Franklin Lakes Artist Calls Herself a Creativity Coach

One very snowy afternoon, I wandered in out of the cold to interview Franklin Lakes artist Ellen Reinkraut. 

Warm and gentle, she led the way to her studio, a warren of rooms full of supplies used by students who come to make art. 

Foundations of Drawing and Painting, Bookmaking, Sculpture and Collage are only some of the classes offered.  And only a small part of what students learn here.

“What I really like to teach is creativity--it’s all about self-discovery and inventing," Reinkraut said.

Her students, ranging from pre-K through adult, often can be found up to their elbows in papers and paints, feathers and glue--experimenting in any media, exploring, playing and creating to their heart’s content.

“I love to find things!” Reinkraut said, and her house full of tiny shrines of all things natural.  Rocks, shells, fossils and feathers gathered from around the world and neatly dated with time and place and looking like displays at the Museum of Natural History are remembrances that inspire. Many of the found objects will make their way into frescoed walls, be pressed into paintings or found hanging in colorful mobiles like precious jewels.

Manmade castoffs are also honored here--outdoors in living sculptures, unrelated items unified in trees or attached inside to the “Magic Chair,” used by guests for a fanciful timeout, a moment of respite and wishes.  One collection, gleaned from years of visiting local antique and thrift shops, became a shrine to miniature plastic toys--a piece one would expect to see in the modern wing of New York's Metropolitan Museum.

Reinkraut received a BFA in Art Education at the University of Cincinnati and studied at the Art Students League in New York City as well as with Bruce Dorfman, Norman Lewis, Hugh Mesibov and Miriam Beerman.  She is a member of many professional organizations, including the prestigious National Organization of Women Artists, Salute to Women in the Arts, The Society of Layered and Multi-Media, The Painter’s Affiliates and Studio Montclair, to name a few. 

Credits are nice, but not what Reinkraut mentions unless pressed.  All would be meaningless without a passion to share with others.

Great teachers may be born, but experiences certainly enhance.  Reinkraut--an accomplished painter, collagist and mixed-media pro, with many pieces of art hanging in museums and public and private collections around the world--was meant to ignite the souls of others.

Self-titled a “creativity coach,” this artist knows how bring out the “voices” of all ages.  Reinkraut calls her paintings “an exploration of life’s mystery."

“My creative process focuses on the layering of symbols, brushwork and color, while scraping out what is non-essential.”

 At the start of each session, all of the students collaborate on a group “vision board," collaging images or symbols, setting intentions, representing wishes and dreams.  Students are encouraged to visualize their accomplishments, then work toward them.

Birthdays are celebrated as a group. Reinkraut and her students each create a piece of “pocket art” that can be carried as a reminder of caring and friendship, bringing at smile at the thought of its creator.

Bookmaking is a favorite of Reinkraut’s and of students of all ages.  Recycling old books, using paints, words, papers, photos and many found objects is a journaling process as well as a three-dimensional expression, making new out of old.

 Reinkraut’s greatest desire is to share her joy of the art of living with anyone and everyone in her life’s path.  Her children’s rooms are unique as is every room in her home.  There is a smile everywhere and a respect for the thought process behind every creative action.

Reinkraut can be especially proud of the fact that eight of her young students entered an international art contest sponsored by the Queen Sophia Art Museum in Spain.  Of 8,000 candidates, 250 made it to the finals, and Reinkraut’s eight were amongst the winners. The art was to demonstrate how hope and positive thinking can help children beat cancer.  Reinkraut and her students will be recognized with awards in March in New York City.

“I love to share so much joy," Reinkraut said. "Love to help people make the connection to the creative source.”  

All are welcome to visit her studio at 706 Clove Lane in Franklin Lakes. For information, call 201-891-6363 or send email to ellenreinkraut@gmail.com.