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ET

@ellaethomas

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Pushing paint

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Fingerprint Gallery is thrilled to announce “small talk” a solo art exhibition by Ella Thomas! The opening reception is Friday Nov 6, 2026 from 6pm - 9pm. The show will be open daily 11am - 5pm from Nov 7th through Nov 15th and will subsequently be viewable by appointment.

About small talk

“My work explores the art of noticing, engaging with the liminal spaces between perception and experience to destabilize preconceived notions of femininity and cultural identity,” you read from the white pamphlet at that art show your friend dragged you to. You stand there, pretending to understand the line drawn between what’s hanging on those white walls and the paper between your fingers.

“My practice is rooted in observation.”

Isn’t everyone’s?

I’m so bored of what is said to avoid saying anything. I could regurgitate my English degree—with distinction, I might add—into three concise paragraphs, organized by the dulling hands of AI, but I know you wouldn’t make it to the end. And I wouldn’t blame you.

I can honestly tell you this: “Small Talk” is a collection of paintings about noticing the little moments: a glance, a gesture, or the shape someone’s mouth makes rounding off a sentence.

As the youngest of four, I love to learn by observing, so naturally, I fall under this cliché. But more than anything, I’m interested in becoming a better painter. Training my eye to see more so I can continue to improve my art, while you can keep guessing what it all means."

— Ella Thomas @ellaethomas

About the Artist

Ella Thomas is a Vancouver-based painter working primarily in acrylic and oil on canvas. She learned to paint from her mother, Tanja Gardner, from an early age and has more recently studied with artists including David Shevlino in London, England, and Milt Kobayashi in Scottsdale, Arizona. ET works from observation, with a particular interest in female figures, movement, and intimate glimpses of everyday life. Her work hangs in private and corporate collections.

📍 Fingerprint Gallery, 663a Market Hill taken in Fingerprint Gallery by @ellaethomas

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6 days ago

Step into my office by @ellaethomas

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a month ago

Feeling so grateful to see my piece hanging in the @aritzia head office commissary.

I loved bringing @__nataliehill ‘s vision to canvas and taking part in the celebration of Aritzia’s NYC flagships ♥️🍎 taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @ellaethomas

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a year ago

I love skewel taken in Scottsdale Artists' School by @ellaethomas

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10 days ago

Bathers prints 👙⛱️⭐️ by @ellaethomas

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3 months ago

If your grandpa battled an ATM last weekend, lmk. He’s now my muse. taken in Hornby Island by @ellaethomas

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3 months ago

Untitled

24 x 18”
Acrylic on canvas by @ellaethomas

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4 months ago

Some old and some new by @ellaethomas

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5 months ago

Between turns

24 x 38” by @ellaethomas

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5 months ago

Portrait on loan

36 x 48” by @ellaethomas

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5 months ago

Timelapse? No I just work like really fast by @ellaethomas

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7 months ago

“WEDNESDAY” PRINT DROP ⭐️🧼

First edition 11 × 14” prints for the first 10 people who DM me.
Archival paper & ink, signed.
$130 each. by @ellaethomas

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7 months ago