Meet Auriel Elmore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Auriel Elmore.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in Tucson, but I grew up in Utah. Both my parents influenced me creatively, but my mother really taught me everything I know. After my daughter was born in 2013, I faced a creative block. I was unable to let the gates open and just — blossom. Eventually, with the help and encouragement of many friends and family, I slowly dipped my toes back in and found my roots again. Ever since then, I have creativity pouring out my ears and can’t go a single day without making something. Recently, my passion has been my watercolors and that makes sense to me, my mom taught me how to use watercolors and it feels like home.

Please tell us about your art.
I’m kind of all “over the place”. My watercolors seem to catch the most eye. I paint cartoon-like portraits or people and touch on realism with my pet and home portraits. These paintings are fun, but I’ve had a few orders that pulled my heart strings a bit. I did a memorial for a deceased child and a few of deceased pets. I have painted peoples’ childhood homes. I feel it’s become a road to connect with nostalgia in a light way.

I also make costumes, which shocks people when all they know me for is my watercolors. I use recycled materials and try to create earth-friendly renditions of fun characters. It started by making costumes for my daughter like my mother did for me; tradition. It has become so fun to have an audience during Halloween, people are anxious to see what I come up with.

I hope people will feel the warmth in my designs. I am just the mom next door, part of a family; my art exists because there is creativity in my DNA, I wouldn’t be in this place without my mother.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I don’t know. Maybe I shut out the noise of the world. Art has always played a consistent role in my life. A lot of artists come out of the woodwork during political shifts and international revolution. It does feel like things are shifting and I appreciate the artists with the guts to make a statement. I don’t really let the static in, I just do me.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Right now, I am most active on Instagram. You can see examples of what I do there and order custom art from me, too.

Contact Info:

• Email: dayofthethreadup@gmail.com
• Instagram: Dayofthethreadup

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