About Me
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once they grow up."
- Pablo Picasso
For Elliott (they/them), being an artist wasn't a childhood phase; it was a fundamental truth, evident from a young age. While other kids dreamed of being astronauts or firefighters, Elliott spent their childhood happily lost in their own creative worlds, filling notebooks with drawings and concocting imaginative projects during hours of blissful solitude. This early passion even sparked an entrepreneurial venture, called “Cool Inc.”, where they offered friends and family coupons for custom artwork – a venture that, while light on the actual payment, was heavy on the artistic spirit.
Like many creatives, Elliott was met with the well-meaning but ultimately limiting advice that a life in art wasn't a viable path. So, with a practical nod to their love of drawing, they set their sights on architecture, envisioning a career where they could at least be surrounded by lines and designs. High school and college were a whirlwind of artistic exploration, with Elliott diving into drawing, painting, pottery, and just about any medium they could get their hands on. Yet, the elusive "signature style" felt just out of reach.
Life took an unexpected turn when Elliott's knack for numbers led them down the path of computer science. A career in tech followed, offering a different kind of creative problem-solving. It wasn't until a layoff in 2014 that the dormant artistic spark truly reignited. With newfound time, Elliott began experimenting, and their first distinctive pieces emerged from the unique combination of painted canvas and paper.
Despite this creative breakthrough, the stability of the tech world beckoned. Elliott found themselves once again navigating the corporate landscape, hoping to find fulfillment in a career that, while successful, never quite scratched that artistic itch. After several job changes and a growing sense of unease, the undeniable truth became clear: the little artist from "Cool, Inc." was still very much alive and yearning to create.
Nearly a decade after their first mixed-media explorations, Elliott finally took the leap. Leaving behind the familiar world of tech, they embraced the challenges and joys of being a full-time artist. Now, Elliott spends their days immersed in the process of creation, bringing their unique vision to life. While the path may have been a winding one, it's a journey that has finally led them home to the one thing they always knew to be true: they were born to be an artist, and in that truth, they have finally found their happiness.
My Inspirations
Some of my favorite artists and frequent inspirations include Piet Mondrian, Lyubov Popova, Edward Hopper, Artemisia Gentileschi, Henri Matisse (especially his paper works), Vincent Van Gogh, Thomas Hart Benton, and Wassily Kandinsky. Even though my own style is specifically geometric, I appreciate all kinds of artwork, whether it's the colors, shapes, movement, or drama that resonates with me. I firmly believe that inspiration comes from everywhere, not just the art world, and can strike at any time. Nature, with its repeating patterns and rhythms, is a significant source – florals, sunsets, and the ocean appear frequently in my work. I also keep a folder of inspiring images, often capturing color combinations in fashion or the aesthetics of tall buildings and skyscrapers.
One artist who is particularly important to me is Dorothy Kordash. In 2005, I visited the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach, California for the first time. In addition to seeing the Pageant of the Masters, I also visited the Laguna Art-A-Fair, where I had the opportunity to speak with Dorothy and purchase some of her original paper collage work. Dorothy's art remains a significant influence, and her story of pursuing her craft during lunch breaks continues to be a source of inspiration. Although I only met her a few times and she is sadly no longer with us, I consider Dorothy to be a major driving force in my artistic journey. Years later, I was honored to be selected to show my own work at the Laguna Art-A-Fair for the first time in 2025.
Learn more about how I create my artwork.