Many deem so much of contemporary photography "boring". So many photographers work looks very similar. Often times, in a given photo publication, I am hard pressed to distinguish between the various photographers work. Often a whole issue could very well be the work on only one person whereas it is actually the work of several people.
It is this "modernist" point of view that I am addressing in this series.
I walk around my studio in St. Louis most days. I see a lot, but only notice a little. There is not much to look at, normal sidewalks… signs, nothing interesting.
But then I began looking at things I had previously ignored, uninteresting things, just stuff on the ground. So, I took my camera along and started shooting.
This is a series of things I had always ignored but now notice.
Ellen Jantzen was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri. Her early college years were spent obtaining a degree in graphic arts; later emphasizing fine art. Upon graduation she and her husband, Michael, settled down on acreage in Southern Illinois and set about to construct several solar and energy efficient structures including their 2400 square foot home. Organic gardens and goat husbandry took center stage in Ellen’s life but a desire for a more “artistic” life led the couple to Los Angeles California.
Ellen spent two years at FIDM (the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) in downtown Los Angeles. Here, she obtained her advanced degree in 1992. After a few years working in the industry, including several years at Mattel Toy Company as a senior project designer, she became disillusioned with the corporate world and longed for a more creative outlet. Having been trained in computer design while at Mattel, Ellen continued her training on her own using mostly Photoshop software.
As digital technology advanced and the newer cameras were producing excellent resolution, Ellen found her perfect medium. It was a true confluence of technical advancements and creative desire that culminated in her current explorations in photo inspired art using both a camera to capture staged assemblages and a computer to alter and manipulate the pieces. Ellen has been creating works that bridge the world of prints, photography and collage.
Ellen is currently represented by Susan Spiritus of the Susan Spiritus Gallery: http://www.susanspiritusgallery.com
www.ellenjantzen.com • ellenjantzen@mac.com
Awards
2013
TOP 20, BEST SUBMITTED PHOTOS: FINE ART, in the 2013 Raymond Weil International Photo Competition.
CONTEMPORARY IMAGEMAKERS, chosen by the Photomedia Center
2012
FIRST PLACE, SINGLE IMAGE: FINE ART, in 2012 FotoWeekDC International Awards Competition. FotoWeekDC runs from November 9-18th.
SHORT LISTED, in the 2012 LICC (London International Creative Competition)
BRONZE AWARD; International Loupe Awards (Illustrative category) for my photo "In The Field Of Gold"
HONORABLE MENTION, in PWP’s 37th Anniversary International Women’s Call for Entry, for my photo “In The Field of Gold”
FOUR HONORABLE MENTIONS, in WPGA's 2nd Urban & Country Landscape Competition for photos from my series "Transplanting Reality; Transforming Nature"
HONORABLE MENTION, (digitally enhanced) for my series "Transplanting Reality; Transforming Nature" from IPA (International Photography Awards)
HONORABLE MENTION, in the PX3 Prix De La Photographie, Paris. Was Awarded in the Professional Fine Art/Digitally Manipulated category for the entry entitled, "Transplanting Reality ." The jury selected winners from thousands of photography entries from over 85 countries.
Awarded an ADORATION AWARD OF EXCELLENCE from Adore Noir magazine.
GRIFFIN AWARD, in the Griffin Museum of Photography's 18th Juried Exhibition by juror Paul Kopeikin.
TOP TEN AWARD, in WIPI's (Women in Photography International) 2012 Annual Juried Competition Exhibition.
BRONZE AWARD, in Epson's International Pano Awards in the category, Nature.
THIRD PLACE, composites category in PWP's (Professional Women Photographers) 31st International Women's Exhibition.
2011
1ST PLACE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (digitally enhanced), at Px3,Prix De La Photographie, Paris. Px3 is Europe's biggest and mostprestigious photography competition.
2011 BLACK & WHITE & COLOR, from Women in Photography International. My photo, “Mystify” won 2nd place in the Portrait category selected by Susan Spiritus, director of Susan Spiritus Gallery in Newport Beach, California. On-line gallery debuts January 10th.
