“Spirit of Ecstasy California” — Original Art by Elaine Lazarus
Gouache painting and digital photography on watercolor paper, 13” x 19”

This vibrant multimedia collage combines gouache, illustration, and photography to reinterpret the history of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the iconic Rolls-Royce hood ornament. Originally commissioned in 1909 by the editor of Car Illustrated Magazine and modeled after his secret mistress, the sculpture depicts a woman leaning forward with arms outstretched, billowing fabric flowing behind her like wings. In this artwork, the legend is reimagined through bold, symbolic imagery—a towering tree, the ocean coastline, a butterfly, antique Rolls-Royces, red lips, and headlights painted as breasts on the grille—blending history, place, and personal expression into one striking composition.