Today we’d like to introduce you to Elena Markelova.
Hi Elena, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom enrolled me in art school when I was ten years old, and after years of studying different mediums, I completely fell in love with watercolor. When I moved to Canada from Siberia in 2012, I was amazed by the incredible wildlife and landscapes around me. Seeing a black bear in the wild for the very first time completely changed how I looked at nature and became the inspiration behind my work.
My brand grew from that experience. I wanted to create artwork that celebrates the places and animals we share this world with while reminding people how precious they are. Every painting is created with love, and I hope it inspires others to slow down, spend time outdoors, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Being an artist and running a small business means wearing so many different hats, and sometimes it feels like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day. I’m balancing being a mom and wife with painting, teaching, running my business, marketing, shipping orders, working with shops, and all the little things that people don’t see behind the scenes.
There have also been moments of self-doubt, burnout, and wondering whether I could really make this work as a full-time career. It’s easy to compare yourself to other artists or feel like you should be doing more.
But I’ve learned that the journey isn’t supposed to be perfect. I’ve had to learn to be patient with myself, celebrate the small wins, and keep coming back to why I started in the first place. I think every challenge has helped me grow—not only as an artist, but as a person and a business owner.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a watercolor artist specializing in nature and wildlife, with a particular love for combining animals with the landscapes they call home. I’m best known for my double exposure-style paintings, where a bear, wolf, or other animal becomes a window into forests, mountains, oceans, and other natural environments.
What I’m most proud of is developing a style that feels truly personal to me. I didn’t set out to create something completely different, I simply followed what I love: wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and the unpredictable magic of watercolor. Over time, those things came together naturally into the way I paint today.
I also feel proud that my work has grown beyond the paintings themselves. Through teaching workshops and organizing art retreats, I get to build a community around creativity and nature, which has become a very meaningful part of what I do.
What sets my work apart is that I’m not just interested in painting what an animal looks like. I want to show where it belongs and the connection between the creature and its environment. For me, each painting is a little reminder that we are all part of the same natural world and that it’s worth protecting.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are so many people who deserve credit for where I am today, and my mom is at the very top of that list. She was the first person to believe in my art. She enrolled me in art school when I was ten, encouraged me to keep creating, and supported not only my artistic journey but also the little business I was already trying to build when I was young. I truly wouldn’t be where I am without her.
When I moved to Canada, everything was new to me. I had to learn how to navigate a new country, a new art community, and eventually, how to build a business here. Some of my best mentors became the shop owners and fellow artists I met along the way. Their advice, encouragement, and willingness to share their experiences helped me find my footing during those early years.
Today, my family continues to be a huge part of my success, but so are my students and collectors. I have such a special connection with my students, and I’m incredibly grateful for them. And when a collector tells me that one of my paintings has become meaningful to them or has found a special place in their home, it reminds me why I do this in the first place. Those connections mean more to me than I can really put into words.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ElenaMarkelova.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenamarkelova_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elenamarkelovaarts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elenamarkelova_art
