Elissa McMineman

A beginner art class in graduate school introduced me to pastels, and I fell in love with the way they combined the tactile experience of drawing with painting’s ability to layer light and color.

 I find most of my inspiration in nature: the beauty of the landscape, the ever-changing moods of the New England weather, and the details within a scene that are fascinating when one looks closely. I developed my love of nature through many family hiking trips growing up, and also through a love of photography. My photos are often a source for my paintings, and I believe that enjoying both mediums has helped me develop many skills as an artist.

Elissa has an undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College, and has studied art at the New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University and the Worcester Art Museum. She has also had the opportunity to study with many talented pastel artists such as Christine Bodnar, Jeanne Rosier Smith, Aline Ordman, and Jacob Aguiar.

​She is a member of the Pastel Society of New Hampshire and the Central Mass Pastel Society.