BRONZE AWARD In recognition of excellence in the category of "People and Portrait" in the 2011 International Loupe Awards.
THIRD PLACE, composites category in PWP's (Professional Women Photographers) 31st International Women's Exhibition.
2010
MID-CAREER PHOTOGRAPHER FOR OCTOBER; Texas Photographic Society for my body of work,Reality of Place, chosen by Kenda North. The work will appear in an upcoming blurb book.
SILVER HONORABLE MENTION for my photo/art piece, "California/04/13/1:43PM" from the Worldwide Photography Gala Awards in their Urban and Country Landscape Contest
HONORABLE MENTION for my piece “Back to Nature” from the Center for Fine Art Photography’s exhibition, NATURAL WORLD
Recent Invitational Exhibitions
2012
THE LIGHT FACTORY 31ST ANNUAL ART AUCTION, fundraising efforts for the Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography, Saturday, Nov. 17
GROUP SHOW - QLICK EDITIONS, a five person show to open the gallery season in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
LOSING REALITY; REALITY OF LOSS, a solo exhibition of my work at the C-Train Gallery at Washington University's School of Medicine, St. Louis MO. February - May
INCOGNITO, fund raising exhibition at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica CA. March 17.
2011
THE LIGHT FACTORY 30TH ANNUAL ART AUCTION, fundraising efforts for the Light Factory Contemporary Museum of Photography, Saturday, Nov. 19
LIFE-SUPPORT JAPAN, fund raising sale for the Japan earthquake, tsunami relief effort, headed up by the WallSpace Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA.
INCOGNITO, fund raising exhibition at the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica CA. April 30.
2010
MID-CAREER ARTIST FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, the Texas Photographic Society
THE LIGHT FACTORY 29TH ANNUAL ART AUCTION, November 20, at The Light Factory, Charlotte NC
GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE BENEFIT AUCTION, October 4
INCOGNITO, fund raising exhibition at the Santa Monica Museum of Art
Recent Juried Exhibitions
2012
2012/2013 - GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT at OCCCA, Santa Ana, CA, juror Susan Spiritus. December 1 - January 12.
FOTOWEEKDC INTERNATIONAL AWARDS COMPETITION on display during FotoWeekDC November 9-18, at the Warner Center. My photo “In The Field of Gold” won First Place, Fine Art Photography.
WINDOWS AND MIRRORS at PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT, jurors Elizabeth Corden and Jan Pott - October 30 - November 20.
GREEN at the Center For Fine Art Photography, on display in the Center's online gallery and physical gallery from October 26 – November 24, 2012 with artists' reception on November 2 from 6-9pm.
ILLUSIONS at the Center For Fine Art Photography, juror Terry Etherton chose my photo "Immeasurable": on display in the Center's online gallery and physical gallery from August 3rd – September 1st, 2012 with artists' reception on August 3rd from 6-9pm.
GRIFFIN MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY'S 18TH JURIED EXHIBITION, juror Paul Kopeikin chose my photo "The Maturing Season" for the Griffin Award. Exhibition July 19 - Sept. 2
WIPI'S (WOMEN IN PHOTOGRAPHY INTERNATIONAL) 2012 ANNUAL JURIED COMPETITION EXHIBITION, juror Susan Spiritus chose my photo "Transplanting Reality" for a Top Ten Award.
31ST INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S EXHIBITION from PWP (Professional Women Photographers at .NO Gallery, New York, May 2012
DREAMS, at the Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO. December 2, through January 7th, 2012. My photo "Without A Trace, 2" was selected by Aline Smithson.
TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 25TH ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP SHOW January 9, 
Show opens at the Options Gallery at Odessa College.
