About Aimee Ellingsen, Artist

NFAA Award Winner • Cooper Union School of Art

My family’s nickname for me as a child was “Space Cadet.” This was rather apt, for numerous reasons: I was obsessed with the moon from the time I was a baby, as evidenced by my first sentence, “See the moon in the ‘ky?” As well, my great grandma and great aunt, both professional astrologers, pointed out how my personality perfectly reflected my Sun in Aquarius (no wonder, as it is the ruler of my chart). I was also known for being “spaced out,” but in truth I was deep in abstract thought while observing nature, or letting an artistic idea form in my head, or simply meditating.

To this day, I delight in time where I can be a Space Cadet, observing and contemplating this magical world and our sentient universe, and channeling what it gives me into art. 

Folks who see me making my art, whether it’s my beloved partner Andrew or ceramics studio friends, often ask me what a piece is going to be, or how I planned out a piece when they see the final result. The answer is, I never have a plan in mind when I sit down to make art: I just wait for it to flow. Certain themes appear and repeat but each watercolor or ceramic piece is created in a flow state of meditation in which I let the materials lead me on a collaborative journey. 

My hope is that my art brings those viewing it into a similarly meditative state: bring some into your home and experience the joy of being a Space Cadet.