Elena Camargo Kern
The only child of Ramon and Julia Camargo Elena was born into a family of diverse artistic ta
lent on May 2, 1942 in San Fernando, CA. Her maternal great-grandmother, Julia Steelman Nichols, was a scientist, published poet and artist. She, and her husband, Dr. W. T. Nichols of Glendale, CA were patrons of the arts and close friends of renowned Early California Plein Air Painter, Granville Redmond (1871-1935). Elena's mother, Julia Steelman, was a pioneer Hollywood stuntwoman. Elena's uncle, Henry Steelman, doubled for silent screen star, Mary Pickford. Hosea Steelman, silent film actor and Elena’s grandfather, was an assistant to famed Hollywood movie director, C. B. De Mille. It was through their friendship with Charlie Chaplin that the Steelman family became friends with deaf artist, Granville Redmond, who taught Chaplin sign- language and pantomime.
One of Elena's earliest childhood memories is that of naptime and drifting off to sleep while looking at a particular Redmond oil painting of the sea. Elena is a self- taught landscape painter whose work is influenced by Redmond, along with the soft palate of Percy Gray. She first tried her hand with oils in 1963. However, for various reasons, she put down her brushes for nearly forty years. In 2002 Elena was encouraged by family friend, Dr. Charles B. Head, Clinical Psychologist, to pick up the brushes and "get going!" She followed Dr. Head’s advice and got off of the sofa, lost 32 pounds, started painting again and found her heart.
Elena opened "Four CornersFineArtGallery" in Idyllwild, CA in December of 2003. Elena was chosen Art Alliance of Idyllwilds’ “Artist of the Year” for two consecutive years, 2005 and 2006, also picking up first place ribbons for the “Peoples Choice” and “Artists’ Choice” awards, for a total of ten first place ribbons. In 2007 she received the “Peoples Choice Artist of The Year” inaugural award. Her work has also been shown in Joseph Zeval Gallery, Skye Gallery, and Two Babes in the Woods Gallery, Idyllwild, CA.
Artist‘s Statement:
“My paintings are born in my imagination…a place of sun, soft breezes, laughter and memories. My parents shared a love of the great outdoors and the beauty of nature. Sunday drives with stream and lakeside picnics were a big part of my childhood. The places we visited have left me with a wellspring of images that are indelibly engraved in my memories of weekend outings with my beloved parents and grandparents. There is a little bit of them in every painting that leaves my easel…”
Elena's motto is: "It's never too late to be what you might have been! ”