When asked to describe herself as an artist, Elise Nicely says she “creates colorful impressionistic paintings for my audience to enjoy.” That philosophy shines through in both her artistic influences and her work. Inspired by the bold colors of Vincent van Gogh and the Impressionists’ mastery of light, Elise is especially drawn to painting people engaged in everyday activities and interactions. Her patrons are captivated by the lively subjects she brings to life through vibrant palettes and dramatic lighting.

Elise credits Santa Claus with sparking her earliest artistic expression. As a child, she received a Jon Gnagy Learn to Draw kit, and alongside Gnagy’s Saturday morning television lessons in the 1950s, her artistic journey began. Although she spent her professional life as an educator, it was only after retirement that she was able to devote herself fully to her art.

Today, Elise works from a studio in her home. While personal challenges can limit long stretches of focused work, her studio offers a welcoming and comfortable creative space. She draws inspiration from life experiences, plein air outings, and the work of fellow artists, often taking her own reference photographs. Her process usually begins with a photograph, followed by sketches and thumbnails in a multimedia sketchbook. She carefully experiments with palettes and records color swatches alongside her studies before beginning a final piece.

A lifelong learner, Elise recently emerged from a month-long creative block. “I just could not paint. I had no ideas and no motivation,” she recalls. Inspiration returned unexpectedly while scrolling through Instagram, where she discovered a reel demonstrating a loose, colorful painting style. “WOW! It was just what I needed to get me off the couch, down to the studio, and back to work.” Since then, she has been practicing the techniques she observed, striving to develop greater confidence and skill.

Elise especially values constructive feedback and opportunities for growth. One memorable experience came through an online art class, where the instructor used Photoshop to mark up a copy of her artwork, highlighting areas for improvement and pairing those visual corrections with detailed written explanations. The combination proved invaluable in helping Elise refine her work.

Among her favorite paintings are two especially meaningful pieces. The first is a watercolor titled Porch Light, inspired by the porch of a bed-and-breakfast where she stayed while accompanying her mother to her final family reunion. The painting holds special significance not only because of the memory attached to it, but also because it emerged exactly as Elise envisioned it. “No goofs, no mistakes!” she says.

The second favorite is an acrylic painting called Corn Field, inspired by a visit to Antietam Battlefield. Reflecting on the peaceful landscape where terrible violence once occurred, Elise sought to express how time can soften even the deepest wounds. “No one coming upon the scene today who did not know the history would believe such carnage could happen there,” she explains.

Elise hopes to continue improving her work with the goal of eventually presenting a solo exhibition. “I also need to be painting or drawing every day to refine my work,” she says. Her current project, Laughing Fox, was inspired by a memorable encounter with a fox outside her sliding glass door. “When he realized I was behind the glass, he came out of hiding, walked over to a spot about six feet from the door, groomed himself, and then laughed before he walked away!”

In addition to scenes of human interaction, Elise enjoys painting landscapes, florals, animals, and galaxies. Through her work, she aims to create “a happy, colorful world to retreat into,” and she hopes viewers experience joy whenever they encounter her art.