Artist Statement

My current work consist of two different series that both explore relationships and families.

The Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals is a continuing series of prints and large graphite drawings of Lanie Doll and her friends that represent individuals and their emotional relationships with themselves and others. In recurring distressful situations, people often become like dolls, putting forward a cheerful personae no matter what is happening. The dolls encapsulate the personality of an individual and allows me to explore the inner workings of painful relationships without being immersed in the reality of difficult interactions. Although there is a playful side, the underlining theme is fear, cruelty, isolation, and survival. Though the situations represented are far from real, no stuffed animals were harmed in the making of the work, they capture the aura that surround people who on the outside appear happy while actually experiencing deep sorrow, loneliness, and tension in their daily lives.

I use layers of graphite pencil in the large drawing or dense black ink in the prints to achieve deep blacks in the space surrounding the stuffed animals confirming the feeling of isolation one feels when totally overwhelmed and powerless. The drawings are larger than life (the largest being 94" x 144") so that they surround the viewer and encapsulate them into a disturbing but at the same time strangely whimsical moment causing a mixed reaction to the work.

Secret Lives Of Houses is a series of prints that uses the everyday classic house shape we learn to draw as a child as a representation for the people who live in them. They, the houses, express the personalities within – the emotions and relationships of the owners or souls of the house with the world around them.

‍

Artist Biography

Elaine M. Erne, co-founder and co-director of Star Wheel Printers, grew up in central Pennsylvania and received her BFA from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA and her MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

She has resided in Philadelphia, PA since she graduated from Tyler. Erne’s drawings and prints have been featured in numerous invitational and juried national exhibitions. She has had multiple solo exhibitions: They See All, IA&A Hillyer Gallery, Washington DC; Small Drawing and Prints, The Study, Philadelphia, PA; Lives And Traumas Of Stuffed Animals, Artworks, Center for Contemporary Art, Loveland, CO; Lanie Doll and Friends, House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; Mr. Bunny Misses His Friends, Nexus, Foundation for Today’s Arts, Philadelphia PA; Elaine M. Erne: Drawing and Prints, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; Mr. Bunny and Friends, Nexus, Foundation for Today’s Arts, Philadelphia PA; The Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals, BahdeeBahdu Gallery, Philadelphia, PA; a Wind Challenge Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA; and a Community Gallery Solo Exhibition, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA. Erne is a recipient of a Dene M. Louchheim Faculty Fellowship, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA and a Career Development Fellowship with The Center for Emerging Visual Artist, Philadelphia, PA. She was one of 25 artists selected by the Center of Emerging Visual Artist to represent them in their 25th Year Anniversary Exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Erne won the Jane Friend Purchase Award in the Brand Associates' 43rd Annual Works On Paper National Juried Exhibition in Glendale, CA. She is currently on the faculty at Drexel University, Moore College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, and the Fleisher Art Memorial all in Philadelphia, PA.

‍

Education

Tyler School of Art, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
MFA, glass casting

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Painting and glass with a minor in English

‍

Continuing Education

Manhattan Graphic Center, New York, NY
Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, New York, NY
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, Philadelphia, PA

‍

Awards and Grants

2020
Black and White 3, Honorable Mention, Denton, TX

2015
Jane Friend Purchase Award, Brand 43 Works on Paper Annual National Juried Exhibition, Brand Library Art Galleries, Glendale, CA

2013
Juror's Choice Award, Eye of the Beholder, Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis, MD

2008
Juror’s Award, Art on Paper, Maryland Federation for Art, Baltimore, MD

2008
Nominated: Independence Foundation Fellowship, Philadelphia Community Arts, Philadelphia, PA

2008
Daly Award, Paper 2008, Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

2005
Juror’s Award, The Print Show, Maryland Federation for Art, Baltimore, MD

2003
Juror’s Award, Works on Paper 2003, Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, NJ

‍

Fellowships and Residencies

2015
Picasso Project, PCCY, Philadelphia, PA

CPA, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA  

2013- 2021
Career Development Fellowship, The Center for Emerging Visual Artist, Philadelphia, PA

2003-05  
Dene M. Louchheim Faculty Fellowship, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2004
Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA 1988

‍

Bibliography

Erne and Rindone. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, June 23, 2023"

"Members of Star Wheel Printers," Philadelphia Stories Magazine, Fall 2015

Minetulla, Erica "Members Show: Featured Artist: Elaine M. Erne," InLiquid, August 16, 2013

"Sticky Bunnies: A Temporary Lost Art Form," Metro, May, 26, 2011

Vigar, Ismaa "Impact of abuse on children," iheartartnyc.com, October 16, 2009

McCann, Courtney "Artist uses stuffed toys to make statement about abuse,"The Press of Atlantic City, 10/8/09

Newhall, Edith "Variety of creatures featuring light, sound, humor," Philadelphia Inquirer, August 30, 2009

"16 from co-op show work," Philadelphia Inquirer, June 2009

Strauss, R.B. "The New Art Season Start NOW!," Art Stalker, weeklypress.com, September, 2007

"Mr. Bunny and Friends Artist Interview with the Artist," NexusTV, September 2007

