“Mon coin de violettes." By Eléa.
instagram: @eleapaolina
tiktok: @okeleja
Eléa is a queer artist, illustrator, and tattoo apprentice currently based in Montréal, Canada. Originally from the suburbs of Paris, she spent her formative years immersed in the cultural and emotional landscapes of France, where she developed a deep appreciation for the arts and storytelling. Her academic journey began with the study of literature, later transitioning to cinema, two disciplines that continue to influence the narrative quality of her visual work.
Driven by a long-standing dream of becoming a professional tattoo artist and illustrator, Eléa made the bold decision to relocate to Canada to fully pursue her artistic ambitions. Her work is characterised by a distinctive, naïve yet melancholic style, often exploring themes of femininity, nature, and the cosmos. Whether through delicate line work, symbolic imagery, or poetic compositions, she seeks to create visual narratives that evoke emotion and introspection.
Eléa is also an avid traveler and poet, and these passions deeply inform her creative practice. Each piece she creates is imbued with personal meaning, drawing inspiration from her lived experiences, emotional landscapes, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments.
Tell us about the piece you’re submitting!
This piece was created during a pivotal moment in myartistic journey: a time when I finally gained clarity about the direction I wanted to pursue with my art. It marked a transformative point where everything began to make sense creatively and emotionally.
The characters in the piece are both naïve and poetic, serving as mirrors of my internal world. For me, these figures are more than illustrations, they are a means of translating and sharing thoughts and emotions I once kept hidden.
As a child, I was extremely shy and introspective, often remaining silent and guarded. Expressing myself was difficult, and I rarely let others into my inner life. Art became a powerful outlet, allowing me to communicate what words could not. This work is deeply personal, representing my evolution not only as an artist but also as someone learning to open up, connect, and be seen.