2011
WONDERLAND: PHOTOGRAPHIC FANTASIES, at Photoplace Gallery, Middlebury, VT 05753, Juror Blue Mitchell July 19 - August 13th
SPEAK FOR THE TREES, at the Orange Coast College Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion, Costa Mesa CA. July 8 –August 12
17TH JURIED, at the Griffin Museum of Photography, juror Debra Klomp Ching On display June 29th - August 29th
EARTH THROUGH A LENS, Digital display at California Museum of Photography.
DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE, at the Hinterland Artspace, Denver CO. Part of Month Of Photography. March 26 - April 29
PORTRAITS, at the Center for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, CO. March 4 - 25
POSE AND GESTURE, at PhotoPlace Gallery at the Vermont Photography Workplace. February 1- 26th.
2011 BLACK & WHITE & COLOR, from Women in Photography International. My photo, “Mystify” won 2nd place in the Portrait category selected by Susan Spiritus, director of Susan Spiritus Gallery in Newport Beach, California. .
Recent Publications/Reviews
2013
LENSCRATCH (photography blog) Feature article on my work.
Dr. Hurley's Snake-Oil Cure (arts/literature journal), Exposure No. 105: Ghost Writer
LENSCRATCH (photography blog) The 4th Annual FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHS of 2012 Exhibition
2012
F-Stop Magazine, Issue #56 (The Landscape Issue)
Tribe Magazine, Issue #10 (International Creative Arts Magazine)
Le Journal de la Photographie, featuring my photo series: "Ghost Writer"
Self-Contained, A photography book Curated by Christopher Paquette (PHOTO/arts Magazine). My photo, “Incorporating Memory” is featured
Window & Mirror, A photography catalog accompanying the exhibition at PhotoPlace Gallery. My image “San Andreas’ Fault” is on the cover
Diffusion Magazine, featuring my "Hibernation" in the Muse Group Showcase
Le Journal de la Photographie, featuring my vacation photo series: "Vacation Photos of a Different Sort"
PhotoArts Magazine, article titled "Embracing Banality" by Christopher Paquette addressing issues brought forth in my series "Banal"
Winchester Star, July 19 Interview/feature about the Griffin Museum of Photography exhibition and my award.
Visual ArtBeat Magazine, Issue #9, featuring my newest series "Transplanting Reality; Transforming Nature".
Chaotic Black Sheep's Rants & Raves, March 24. Review of my exhibition "Losing Reality" at the C-Train Gallery
TrendHunter, March 22. Feature article in their "Hot Photo Galleries" section titled "Barely-There Blurred Portraits" by Sarah Moore
Adore Noir Magazine, Issue #6, February Black and white fine art photography magazine.
SuperMassiveBlackHole, Issue #9, Theme: Alternative Vision. Features my series "Losing Reality: Reality of Loss".
My Own Wilderness, photography book Curated by Christopher Paquette (PHOTO/arts magazine) featuring images from my LANDeSCAPES series.
2011
iDMAa (The Journal of the International Digital Media and Arts Association) . My article, titled "Space/Time, A Revisited History" was accompanied by photos from my LandEscapes series and more recent work.
TreeHugger, online environmental blog October 19th Featuring my series "Point & Shoot @70MPH".
Umter Magazine, Issue #III October - Featuring my series "Point & Shoot @70MPH". One of my photos is on the cover.
GUP #31 - The Experimental Issue, October - Half page feature on my work, featuring photo "Mandrake"
LaLettre de la Photographie; Weekend Portfolio 01/10/2011
Space Cool Hunting, Featuring my series "Losing Reality, Reality of Loss" 09/27/2011
Shots Magazine, Summer Issue Featuring my photo, Departure
Adore Noir Magazine, Issue #2, June Black and white fine art photography magazine.
Visual ARTBEAT Magazine, Issue #6 I am their featured photographer for this issue in an article titled “Photo.Synthesized”
RAGAZINE, March-April Issue I am their featured photographer for this issue in an article titled “Ellen Jantzen, Photography”
Exploring Color Photography, From Film to Pixels by Robert Hirsch. Published by Focal Press. My image, Emanation is featured in Chapter 5, Seeing the Light.
