Elaine Mathews describes herself as a traditional artist influenced by California Impressionism. She lives in the Palm Springs area and paints both very large, semi-impressionistic landscapes and small plein air paintings, using a palette knife and brush.

The year she was born, Mathews' family moved from Ohio to Compton, California, where her formative years were spent drawing and painting the changing light and shadows cast by the sun on the San Gabriel Mountains. Her love for nature is evident in all of her landscapes. She strives to capture the ageless beauty of our land and preserve it on canvas for future generations to enjoy. Her favorite landscapes include the desert and coast of Southern California, Big Sur, the rolling hills of Northern California, and the mountains and rivers of the neighboring states of Arizona, Utah, Oregon, and Washington state.

In describing her motivation, Mathews explains, "the beauty of California attracts people from around the globe. It is the primary inspiration for my work. I hope by viewing my paintings, people will be reminded of times spent experiencing the splendor and ruggedness of the California landscape. I consider myself a traditional artist influenced by the California impressionists, particularly William Wendt and Benjamin Brown."

Mathews' holds a B.A. in studio art from California State University, Long Beach, and an M.A. from Azuza Pacific University. She is co-chairperson of the California Art Club's desert chapter and was formerly the chairperson of the art department at Savanna High School in Anaheim. To learn more about Elaine Mathews and her work visit elaineartist.com.