Elaine Clarfield-Gitalis

I am a Canadian fine artist living in Toronto, Ontario. Graduating with honours in 1969 from The Ontario College of Art (OCAD), I majored in textile design. During my training I also fell in love with drawing and painting, having studied with great artists such as John Newman, Hugh Mackenzie, Aba Bayevsky, Tom Lapierre, Eric Freifeld among others.

I always enjoyed the tactile quality of the textures that I created when weaving on my looms. Creating wall-hangings and tapestries, using various sized looms, I often incorporated yarns dyed with natural materials and then spun on an antique spinning wheel.

In 1985 I went back to drawing and painting. For many years, alongside my painting practice, I taught individuals in my studio and also many artist groups such as the Willowdale Artists Group, Markham Group of Artists, and the Toronto Watercolour Society to name a few. Many of my students have themselves gone on to become successful professional artists.

I was a founding member and participated in the Thornhill Artists Studio Tour for many years. At this venue my studio was a popular stop and I was one of the top selling artists.

With the need to focus on my own work I eventually retired from teaching. Most of my efforts today are directed towards exploring new inspirations that I translate into a  resultant series of paintings.