Meet Ella Elshekh | Mixed media artist/Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ella Elshekh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ella, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is from Friedrich Nietzsche, The Dawn, 1881 “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” So many things in my life I can relate to this quote, I believe that we should be able to think differently, take risks and get support for the outcome no matter how” out of the box” the idea is! Our goals in life are different and it sure varies from one person to the other the method by which they pursue these goals. Therefore, the time we take to get there shouldn’t be anyone’s problem, the same goes for the circumstances and the outcome. Everyone has their unique goals, circumstances, and plans, so we shouldn’t be judgmental about each other’s choices.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Like so many artists, I didn’t want to be anything else. I am always excited to get the first couple of marks on the surface and I am always looking forward to the moment of weaving the yarn in the canvas. I couldn’t use color for the longest time though, all I did was drawing at the beginning for few years, with ink pens and pencils. Then I started painting when I took my art history class in college, I felt the need to try to paint and learn how to mix colors. However, drawing is always my step one, and I enjoy it the most. During college was the time that I used almost all mediums, and I started making mixed media art works, I enjoyed doing collages and adding yarn to my paintings. I started making art because I didn’t know any other way of expressing feelings, and human emotions are what interest me in making art until now. I am currently developing my skills in digital art as well, during the pandemic I worked on some projects and that was very practical as well when I needed to make projects in a very short time like, Conversations. I know for sure that I’m not going to limit myself to a specific medium, I will get bored, and I guess that is why I’m enjoying learning about ceramics right now! mediums vary but human emotions is always my inspiration.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first destination has to be the Dallas Museum of Art, there wouldn’t be even a discussion about that! I became a real foodie since I moved here and Dallas, and therefore, the next destination would be Terry Black’s BBQ! Dallas has a pretty cool evening vibe in places like lower Greenville and uptown, so I would make sure to hit these spots for an evening hang out for sure!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I was first introduced to drawing and illustration by my grandfather who used drawing as a distraction method to stop me from crying when I was just a little girl and it did way more than that, obviously! So I thank him for that! Of course, my mom comes second because she has been always my biggest fan and my all-time supporter, even though studying abroad wasn’t really something she was comfortable with!! Faris El-Silagy was my art mentor since I was in high school until I left. He taught me everything, starting from how to hold the pencil right and sit properly on the aisle, to drawing still life, portraits, and landscape in pencils and charcoal. Last but not least, my dearest art professor, Marian Lefeld, who I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said that I wouldn’t have made it here without her! I got to say, when you see someone who believes in you as she believes in me, you just find yourself running the extra mile always because you know you are not alone in this! I consider myself so lucky to have someone like her who always pushes me to do better! I must also thank all my friends who helped me be here and the ones that supported me along the way! Thank you, everyone!

Website: https://linktr.ee/lelshekh

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ella.skhh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-elshekh-638931154/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellaelskh/

Other: https://aelskhmyportfoliocom.myportfolio.com/