Ellen Lynch was raised in Upstate New York, where forests, fields, and the farm where she worked from the age of seven, fostered Ellen’s innate embrace of the natural world. Trees and creeks were her playground, and dogs, cats and horses, her companions. Ever an artist, Ellen attended SUNY Purchase and pursued a career as a graphic designer in New York City. After several years, having earned acclaim in her field, she was called back to the natural world, relocating to Southeast Idaho, with stints in Driggs, Warm River and Hog Hollow.
After 15 years, as her parents neared the end of their lives, Ellen went back to help them. But after her parents passed, she felt a yearning for the mountains and returned to Idaho. She purchased the building at 612 Main Street in Ashton to create a multi-discipline creative center, Warm River Studio.
Ellen invites artists of all disciplines including visual artists, musicians, writers, actors, and all performers to join her in making art more readily accessible to our community. In turn, she invites the community to celebrate and support the artists who make our world a more beautiful, thoughtful, and enlivening experience.
Currently on display are Lynch’s large format equine images, and photographs of her beloved Tetons. Horses have always ignited her imagination, fascinated by their duality—their wild spirit and power coupled with their gentle, grass-eating ways. They are mythical beings yet grounded firmly on the Earth. Lynch is drawn to the Tetons for their similar duality: peaks of granite, yet still growing and moving. And the sunrises enjoyed on the Idaho side, are a visual artist’s dream.
Ellen recently invited Ashton’s children to decorate pages made from her photographs, hosting an opening reception for the kids and their parents. Her first musical performance by composer/pianist Ben Cosgrove, was a beautiful treat for a full house. Next up is singer/guitarist Kray Van Kirk on June 11. Stay tuned for much more because Ellen is just getting warmed up!
