Self Taught

Hunter Drohojowska-Philp’s profile on Sharon Ellis made me smile (“Seeing the Light Within,” by Feb. 21). I too have drawn since childhood and graduated UC Irvine eight years prior. A good education, but anyone who came in making images that were recognizable or allegorical would have to have that expunged in favor of the minimal/conceptual practices of the day.

It took me eight years to run through such concept/theory practices and realize that to make this a lifelong pursuit I had to rethink what art was to me and train myself how to do it. I’ve seen one of Ellis’ paintings and she has taught herself well.

BRUCE RICHARDS

Los Angeles