"Valentino Velvet I"

Elissa was born in Ontario and grew up in North Vancouver. She studied graphic Arts and received her diploma as a Graphic Arts Technician from George Brown College in Toronto. After graduating she worked in many art related businesses including advertising (layout artist), printing (creative director). Display Art (Sales manager), and a stint as a scenic artist. 

 

She moved to Europe in the early 90’s and spent 7 yrs travelling the continent, visiting major Galleries, redefining her artistic outlook and garnering as much information about painting and art as possible.  During this time she studied Fine Art at the “Midlands Arts Centre” In Birmingham, England. 

 

In 1997 Elissa moved to Vancouver island and the move proved inspirational. Since then she has flourished and grown as an Oil painter primarily in landscapes, but segues into large format floral, mixed media, abstractions and modern impressionism from time to time. Her style usually includes acrylic and oil in the same paintings.

 

Elissa has shown at such prestigious venues as the Old School House, Nanaimo Art Gallery, Nanaimo Arts Council, Lloyd Major Gallery, Gallery 223, Milner Gardens, The Rollins Centre, Englishman River Gallery, Smashing Glass, Island Exposures and the Mark Penney Gallery and the Gust Gallery in Waterton National Park.

 

She was the President of the Arrowsmith Room at the former “Oceanside Arts Council” in Parksville and sat as a founding member for the Centre for the Arts Nanaimo. She taught and exhibited for 3 years at the “Major Gallery” in Parksville. She recently took part in the West Coast Mural Mosaic. Elissa worked with approx 180 artists to create a huge mural called “Konamokst“. This was unveiled at the 2010 Olympics. You can see it online at www.muralmosiac.com. And once again, this year she participated in the Summer Games Mosaic. Every year she takes part in the “5 Object Show” in Nanaimo and Shows in Milner Gardens for their Annual “Art In the Garden” Show. She also entered the “Grand Prix d’Art” in Qualicum Beach and in 2012 won an award of merit for her painting of the Chamber of Commerce Building. Her paintings have graced the covers of several magazines including Art Trends Magazine out of Edmonton, The Van Dop Guide, Eyes on BC and Island Arts Magazine here on Vancouver Island.

 

Elissa’s work can be seen in many area galleries including Englishman River Gallery, Nanaimo Art Gallery, The Salish Sea Market and the Comox Airport, Sooke Harbour House and the Village Gallery in Sidney BC. She is member of The Federation of Canadian Artists, 

 

When Elissa is not painting, she teaches oil and acrylic painting to adults in The Elissa Anthony Studio Gallery. Her style swings from Realism thru expressionism, abstraction, impressionism.

 

Her interpretations of Vancouver Island capture her love of her adopted home. Her wide range of professional and artistic skills, combined with a unique sense of humour, provide a delightful range of artwork to choose from.

 

Recently Roger’s Chocolate’s of Victoria purchased 4 of her images for their Canadian Collectors tins.