Ellen O'Brien Obituary

Prominent local artist Ellen Lillian McCarthy O'Brien died Oct. 30 in Colorado Springs at age 91.

From meeting Pablo Picasso to teaching art to children and adults to exhibiting at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Ellen enjoyed a rich and fulfilling career. She also cherished her beloved family and friends.

Ellen's work continues to be an inspiring and motivating force in the local arts scene. Many of her paintings and prints will be exhibited at a show at the Fine Arts Center, "Ellen O'Brien: The Prevalence of Line." The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday, Dec. 14.

"She was among the artists who gave strength and significance to our culture in the Pikes Peak region," Blake Milteer, museum director of the Fine Arts Center, said in a statement he released after her death. "Ellen's art truly captures the spirit of adventure, skill, mystery and experimentation that drove art forward from the mid-20th century-on."

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 730 N. Tejon St., with the Rev. Dr. Nori Rost officiating. A reception will follow, and guests may attend Ellen's show at the Fine Arts Center for free afterward.

Born in 1922 in Allegany, N.Y., Ellen earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1945 and obtained a master of fine arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. She received a scholarship to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center School, where she studied painting and lithography.

After marrying Vincent Pershing O'Brien, Ellen and her husband spent four years in Europe. She worked in the studio of French artist and filmmaker Fernand Leger.

The couple returned to Colorado Springs in 1951, and Ellen worked with master printmaker Lawrence Barrett. For the next 30 years, she taught art education at Colorado College; painting and watercolor classes at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs; painting, drawing and watercolor at the Fine Arts Center; painting at the YWCA; painting at Pueblo Junior College; and art classes at Pikes Peak Community College.

A visionary for her time, Ellen was particularly noted for her lectures and demonstrations relating to art activities for preschool and elementary school children, emphasizing the vital role of art in the entire educational process.

Ellen served on the board of the Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School and co-authored the local Head Start program in Colorado Springs. She also worked as co-coordinator of the school.

She also exhibited her work in many shows regionally and nationally. Her focus was shapes and forms found throughout nature. After a hiatus, Ellen's work returned to the local community in 2008 at Cucuru Gallery Café. It was the first major show she'd had since exhibiting at the Fine Arts Center in 1974 and featured nearly 120 pieces of art from throughout her career. Ellen's work returned to the Fine Arts Center in 2009, as part of the Colorado Springs Abstract exhibition.

"I enjoyed her seriousness as an artist and her amazing sense of humor. I will deeply miss working with Ellen," the Fine Arts Center's Blake Milteer said.

She loved all holidays, particularly Christmas, and was known for throwing marvelous parties in the family home near downtown Colorado Springs.

Survivors include three sons, Anthony Joseph "Tony," Vincent William "Will," and Phillip Patrick O'Brien of Colorado Springs; a grandson, Ian Patrick O'Brien of Colorado Springs; and numerous other relatives. She was predeceased by her husband, Vincent.