I just found one of my all time favorite salons…Ellouise in Pasadena, California. Opened in 1998, it is a magical place with a staff of 12, including two facialists. The salon itself is housed in a former (but now transformed) CALTECH warehouse which is so totally appropriate because this is truly an ART salon. Owner Sandra Cruze not only creates art on the heads of her clients, but she is an artist herself having designed works on display in the salon, including the painted hardwood floors, doors, walls and glasses…"everything and anything that didn't move." She even started painting furniture creating her own line called "Elvis Cruze."

Tracey Keilly (in all white) and Sandra Cruze (white pants) amid some of the exhibited canvases.

In addition to celebrating her own skills, Sandra totally supports the art world in her community. She regularly enhances the walls of her salon by exhibiting works of artists on a rotating basis, doing three or four shows a year. While visiting recently, I met with Sandra who was showcasing the art of Tracey Keilly, a local artist known for her large canvases of mixed media. "People are truly moved by Tracey's art," says Sandra. "It is so brave and cuts so deeply. Clients come in and go from painting to painting, looking, examining, thinking, being moved, coming up with their own visceral experience. Many times I have to go get them so I can start doing their hair. They are captivated by her work." Eleven pieces are on display in the salon, including three in the shampoo area alone.  Most of Tracey's pieces are valued at $5000.

Sandra Cruze at the reception desk, under Tracey's favorite piece "Heart and Soil."

While visiting recently, I met with Sandra who was showcasing the art of Tracey Keilly, a local artist known for her large canvases of mixed media. “People are truly moved by Tracey’s art,” says Sandra. “It is so brave and cuts so deeply. Clients come in and go from painting to painting, looking, examining, thinking, being moved, coming up with their own visceral experience. Many times I have to go get them so I can start doing their hair. They are captivated by her work.” 11 pieces are on display in the salon, including three in the shampoo area alone.  Most of Tracey's pieces are valued at $5000.

Overview of the Ellouise Salon in Pasadena, California.

Although her work has been exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Santa Monica Airport Hangar Gallery and is included in the Cedar Sinai Art Collection, this collaboration with Sandra is a great opportunity for Tracey. "I will quote Carl Jung and say 'The meeting of two personalities is like the compound of two chemical substances. If there is any reaction, both are transformed.'" Tracey describes her art as "part accidental and part planned. I always have a vision but I usually will not manipulate my work and am always surprised by what is revealed. It's sort of like a dream…where all the seemingly insignificant things that happen throughout the day form a story in a dream to relay a message from the sub-conscious."

Tracey Keilly under my favorite canvas, "Fat Old Sun."

Tracey's favorite piece, "Heart and Soil," is hanging above the reception desk. The canvas measuring 4' x 5' is chock full of powerful messages and enhanced by bold red, yellow and blue paint. The centerpiece is a young boy, surrounded by red and blue birds, magnets, farmers, a pigeon, a mailman and even Ronald McDonald. Under the paint Tracy has placed soil and seeds that she had shipped from Mississippi. It is truly a powerful piece with a significant message. It is beautiful and important. My head was spinning just looking at it. I asked for a Tylenol. Says Sandra, "I am a good curator because I do not judge. We don't have to like some art, but will defend its place to be in public." However, the good news is that Sandra DOES like Tracey's art, in fact "I ADORE Tracey's work. It makes me think, stirs me and wakes me up." Sandra has placed her favorite pieces around her station so that she and her clients can look at them all day long!

All photos by Steven Barston.