Meet ELLE Streetart

We were lucky to catch up with ELLE Streetart recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi ELLE, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I think it’s in my DNA. Growing up, there was this unspoken energy in our house—no one ever just sat still. My dad’s always been a bit of a workhorse, but not in a grind-yourself-into-the-ground kind of way. He genuinely finds joy and purpose in his work. My mom was constantly doing—cooking, creating, always in motion. Watching them, I learned early that action and intention go hand in hand.

That mentality carried over into my art. As a mural painter and artist, every piece takes planning, hustle, and execution under pressure- a wall needs finishing in a week because you have a flight to catch to the next project. You’re often out in unpredictable environments, racing time and light, fighting rain and materials or security. That kind of work demands dedication. For me, it’s never just about finishing a piece; it’s about making something that speaks, even if it’s ephemeral. That sense of pride in the process—that’s what fuels me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

For the past twenty years, I’ve dedicated myself fully to making art. My career has taken me around the world, painting large-scale murals across cities, for private clients, brands, corporations, and museums alike. Public art has always been central to my practice—I’m drawn to how it transforms everyday environments and brings art directly to the people.

Over the years, I’ve collaborated with a range of global brands—most recently designing the exterior hull artwork for Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2026 ship, Luna. I’ve also created yoga capsule collections for Reebok, painted the interior of Nike South Pacific’s headquarters, and designed a globally released street art poster for IKEA, among many other projects.

In recent years, I’ve been expanding my creative practice into sculpture. I’m currently experimenting with mixed media, combining clay, neon, and blown glass. I studied at Dale Chihuly’s Pilchuck Glass School, where I explored glass and neon, and have continued learning neon bending under Meryl Pataky in San Francisco. I’m also working with large-scale clay forms, developing prototypes for monumental public sculptures that blend traditional materials with light and contemporary forms.

My work continues to evolve, but at its core, it remains rooted in storytelling, scale, and the magic of transforming space. I’m especially excited about upcoming projects that will allow me to bring sculpture into public spaces in the same impactful way murals have shaped my path.

As for recent releases, I designed the label for Imagery Winery’s national launch of their Cabernet Sauvignon—look for it on shelves beginning this month. And coming in 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Luna, featuring my hull artwork, stretching over 1,000 feet, will begin its journey around the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been work ethic, determination, and passion. Those traits kept me moving forward even when things felt uncertain—whether I was learning a new medium, navigating the business side of art, or figuring out how to make a living doing what I love.

There were plenty of moments where I didn’t know exactly what I was doing, but I kept showing up. I stayed curious, kept experimenting, and didn’t let fear of failure stop me from pushing forward. Passion was the fuel, but determination and discipline were what turned that passion into a sustainable career.

For anyone early in their journey: Don’t wait until you feel ready. Just start. Be willing to make mistakes, learn on the go, and put in the hours. Build habits that support your creativity and keep surrounding yourself with people and mentors who inspire and challenge you. Growth comes from momentum, not perfection.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

One of the biggest challenges I’m currently facing is learning to work with new materials in my sculptural practice. I’ve been exploring glassblowing, bending neon glass over fire, and hand-building clay forms. In the beginning, most of what I created broke, slumped, or failed in some way. But after months—and in some cases, years—of practice and trial and error, things are finally starting to come together. It’s incredibly exciting to see the pieces start to take shape the way I imagined.

Another challenge is that large-scale sculpture commissions are difficult to secure without having already completed a major piece. It’s a bit of a Catch-22: the opportunities often require a proven track record, but creating that first large-scale piece requires significant resources. Right now, I’m focused on building prototypes and refining my vision so I’m ready when that opportunity comes. It’s slow, hands-on work, but I believe in the long game—and I’m deeply committed to seeing it through.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ellestreetart.com
• Instagram: @ellestreetart
• Facebook: ELLE Streetart
• Linkedin: ellestreetart
• Twitter: @ellestreetart

Image Credits

Photography compliments of Nika Kramer, Straat Museum, Norwegian Cruise Line, Goldman Walls, Imagery Winery, @JustaSpectator, Rad Napa, @assialens, @kunstlinie