Biography
Ellen Lee Field / Ellen Lee Osterfield
Ellen Lee’s parents had no inkling of their daughter’s artistic talents until she surprised them with a drawing she brought home from primary school at around 5 years of age. With much encouragement from her family, Ellen went from strength to strength, drawing constantly in her spare time filling sketchbook after sketchbook! A set of oil paints given to her by her parents when she turned 15 was the beginning of Ellen Lee’s love affair with art! Local art awards came, then state awards, including “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice awards”!
Simultaneously she blossomed as a singer/songwriter in the field of country music!
After landing a recording contract with Sydney based company “Selection Records” in the early 1980’s Ellen’s life took a different direction for a number of years! 3 solo record albums and as a featured singer on numerous compilation albums saw Ellen travelling extensively around Australia, appearing on television and on radio. Ellen was also the recipient of several awards for her singing and songwriting talents during this time.
After meeting and marrying her husband Wayne, a member of her band in 1985, together they set off around Australia only this time as coach driver and hostess for an Alice Springs based tour bus company, specialising in coach and 4 wheel drive tours. Many enjoyable evenings were spent with Ellen Lee and Wayne entertaining the passengers around the campfire! In her downtime Ellen would once again reacquaint herself with her beloved drawing and painting! During her 9 months living in Alice Springs and on tour she had the opportunity to sell her artworks to clients from all over the world!
After the tours ended Ellen Lee and her husband entertained passengers as they cruised the Murray River whilst working for a cruising restaurant from the Port of Echuca (Victoria).
In 1995 a much longed for “little miracle” came into Ellen and Wayne’s life, in the form of a baby boy! Having been told several times and after many (invasive procedures) that without “radical” surgery she would never have children Ellen put her faith into action believing that God would answer the cry of her heart, and He did!
Settled now back in her hometown of Bendigo in Victoria Ellen has her own studio and small art gallery where she showcases her work. She enjoys the birdlife that visit her in her backyard and many have featured heavily in her paintings! She enjoys using a variety of media but most recently has been honing her skills using pen and ink and watercolour. She also enjoys creating artworks using texture medium and acrylic paint.
In 2004 Ellen wrote and illustrated a light-hearted comic style book called “Wal and Matilda’s ‘round Australia adventures”, featuring anecdotes from her travels, she has also illustrated 7 solo colouring books for an Australian publishing company! She participates in local and state-wide art shows and has most recently been honoured with a display feature in the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame!
Through her art Ellen wants to celebrate creation, and share her God given gifts and showcase Australia to the world!
Achievements
Ellen achieved her first award, a “Best in show” at the Yarrawalla art show in 1975 at the age of 15. Since then her awards have included “Best in show” awards plus second and third place awards, plus people’s choice and numerous highly commended awards, Ellen currently has work in private and corporate collections worldwide and has been a featured artist in the Australian magazines “Artists Palette, How to Paint, Creative artist and Back to basics, all published by “Woodlands Publishing” NSW.
Ellen has also illustrated 6 colouring books for the company entitled “Colouring with Ellen Lee Osterfield”, they are available from newsagents both here in Australia and New Zealand.
RECENT AWARD
Artist of the Month Competition for May/June 2022
My recently painted artwork titled “Kookaburra Family Murray River” has received a CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE Award in the Circle Foundation for the Arts.
