Introductions

Biography of Photo and Water Color Pencil painting.

Elaine J. Hoogeboom was born on June 12, 1954. Elaine was born, grew up,
and has stayed in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received a BA in 1982
form Aquinas College. She went on and obtained a Masters in Social work
in 1984. She worked successfully in the Social Work field for over 25 years.
Do to a childhood injury she struggled with increasing back pain which
inevitable lead to three successive back surgeries within four years. She
began taking pictures while participating in physical rehabilitation following
her first back surgery. Elaine would walk a minimum of two miles a day
always carrying a camera and taking shots of birds, flowers, butterflies and
anything that caught her fancy. She has had no formal training in
photography but seems to have a good eye for the focused beauty of nature.
She has been shooting pictures for the last 3 years but has never shown any
of her work.
Elaine began working with water color pencils about 2 years ago when her third back surgery left her with many hours of solitary time. The anaesthesia left her aphasic and she withdrew into art. After a year of speech therapy she is now beginning to show the world the gift she feels she has received for the adversity of the
complications of the last surgery. She has had no formal training in the art
field.

Elaine has developed a good support team including: Dee Ann Hands her
best friend and partner, Mike and Sue Callihan her art mentors, Julia Bomia
her speech therapist and Jamie Williams, Lori Holstege, Mike Ryan, and
Pamela Wright-Hatchet. These are the core people who believe in her and
have encouraged her to draw.