Conversations with Elyssa Edgerly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elyssa Edgerly.

Hi Elyssa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My art career really began in Byron Bay, Australia circa 2014. I moved to Byron after a year+ of global travel and my partner and I found a spot with epic beach and bike access. We fell in love with the house because of the extensive art collection that filled the space and signed a lease, only to discover upon moving in that the owners had removed all of the art, leaving the place in desperate need of color and energy. The empty walls encouraged me to zip down to the local art shop and chat up with the owner about a bundle of art supplies. Over the following months, I filled every wall in the house with my paintings, embracing this self-taught art experiment with enthusiasm even though my paintings at the time were very unrefined.

Fast forward to 2018. I was hired as a massage therapist and zodiac pilot for a research ship en route to Antarctica.

At the last minute, the entire trip was canceled due to mechanical issues. I was beyond bummed to miss this epic opportunity but the cancellation opened up the next few months of my life unexpectedly and gave me the opportunity to jump straight into a year-long art mastery program that I had only recently discovered. This choice to pursue art full-time changed my life forever. I was pushed to develop a unique artistic style, an extensive portfolio, and a collection for my first solo art show. Since then I’ve released a number of new collections, shown my artwork in multiple galleries, been accepted to prestigious art festivals, completed my first mural, and developed relationships with clients for commissioned pieces. I’m confident that this path will continue to unfold in the most rewarding ways and I’m excited to see where it leads!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Ha! Not all of the roads have been smooth (literally)! My first art fair in 2021 started off with torrential floods and mudslides and I almost missed the entire festival due to road closures. Art festivals have definitely been one of the biggest challenges so far, yet they’ve also been some of my most rewarding (and successful) experiences as well.

Designing and building a completely unique pop-up art gallery, and then setting it up and breaking it down multiple weekends in a row throughout the summer, can be a real temper tester! Add in wind and rain and hail and floods.

Finding my dream audience, turning on first-time art collectors, and discovering that people of all ages love my art has made it all worth it. This year I’m focusing on growing my online art business in an effort to bring vibrant color into more homes worldwide, but I’ll still vend a few festivals because I love the personal interactions so much.

Most recently it has been challenging to find time to paint as much as I’d like. I gave birth to my daughter Banksia at home in my art studio this past December and my transition to motherhood has been beautiful and full on. My “art” time is being redirected into a completely new creation at the moment! I’m excited to step back into my studio this spring and dive deep as I finish up a few works in progress and bring new ideas to life!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I paint as an offering to the world…to bring bright and vibrant energy into people’s lives….to inspire creativity, movement, and connection. I’m a mixed-media fine artist, specializing in abstract realism. I love working with many different mediums because it makes the painting process an epic journey. It starts as a very free and wild experience with inks and washes and mark making…it’s like an intuitive dance, flowing with what feels exciting and spontaneous. As the process continues through many layers it becomes more and more refined. I always finish with a few layers of oil paint to create depth and juiciness. Each painting is literally captured energy…vibrancy, life, and movement on the canvas.

Currently, I’m feeling proud of my commissioned works. It is such an honor to translate a client’s idea into a painting and for them to fully trust me with creative freedom. I loved creating the custom artwork for the 2022 Mountain Harvest Festival this past year. I also had the pleasure of bringing to life a painting for some newlyweds…a piece that depicted their love story in a poetic and symbolic way. And most recently I was asked to create some big-scale pieces for a newly built home. I’m so grateful for all of my clients that have supported me in my artistic career.

Lastly, I think that there is one part of my process that really sets me apart from others. Over the years I have been collecting a variety of exotic plants and natural objects from around the globe to incorporate into my painting process. After I create an abstract underlayer, I use my plant collection to mask natural forms throughout as part of my background. I absolutely love the effects I can get, pulling energy from different places on earth.

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think it’s best to be proactive and courageous.. and not overthink it! I reached out on a whim to an artist that inspired me to help find art classes and I found two amazing mentors through her who have been instrumental in helping me develop my artistic voice.

Contact Info:

• Website: elyssaedgerly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyssa_edgerly/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elyssaedgerlyfineart