Australian artist Hele Ellis has been busy painting and enjoying Orcas as part of her work retreat on the island.

Enzo’s Gallery Caffe is hosting an opening of her abstract art on Saturday, Feb. 14 as part of a month-long exhibit in the caffe. Starting at 3 p.m., there will be refreshments and a chance to visit with the artist.

Ellis holds a degree in fine arts and she exhibits nationally and internationally. Her work is collected all over the world and has received awards since 1998.

Born in Germany, she has lived and worked in Australia since 1995. She studied fine art at HFBK, Academy for Fine Arts, in Hamburg and at the College of Fine Arts and Art Therapy in Ottersberg. She has worked as an art therapist in England and Spain and has been an artist-in-residence in the U.S., West Indies, India, Indonesia and Italy.

For more information about her art, visit www.heleellis.com.