Elena Markelova is well known for her double exposure animals, nature watercolour paintings, and her detailed city maps – all inspired by magnificent landscapes and engaging wildlife of her new home. She was born and raised in a small town in the middle of Siberia in Russia and was often painting and drawing. Elena’s mom signed her up for art school when she was only 10 years old. She spent seven years there, then six more at Art University, learning different mediums and experimenting with subjects and ideas.
After moving to Canada in 2012, Elena Markelova was searching for her own style and inspiration. Our family trip to Pemberton was a pivotal point in her artistic career – as she saw the very first bear in her life just a few meters away from us surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, she
couldn’t resist the excitement she felt and painted that bear with a landscape inside. Since then nature and the wilderness have become her true love and inspiration. The beauty, peace, and truth she finds there has no equal.
Elena Markelova mostly works with watercolour, which is the hardest medium to paint with due to its fast-drying abilities and almost no way to fix the layers, but she enjoys it immensely and finds it challenging and magical at the same time. In her artwork she combines the landscape and the wildlife in a very unique way, putting her whole heart into everything she creates.
Elena also supports the conservation of our natural world, without which we couldn’t live. She often donates to local small wildlife organizations and to One Tree Planted from the sales of her website.
Truly beautiful inside out, I hope you could see Elena’s soul through the eyes of the animals that she so lovingly paints.
Written by Elena’s husband
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Which ‘hood are you in?
I live in a beautiful quiet neighbourhood of Maple Ridge by the forest, so we often have deer visiting our yards, bears walking nearby and hummingbirds flying around. It’s absolutely amazing and so inspiring!
What do you do?
I mostly work with watercolours to create my double exposure and nature-inspired artwork, but I love expanding my creativity to murals and digital collaborations.
What are you currently working on?
I have a big personal exhibition that will take place at the Timms Community Centre in Langley from March 16 to April 25 th , so my main focus for the next two months is to create new larger pieces for the show.
Where can we find your work?
My work can be found at small local shops and galleries in Canada and United States and on my website.
Follow me on Instagram for the latest artwork and inspiration.
