I’m Elan Kesilman, a watercolor artist, accountant, and educator based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For nearly 30 years, I’ve been exploring the interplay between emotion and expression through art. My journey began with a focus on portraiture and the human figure, capturing the subtleties of feelings and moments in time. Over the years, my subjects have expanded to include animals and landscapes, each piece aiming to encapsulate a fleeting emotion or a snapshot of life.
My primary medium is watercolor, but I also work with oil, acrylic, gouache, and charcoal, often blending these to achieve the desired effect. I believe that art has the uncanny ability to unearth the emotion behind physical expression, and this belief drives my creative process.
I’ve studied with a number of great draughtsmen and painters through New Masters’ Academy, such as Steve Huston, Leo Mancini-Hresko, and Sheldon Borenstein. My work has been exhibited in numerous galleries across the world, but I also enjoy selling locally in person and doing commissions.
I invite you to explore my portfolio and experience the emotions captured within each work. Whether it’s a portrait, an animal, or a landscape, each piece tells a story, waiting to connect with you.