Hello! I’m Elise, and I was made for joy.

I’m a writer, fine artist, and photographer based out of Nashville. I love creating beauty out of chaos—bringing structure to places of unrest—and giving form to the unspeakable.

I learned from a young age that I was a creative being, created in the image of a loving, awe-inspiring Creator. My faith, as it has ebbed and flowed across my life, really is what drives me forward. I love Jesus so much, and it’s from a place of overflow from His love, that I feel led to create and speak and move and have my being. Nothing I create can compare to all that God has made, but I do love to practice.

Throughout my life, I’ve loved different mediums, never satisfied with one story, one category. Whether it was music, dance, theater, film, creative writing, photography, fine art, or design—I’ve always loved trying out new forms of expression. Lately, I’ve found a home in the intersection of art and text. I want what I make with my hands to collide with my words. I’ve had a lot of fun writing poems for my paintings and creating stories through portraits. I’ve even been producing my own worship music. I will probably never stop picking up new instruments, whether that’s a banjo or a box of pastels.

The creative process for me is like a dance that never ends. The steps are always changing, the days turn to nights, and the genres transition—but the goal is always the same—creating sparks.

My love for the creative world came from my mom. She is an incredible fine artist, working in oils and textiles. Growing up, I remember being fascinated by her sewing machines and fabrics. She always worked to cultivate an environment that was intentional in its design and function. I still love digging through her art school archives.

I hope my work creates a spark in you. I hope you see that there’s more to this life than just what’s on the surface. I hope it makes you ask questions—and maybe one day, you’ll find the answers you’ve always looked for.

Outside of the creative world, I have a long and winding resume that ranges from teaching British Literature to marketing software to professional copywriting. I received my MS in Marketing and BA in Creative Writing from the University of Colorado Denver.

During the pandemic, I started my own company, Monarch Studios, to help women jumpstart their digital businesses. For several years, I helped all kinds of creatives, small business owners, and influencers take their business dreams to the next level with online marketing, social media, and design.

Most recently, in 2022, I launched Garden Theology, an online community of Spirit-filled creatives that seeks to raise up a new generation of theologians and increase Biblical literacy in young adults. I’m currently writing books and publishing content there! You can read my latest book, The Season of Singleness, linked below.

Most Sunday afternoons, you’ll find me weaving tapestries, cultivating roses, or dancing around the kitchen with my cats. I might even start writing a fantasy series, who knows! Stick around, and you might be surprised.

xo elise