saying, ‘Yes, and why not try this?’ and, ‘Yes, can
you push this further?’ ”^6
When Ellen teaches, her voice is gentle, almost
motherly, as she guides her students through the technique.
With soothing words of affirmation and phrases that build