Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise McKenna.
Elise, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m a native San Diegan who loves to travel but always feels good about being home. I grew up painting, drawing and experimenting with different mediums. From a young age, I spent my summers at art camp, drawing animals at the San Diego Zoo. Whenever someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say “an artist,” but I never found the path to getting there. All I knew was I needed to go to college, which would provide a stable career in an office. I shifted focus to academics, graduating as Valedictorian from high school, Magna Cum Laude from college and eventually, Cum Laude from law school.
Throughout this time, I never lost my artistic interests, taking oil painting classes over summer breaks and delving into both hand built and wheel thrown ceramics at the local community colleges during law school. After passing the bar and working for three years, I consistently felt something was missing. I was restless, so I surfed Craigslist under “gigs” and wound up answering an ad seeking a muralist to paint the entrance to a local motorcycle parts shop. One thing led to the next and I was commissioned for a series of large detailed renderings of Kawasaki bikes. Through a connection at my day job, I was commissioned to paint three large paintings of Spirit Airlines’ new Airbus fleet. The works hang in Spirit’s corporate boardroom.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I paint photo-realist acrylic paintings. In the past, I’ve been commissioned to paint motorcycles, aircraft and even classic cars. I have also finished a few flower pieces and started painting pet portraits last year. I’m shifting my focus now to a series of large wildlife paintings. I am a perfectionist so, I take great pride in seeing the finished piece and knowing every inch of it, is exactly how I want it. I am often lost in one square inch of a piece for hours before I step away and see that somehow the light, the texture and the presence of the subject has emerged in that small space. Painting is meditative for me, but also provides an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Eventually, I’d like to be in a position to donate a portion of all sales to animal rescue non-profits. Whether that means all of my work is animal based or not stands to be seen. No matter what, I always want people to have a sense of awe when they look at one of my pieces. To be able to create something that evokes that emotion in people is a gift I intend to share the rest of my life.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
Oh gosh, I’m the one that needs advice on that subject! I have a full-time job that pays the bills. I think it’s important as an artist to have at least a percentage of your income coming from a steady source. When you are trying to create under the pressure of supporting yourself as well, it can really impact how much you enjoy what you’re doing as well as the finished product. I really admire the artists out there that are able to support themselves 100% with their art.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I try to participate in a variety of events every year but I’m still new to this so, it varies from one year to the next, while I figure out the best opportunities that fit my style. In the meantime, I am working hard at keeping my Instagram and Facebook active with current posts (@elisemckennadesign) and anyone interested in commissioning work or ordering prints can always flip through my website, www.elisemckennadesign.com and email me at elise@elisemckennadesign.com. I also donate a voucher for a free pet portrait to FACE foundation’s annual fundraiser and will have a booth at the upcoming annual USO San Diego Gala in May.
I am also featured in the 2018 publication of 50 To Watch, which is a book of up and coming artists distributed to nationwide galleries www.50towatch.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.elisemckennadesign.com
- Email: elise@elisemckennadesign.com
- Instagram: @elisemckennadesign
- Facebook: facebook.com/elismckennadesign
Image Credit:
Elise McKenna; Elise McKenna Design
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