‍

Publications

Erne, Elaine M. Pronto Plate Lithography, the Instant Lithography, studio manual, ©2008

Erne, Elaine M. Basic Stone and Plate Lithography, studio manual, ©2004

Erne, Elaine M. Kiln-fired Glass: the Basics for a Beginner, studio manual, ©2001

‍

Affiliation

Cheltenham Printers Guild, Cheltenham, PA

NEXUS, Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia, PA

Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, New York, NY

Manhattan Graphics Center, New York, NY

The Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT

College Art Association

‍

Professional Experience

2013 - present
Co-founder with Nicole P. Dul, Star Wheel Printers
Star Wheel Printers is a collective which supports, promotes, and shares printmaking with artists and the communities of Philadelphia through social media, consistent exhibitions, outreach to art organizations, and collaborative projects.

2015 - present
Faculty in Art and Art History Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

2010 – present
Faculty in Foundation, Illustration, and Fine Arts Departments, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA
• 2011-2015, Summer Art and Design Institute pre-college program
• 2013-2014, Young Artist's Workshops
• 2004-2009, Academic Affairs Coordinator

1998 - present
Fine Arts Instructor, Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2012
Juror, Annual Juried Student Show, Art & Art History Department, Franklin and Marshal College, Lancaster, PA

‍

Curatorial and Lectures

2019
Print Explosion Printmaking Symposium, demonstration on Akua Liquid Pigments for monotypes, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

First Edition 2019: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, University of the Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Curator

2018
Philadelphia Printers, SWP, demonstration on polyester plate lithography, Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA

First Edition 2018: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
Curator

2017
Expanding Horizons Printmaking Symposium, demonstration on silk aquatint, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

First Edition 2017: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2016
Artist's Lecture, Altered States, Moore College of Art and Design. Philadelphia, PA

Lecture and Demonstration – Silk Aquatint, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

First Edition 2016: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA
Curator

2014
Making Our Mark: Philadelphia Printmakers, The Avenue Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Lecture for Student Gallery, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

‍

Curated Exhibitions

2017
First Edition 2017: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2016
First Edition 2016: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2015
First Edition 2015: Graduating Philadelphia Printmakers, Star Wheel Printers, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2014
Making Our Mark: Philadelphia Printmakers, The Avenue Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2011
Nexus Alumni Invitational, Celebrating 35 Years of Art, Nexus, Philadelphia, PA

Exhibitions

Solo

2024
Secret Lives Of Houses, Settlement Music School, Cheltenham, PA

2023
Elaine M. Erne: What They See, IA&A at Hillyer Gallery, Washington DC

Elaine M. Erne, Small Drawings and Prints, The Study at University City, Philadelphia, PA

2022
Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals, Artwork Center for Contemporary Art, Loveland, CO

2019
Lanie Doll and Friends, The House Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Auathe Bouton and Elaine M. Erne, Cheltenham Center for Art, Cheltenham, PA

2011
Mr. Bunny Misses His Friends, Nexus Foundation for Today’s Art, Philadelphia, PA

2009
Elaine M. Erne: Drawings and Prints, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ

2007
Mr. Bunny and Friends, Nexus, Foundation for Today’s Arts, Philadelphia, PA

The Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals, BahdeeBahdu Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Wind Challenge Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

2006
Community Gallery Solo Series Exhibition, selected work from the Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals, Abington Art Center, Abington, PA

2004
Dene M. Louchheim Faculty Fellowship Solo Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

‍

Group and Juried Exhibitions

2024
Works On Paper-Make Your Mark, Core Gallery, Denver, CO

Women in Art-2024, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA

Drawing Collection, Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art, Exploration-Printmaking Bi-annual, Cheltenham, Center for Art, Cheltenham, PA

Friends, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Expanding Methodologies In Print, West Chester University, West Cheater, PA

Works On Paper, The Philadelphia Sketch Club, Philadelphia, PA

2023
Annual Juried Exhibition, American Color Print Society, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA

The Drama Of Light And Shadow, MVA Gallery, Bethlehem, PA

Storytellers-2023, Las Laguna Art Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA  

Director's Choice, Viridian Artists, Inc, New York, NY

Is It Me, The Trolley Barn, Poughkeepsie, NY

STORY: Real or Not so Much, National Exhibition, Escondido Arts Partnership Gallery, Escondido, CA

14th Annual Drawing Discourse, S. Tucker Cooke Gallery, University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC

Intergalactic, ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA

All Abroad, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

What If, Gallery 114, Portland, OR

2022
Second State Press Print Exchange, Philadelphia, PA

Small Works 2022, Main Street Arts Clifton Springs, NY

Transition, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

Companions, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2021
Bold, Montgomery Community College, Blue Bell, PA

International Miniature Print Exhibition, Greenwich Arts Council, Bendheim Gallery, Greenwich, CT

Cheltenham Printmakers Guild, The Hill at Whitemarsh, Lafayette, PA

Altered States, Pennswood Gallery, Newtown, PA

Summer Exhibition, OCJAC, Philadelphia, PA

Not! An Art Fair Exhibition, ShockBoxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA

