Ilse Coffman

Portland, Oregon

“My art is a collaboration between my body and my soul.”

About Me

I am a mixed-media artist and educator. My work reflects a sense of holding on – to home, children who have grown, the quietness of change, the celebration and challenges of aging, and exploring what that means. My paintings reflect figures in repose and their relationship with home, mothering and caring for loved ones.

My primitive, often abstracted work, is made by working wet on heavy French paper using ink and Flashe’ paint resulting in a rich “batik-like” look.

The daughter of artists parents, I grew up immersed in the arts – textiles – pottery – tribal arts and furniture design in the 60’s and 70’s in Northern California. Though my personal art practice came to me later in life, it has been a lifetime in the making. I currently live in Portland, Oregon with my husband and two curious yellow labs.

Examples of My Work

Fun Facts

  • Messy – I owned a children’s art studio for 15 years
  • Long story – I have been to over 50 minor league baseball parks
  • Learning – to meditate
  • Magic – I was on stage with David Copperfield
  • Places – One of my favorites is our family cabin in Sandpoint, Idaho

More About Me

What inspires you?

My two incredibly creative children!

What gives you goosebumps?

Art and music. When it speaks to me I have a visceral reaction!

What other non-artist jobs have you had?

I worked staging show houses, but the best job ever has been being a mother!