Though artist Ellen Joseph has lived and worked all over the world, including Chicago, Hawaii, Scotland, and Paris — she currently calls Half Moon Bay home.

Joseph moved here with husband Mike Slinn after the two realized they were spending most of their time on the Coastside.

Living by the ocean is a consistent source of inspiration for the artist who regularly paints on location in the area. Recently, Half Moon Bay Patch caught her in action. In this video, Joseph completes a painting from start to finish at the Coastside Trail overlooking Miramar Beach. Through the magic of sped-up video, the painting is completed in three minutes, but in reality she completed it in three hours. (To see the final work which includes the finishing touches Joseph added in her studio, click on the photo in the media gallery at right).

Last year was a big year for Joseph. In addition to opening her Main St. gallery in May, Joseph was selected by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee as the artist who will be commissioned each year to create a painting for the official Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. Each painting will be made into a commemorative fine art print (see her 2011 festival painting here).

Joseph ended the year by bringing together South Main street organizations and artists to form HMB SoMa (South on Main) Arts. As part of the group's mission to support and promote visual and performance artists on South Main St., it is holding quarterly art walks downtown.

The next HMB SoMa Arts event is a Valentine's HeART Walk which will take place this Sun., Feb. 12 at Half Moon Bay Main St. businesses south of Correas St. from 2 - 5 p.m. To read more about organizations and businesses participating in the HMB SoMa art walks, click here.

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