Fanciful Expressions, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL

Juried Exhibition, Five Points Gallery, Torrington, CT

34th Women’s Works 2021, Old Courthouse Arts Center, Woodstock, IL

13th  Biennial International Mini Print Exhibition, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT

June National Juried Group Art Show, Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO

National Open Juried Exhibition, Providence Art Club, Providence, RI

Altered States, Pennswood Gallery, Newtown, PA

2020
Small Works, Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY

Black + White III, Envision Arts, Denton, TX

Embodiment: Figure in Art, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Thinking in Reverse, Chester County Art Association, West Chester, PA

2019
International Miniature Print Exhibition, Manhattan Graphics Center, New York, NY

Philadelphia Stories Magazine 15th Anniversary Exhibition, CCA, Cheltenham, PA

4th International Mini-Print Exhibition, Manhattan Graphics Center, New York, NY

Current Prints by Cheltenham Printers Guild, Saint John's Gallery, Elkins Park, PA

Annual Members' Exhibition, Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, New York, NY

Spooky, Creepy, Cute, Jed Williams Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Print Explosion, Cheltenham Center for the Art, Cheltenham, PA

Inside-Outside, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA‍

Small World, Artspace 1241, Philadelphia, PA

Prints by the Cheltenham Printers Guild, Yocum Art Institute, Reading, PA

Selected Work, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia, PA

Faculty Triennial, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

Beyond Mark Making, ARTWORKS, Trenton, NJ

International Print Exchange and Exhibition: North and South Pressnorth Printmakers, Umbella Studio Contemporary Arts, North Queensland, Australia   
Firestation Print Studio, Armadale, Victoria, Australia    
Bluegrass Printmakers' Co-op, Lexington, Kentucky

2018
Print Effect 2018: Small Work/Big Effect, Manhattan Graphics Center, New York, NY

Small Works, Annex Gallery of the 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Cheltenham Printer's Guild, Georgetown Academy, Elkins Park, PA

Philadelphia Printmakers, Moody Jones Gallery, Glenside, PA

Life/Death/Rebirth, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Printers, SWP, Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA

Second State Press: Prints We Made, University of the Arts Printmaking Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

New Now, InLiquid Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

2017
‍77th Member Exhibition,  Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

Cheltenham Printers Guild, Gratz College, Elkins Park, PA

Expanding Horizons, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

Connections and Disconnections, Schmidt Gallery, GoggleWorks, Reading, PA

119th Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

Current Work SWP, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Four Printmakers, Cheltenham Printers Guild, Gratz College, Elkins Park, PA

Expanding Horizons, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

Connections and Disconnections, Schmidt Gallery, GoggleWorks, Reading, PA

119th Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

Current Work SWP, 3rd Street Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Four Printmakers, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

2016
Selected Cheltenham Printers Guild, Legends Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Aberration, Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA

Altered States, Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PA

118th Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

11th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Axis Gallery, Sacramento, CA

Printmakers Guild, Cheltenham Center for the Arts, Cheltenham, PA

10th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition, Bendheim Gallery, Greenwich, CT

Do You Hear What I Hear?, A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

A Celebration of Color, Dupree Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Cheltenham Printers Guild, East Rotunda, State Capital Building, Harrisburg, PA

Generation X: Razzle Dazzle, A.I.R Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

2015
Brand 43 Works on Paper Annual National Juried Exhibition, Brand Library Art Galleries Glendale, CA

Memories and Metaphors, Holy Family University Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Dab Art's 2015 Summer Juried Exhibition,The HUD Gallery, Ventura, CA

117th Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

National Juried Exhibition: Works on Paper-2015, Long Beach Island Foundation, Loveladies, NJ

Mark on the Wall (small works on paper), Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA
Juried Exhibition

10th Biennial International Miniature Print Exhibition, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT

74th Annual Juried Exhibition, The Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, PA

Surface and Tension; A Print Show, The Orchard Artworks, Bryn Athyn, PA

2014
Dark, Arc Studios and Gallery, San Francisco, CA

Let This Be A Sign, Print Exchange 2014, 7 Dunham Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

116th Annual Faculty Exhibition, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

Making Our Mark: Philadelphia Printmakers, The Avenue Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

EAS at the PMA, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA

Drawing Strength, bahdeebahdu Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Branching Out, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT

One Last Look, Second State Press, The Crane Building, Philadelphia, PA

2013
Holy Daze – A Group Exhibition, The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA

Almost Three Years of Printmaking, Recitation Gallery, University of Delaware, DE

Member's Show, Second State Press, InLiquid, PPC, Icebox Project, Philadelphia, PA

115 Annual Faculty Show, Fleisher Art Memorial, Philadelphia, PA

Eye of the Beholder, Maryland Federation for Art, Annapolis, MD Received
Juried Exhibition, Juror's Choice Award

Portraits in Print, Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Norwalk, CT

Woman of All Colors, International Exhibition of Women Artists, Liz Long Gallery, Chicago, IL

Home and History, Plastic Club, Philadelphia, PA

Second State, Second Edition, Metropolitan Gallery 250, Philadelphia, PA

‍