About the Artist
Hi! I'm Ellen Arnstein, and I am an independent creative. I am an intuitive artist, writer, mystic, craftsperson, and love warrior, currently working out of East Windsor, CT. I am Connecticut's preeminent Typewriter Poet for Hire, and I was recently the first Artist & Writer in residence at Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine. I have been professionally creating, showing, and selling artist's books, textile arts, jewelry, and text and image based artwork for over 15 years (mostly under the nom de publishing Rattfink Press), and have been more privately (unless you used to follow my livejournal, that is....) writing fiction, poetry, and non-fiction for most of my life. Inspired by my move from Tucson back to Connecticut, and the histories -- both personal and external -- that surround me here, I began self-publishing my written works, releasing over 10 zines and writing over 15 since 2018.
I am currently for hire in a variety of capacities. I am interested in working with more local museums and heritage sites, helping to bring enrichment to their visitors through the written word, art, merchandise, and interactive activities. I am available for events as a Typewriter For Hire, as well as for writing personal poems and creating custom illustrated poetry cards. I am open for illustration and design commissions and can quickly quote you for any project you have in mind. |
Once lovingly referred to as quite the polymath, I was raised amidst the culture and heritage world of New England, and I have worked many jobs and gigs in the last 15 years. I have sold fine art supplies to Hartford's creative (and curious) set; slung Tumi bags, Montblanc pens and Rhodia notebooks all under the same roof to literary elite of West Hartford; bought, sold, schlepped, and verbally appraised fine, rare, and worthless books in downtown Boston. I have had the true pleasure of assisting some incredibly inspiring artists, both in the classroom and studio, led an activist parade troupe for 4 years (costuming, organizing, dancing -- you name it!), as well as taught a course on Sensory Ethnography and Food Culture alongside one of the world's foremost experts in tea. I have opened and run my own boutique, helped friends and colleagues start and grow their own businesses, and fostered and learned from countless teenagers from behind a counter. I have also been a student of metaphysics, western psychology, existentialist philosophy, and celebrity based culture for most of my 36 years on this beautiful planet, and I work daily to honor my role as love warrior, mystic, and guide. These are the things I was born to do.
Education: School of the Museum of Fine Arts / Tufts University (2008); The Loomis Chaffee School (2003) |
I AM CURRENTLY SEARCHING for the right partner(s) to help represent me and bring my love-driven, powerful work to a wider audience. If you are an agent, an editor, or a representative and
you feel like you and/or your firm may be the right fit, please contact me here (email) or here (phone) – I want to hear from you! I am also seeking the right publisher to take on the legacy of Finky and his friends. The Finky the Ratt series is an illustrated book series that helps teach mindfulness, empathy, awareness, and loving kindness through the experiences of Finky the Ratt and his many friends. Intended for ALL AGES, Finky is a character that has grown over the last 13 years of my life, and who is already beloved by many. If you think your publishing house may be the perfect fit, please contact me here. |