Illustrations

I try to appreciate the small things we encounter in life and then spotlight their uniqueness and beauty in my paintings. I especially enjoy painting things I find in nature, which is why I mostly paint botanicals, fruits and veggies.  It would certainly serve my Instagram feed better if I stuck with the same style and same general subject matter, but I want my art to be an expression of me.  I'm inspired by such a wide range of topics and I always want to try new styles and techniques.  So, I embrace my varied interests and paint what brings me joy.

I also love creating custom artwork. There is always a story behind the painting and I feel honored to be a small part of that.  I hope you find inspiration not only from my artwork, but also from the small things in your own life!

FAQ’s

Are you currently taking commissions and clients?

Yes! I’d love to hear from you: eljaestudio@gmail.com

Do you sell your products wholesale?

Yes! Please submit a wholesale inquiry and I’ll send you my line sheets and additional information.

Where can I find your work?

You can find me at a couple markets in the Pittsburgh area. Check out my listing of local markets that I attend annually here.

What materials do you use for paintings? The primary materials I use are:

• Paper: Legion Stonehenge Aqua watercolor paper, 140 lb, 100% cotton

• Paints: Mijello Mission Gold Watercolors

• Brushes: Princeton round bushes in various sizes

Do you offer any vegan original watercolors? The short answer is yes! But here are some additional details:

• Paper: Legion Stonehenge Aqua is a vegan watercolor brand (no animal sizing applied to the paper)

• Paints: While Mijello Mission Gold watercolors do not use ox gall (liquid from cattle gall bladders), it does contain honey. For my vegan-friendly paintings I primarily use Qor watercolors (synthetic ox gall) and select Holbein watercolors and gouache.

• Brushes: I do have a few sable brushes from when I first started taking watercolor classes as a child (yes, they have lasted decades). But any new brushes I purchase are synthetic and I use only synthetic brushes in my vegan-friendly paintings.

What materials/equipment do you use for creating fine art prints?

• Scanner: Epson Perfection V600 Photo Scanner

• Printer: Epson SureColor P900 17-inch Photo Printer

• Ink: Epson UltraChrome PRO10 Ink, archival pigment ink

• Paper: Epson Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte, 51 lb/192 gsm

Who makes your vinyl stickers? Are they waterproof?

My stickers all feature my own illustrations and I order the stickers from two companies:

• Larger vinyl stickers: stickermule.com

• Mini vinyl stickers: stickerapp.com

Both companies use premium vinyl with a durable coating, so all my stickers are weather and dishwasher proof (2-4 year life).