Paula Ensign as an artist
Paula Ensign spent her early years in California before moving to Massachusetts where she spent the rest of her childhood. Her artistic gifts presented themselves early on in her life, and she would then study art at university, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois.
Paula painted frequently in her years after university and began exhibiting her work. As soon as she became the mother of three daughters, she quickly lost the time available to focus on her artwork. In motherhood, her creativity was present in everything she did. From making Halloween costumes to volunteering to do the calligraphy on high school dance decorations, Paula’s creative skills were apparent in everything she did.
Once her daughters were through college, she focused all her time on her art career.
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.”
In loving memory of Paula Ensign
June 27th, 1951 - December 30, 2019
Just as Paula’s artistic career began to soar, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She passed away on Bainbridge Island in Washington state—the place she called home—at the end of 2019. The beauty of her spirit is alive in her artwork, as is seen and felt by many. She would be honored to know how her work is treasured still today, and her family appreciates the opportunity to share the legacy she left.
Artistic styles throughout her career
The early years: Watercolor
Working with watercolor was her favorite medium in the early years of her career. With her exceptional drawing skills, her watercolors maintained a stunning balance of technical accuracy in combination with the looseness and openness of the watercolors.
mid-career focus: plein Air
While Paula was training in oil painting, she didn’t take it up until later in her career. Enjoying the flexibility offered by oil, she quickly became enamored with plein air oil painting, or painting outdoors on the site. Her love of nature, travel, and adventuring turned her passion to paint in oil a cross-United-States exploration to discover countless beautiful places.
Her legacy style: Ink & Watercolor
Paula began experimenting with ways to combine ink drawings with watercolor early on. Over the years she came to develop her own signature style, blending black-and-white ink drawings with bright splashes of watercolor. Her distinct style is unmistakably unique, refreshing, and enlivening.