Reminiscing on her childhood, Elena was always a creative spirit. Before the age of 10, she would draw non-stop, sometimes for 9+ hours a day. At 11, she enrolled in an oil painting class and later studied fine art and graphic design in her homeland of Quebec, Canada. It wasn't straight sailing on the path to pursuing creativity, though, as Elena followed another calling.
“I thought it (being an illustrator) was not a good career choice, not a responsible choice to make. As a teenager, I got pretty sick and realised how safe I felt in a children's hospital and wanted to be part of that big family of healthcare workers. I became a clinical nurse and worked in paediatrics in Quebec City.”
It was during her first pregnancy that the impulse to create grew stronger, and Elena started to have a clear desire to become an illustrator. From crochet and knitting to calligraphy and watercolour, the affinity to create with her hands was almost like second nature.
“I like to start from nothing and make something new appear. It fascinates me. It's a bit magical, isn't it?”
Looking at Elena's work, it's clear that a lot of love and passion goes into designing each piece, and her style's warmth and vulnerability is truly heartwarming. Much like her personality, Elena's drawings are gentle and calming whilst remaining playful with their wholesome colour palettes and organic textures.
“Expressing myself through art has always been a necessity for me. I have always needed to restore balance to my life by creating beauty in my surroundings.”
Using art as a refuge and a source of emotional protection, Elena channels any tension and negativity into something beautiful and positive.
“Looking at my drawings makes me smile and calm down. I think that's why I feel so happy to be alive and feel so much gratitude every day.”
Elena's work isn't just about self-soothing but helping others as well. Elena hosts an online blog where she shares tutorials, resources and insights to encourage others to get creative. 'Digital Gouache - Step by Step Painting Process', 'How to Price Your Work', and 'Work Process' are among the many guides Elena shares on her website.
“I love to encourage others. I love to motivate them and see them overcome their challenges. I am very structured, and I love to absorb new information. I love to learn, and I love to share and support others.”
On top of that, Elena also shares colour palettes and her favourite paints and digital brushes in a bid to spread creativity. It's refreshing to see an artist be so transparent about how they create their work; it's not something you often see in such a competitive industry.
A one-woman powerhouse creating, teaching, and raising her young children, it's incredible to see what hard work and perseverance can do.
Click here to see Elena’s collection of greeting card designs.