Artist
Elspeth McKellar

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I studied classical painting, where I was trained in oil painting, portraiture, and figure drawing. That foundation instilled in me a deep appreciation for technical skill, tradition, and the power and beauty of the human form. From there, I moved into the world of tattooing, where I worked professionally for several years. Tattooing taught me invaluable lessons—precision, confidence, strong design, and composition—and I’m grateful for everything that season gave me. But despite how much I gained from it, my heart always returned to oil painting. There’s something in the medium that speaks to me in a way nothing else can, and eventually I knew I had to follow that pull. I’ve since taken the leap back into full-time painting, and I’m committed to building a life around that passion.

 

I love to paint. I love the pursuit of beauty in art. In a culture that often turns away from beauty or sees it as outdated, I find it a deeply worthwhile and honourable path. I’m drawn to artworks that tell stories and carry emotional weight—pieces that are not only skillfully made, but also meaningful and moving. My practice centres on landscapes and figure painting, though I’m always exploring new ways to express ideas through light, form, and colour.

 

This year, I’m offering a series of small commissions, turning people’s personal photographs into oil paintings. It’s a way to make real, original art more accessible, while also creating something unique and meaningful for the person—something that honours their story or memory. Alongside this, I’m working on a larger body of work for an upcoming exhibition, one that will bring together everything I’ve learned and refined over the last decade.

 

And above all, I’m also a mum. I cherish the quiet rhythm of balancing motherhood and art—two roles that constantly teach me about presence, purpose, and the beauty of slow growth.

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