Five Minutes With…Elisa Valenti Studio

An introduction to Elisa Valenti Studio

My art tells a story, a story about my journey to mental health. My Instagram provides a lens into what’s happening now, what’s on my mind.  

The community around me has been so open with their stories and I wanted to share mine. My struggles, path to becoming an artist and more.

Photography by Elena Kosharny

Here it is.

How did I get into painting?

I started painting in high school. I had a litany of unfinished paintings, which I never understood why I wouldn’t, or maybe couldn’t, finish them. Seemingly, I never had an issue finishing a work with charcoal, graphite or cray-pas – but painting always brought me to a halt, even when the canvas beginnings were promising.

After high school, I steered away from art and went to college where I studied to be a pharmacist but compulsively dreamed of painting. It was during this time where all those unfinished works, started to finish themselves – periodically.  

2016 was a turning point for me, I started to make a plan about how being a full-time artist could be sustainable. It took a few years but in 2018 I quit my job as head of a pharmacy and fully immersed myself. In 2019, I released my first collection – The Confidence Collection.

Why did I leave my stable job as a pharmacist?

Looking back, I think the better question here is why didn’t I pursue a career in art? Why did I think I could set aside my creative instinct that drove me?

Entering the workforce as a pharmacist was the “responsible” route. The one that I thought my parents would be most proud of, the one I thought would make me happy – a reliable income, set hours…it’s what you’re led to believe makes you happy. I honestly thought that once I accomplished what was expected of me, that I could pursue a career in art. 

But I wasn’t happy.

A key message throughout my work is that you are good enough and this idea is so poignant to my personal experiences. I spent my 20s feeling the need to constantly prove myself, my worth and what I did. This pressure was paralyzing – from a personal and creative aspect – and it was then that I knew had to follow what felt right.

Where do you find Inspiration?

My inspiration stems from the need to surround myself with beauty. I’m inspired by objects that have deep sentimental meaning. I’m inspired by Greek and Roman art and history. I’m inspired by strong color and round shapes. I’m inspired by plants and fruit. I see figures in ordinary objects. I’m inspired by my own body and my own emotions.

What themes are addressed in your artwork?

Every collection addresses a different idea or concept but the thread that connects my work is that mental health, loss, grief, confidence and feminism are always addressed.  

The latter is incredibly important to me and I broach this idea by looking at history and anatomy. For years, women were painted by men and so often you see a one-dimensional figure – these women have stories and emotions, they should be seen. Secondly, at a point in time lush, curvy figures were seen as idolized figures – but over time society deemed them unworthy and set unrealistic expectations. While there is still a lot of work to be done, we are making progress on this front – my work shows that beautiful, curvy and diverse women doing things like eating pizza or watering a plant, are worthy of being seen.

Where can one find EV Studio pieces?

You can view my full collection through my website – where you can buy original works, works on paper and limited-edition prints. 

Limited pieces are available at galleries across the U.S., including PopUp Home and PxP Contemporary Gallery.