Today we’d like to introduce you to Elianna
Hi Elianna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always known that art would be my life. As an only child, I spent countless hours creating, experimenting with different materials until I found what resonated. In 2014, I took my first step into selling by uploading drawings—mostly One Direction tattoos—to Redbubble. With minimal effort required on my part, it became an easy entry point into selling my work.
I studied design in college, and for my senior thesis, I created a tarot-like card deck featuring character illustrations I developed over the course of that year. Seeing how they made people smile at the exhibition, I knew I wanted to keep sharing them—fostering community, spreading joy, and creating connections through my art. For the first time, I had something entirely unique to me, and it made me realize that building a career as an artist OUTSIDE of the traditional 9-5 was possible.
After graduating, I threw myself into Austin’s pop-up scene—booking shows before I even had prints or merch. I bought tons of different styles and shades of clothing and printed many different designs to see what would stick, and unexpectedly fell into fabricating my own merchandise. Pop-ups helped me build a strong network, collaborate on creative projects, and grow from printing on my kitchen floor to setting up a small bedroom ‘studio’.
I’m still in the early stages of my career, but I’m excited about how far I’ve come—and where I’m headed next.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a business is challenging. I’m figuring it out as I go. I’ve started an LLC, learned how to buy wholesale, and I’m getting used to the business side of being a full-time artist. Developing my characters was also a struggle—I’m extremely hard on myself and can feel when a drawing feels complete, but for a long time, nothing was hitting the mark for me. Through practice and deeper reflection on the purpose of my illustrations, my characters gradually took shape. Eventually, I created something that felt strong, something I could confidently move forward with, but before that, I wasn’t sure what I’d be selling or what my purpose was as an artist.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I draw friendly, whimsical characters inspired by artists like Shel Silverstein. They’re nameless, androgynous, and expressive—I love how much emotion I can convey through their body language and simple expressions. While they draw inspiration from others, they feel uniquely mine, and I’m especially proud when people tell me they connect with them.
Beyond my personal illustrations, I love working at the intersection of art and music—designing posters, band logos, and merchandise One of my proudest moments was seeing my logo and drawings displayed across the stage at ACL Fest for Arya. Moments like that remind me why I do this.
Some of my prints, like Hyde Park Hotties, have also gained recognition around Austin, deepening my connection to the community and making my work feel even more meaningful.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The resurgence of print media makes me excited for the future. I’m hopeful that my generation and those younger will continue embracing physical publications, CDs, records, and tangible forms of art. At the same time, I worry about the impact of AI on artists—especially corporations opting for AI-generated graphics over human-made work. One of the first things they teach in design school is to create with empathy. Human touch is something AI simply can’t replicate. There’s an irreplaceable depth and authenticity in art made by real people, and I’m hopeful that audiences will continue to recognize and resist the shift toward automation in creative industries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eliannamp.cargo.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliannasart/
Image Credits
Samantha Tellez
