Elise Stoudt
I am a painter, photographer, embroiderer, and overall, an artist. I am not too concerned about medium, but more so about creating. I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with my husband and Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy, Iggy (aka Ignatius.)
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Ever since I was young, I wanted to be an artist. I even have proof in a first-grade journal I found that I made in class! Art, to me, is the only option I have when it comes down to what I want to do with my life. I've always felt connected to the beauty and unique vision each person has, and how personal art can be for every single person.
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I graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 2018, with my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Photography, and a Minor in Art History. Though my schooling was focused on photography, I took many painting courses and often questioned whether I was a photographer or painter at heart. I came to the conclusion that I don't have to choose, and that is when I started calling myself an artist.
Inspiration
As an artist, I find inspiration in basically all things. Of course I'm most inspired by nature, traveling, and art museums, but where else?
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Believe it or not, more than a few of my paintings are of places I've never been. I absolutely love traveling, but especially in the times of COVID-19, we're unable to do so as often as we'd like. I often find myself going through photos my parents or husband took during their times traveling without me, and I paint from them. I enjoy painting someone else's memories from an outside perspective. There's something to having a sense of nostalgia that I feel is so calming and anxiety-easing, even if it is a constructed form of nostalgia.
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Another substantial source of inspiration is my battle with my mental health. Since my sophomore year of college, I've struggled with stomach problems, which led to a diagnosis of anxiety about two years later. My anxiety is mostly under control now, but as they often go hand-in-hand with each other, I have formed some depression since. In my art, I gravitate towards bright colors and find that mixing and using color helps alleviate some of the symptoms of my depression. This is where my happiness is able to shine through, and I hope that my colors shine through to you on your bad days too.
More About Me
Favorite Color of the Moment: Lilac
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Favorite Plant: Calathea Medallion (Prayer Plant)
Side note- I am horrible at keeping this plant in particular alive
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Most Inspiring Trip: France and Italy, I think
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Personality Type: 4w2 & INFP
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Zodiac: Leo sun, Aries moon, Aquarius rising
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Artist Crush: Botticelli, Kelley Vivian
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Least Favorite Art to Create: It's a hard tie between ceramics and sculpture. Not my cup of tea. I figured this out by trying to prove my mom wrong. Plot twist: she was right.