Ileen Kaplan

I paint because painting makes me feel more alive. My paintings tell a story, but it is not a narrative story. It is a story of how I am inspired—by nature, by light and color, by connections with people, or by looking at art or listening to music. I live next to Seneca Lake, and every morning I walk next to the lake, taking in the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of my surroundings. Then I go into my studio and let the painting tell me what to do.

I bring as much of myself and my experiences to the canvas as I can. When I’m on track, the painting will end up having a feeling of calm excitement. That’s when I know it’s done.