Kailua / Hawaii
Elyse' Jokinen is a self-taught visual artist that began creating collage at a young age. At the start of 2020, she was plugged into the online artist community and everything changed. Elyse' was blown away by the connection and beauty she found there and it wasn't long before Wilder was born.
Now, you can find Elyse' passionately sharing the magic of collage art through the Wilder Collage community. She's working to create a space of deeper connection with opportunities for artists to share and grow. There are so many amazing things on the horizon and Elyse' feels profoundly grateful to be doing this work.
When she's not facilitating over at Wilder, you can find Elyse' creating mixed media analog collage work from her home studio, shooting photography (mostly of her family), and bobbing in the ocean any chance she gets.
Elyse' has been featured with PxP Contemporary, All She Makes, Art Mums United, Visionary Art Collective, The Art Queens, Arts to Hearts more.
Elyse' has had the opportunity to appear on podcasts such as Colour Me Happy, Create!, Women United ART PODCAST and Tranquility du Jour.
After having my first son in the start of 2017, I quickly realized I needed an outlet. Motherhood didn't come easy to me, it felt isolating and a bit scary.
I picked up a DSLR camera and started to learn. I took class after class, studying composition, light and story. Photography was an art I could practice with my newborn and express myself in ways I didn't know possible. It helped me slowdown and appreciate even the most mundane moments.
It changed everything for me.
A couple years later I began to branch out of photography by exploring other mediums. I started writing again, reading poetry and dabbling in abstract painting. Then one day I realized I had gone full circle as I sat in my living room surrounded by magazines, scissors and glue. I had classic rock playing in the background and I was home.
I made my first collage almost two decades ago and now it's the main focus of my art practice.
The first time I submitted this I said, "My dreams for the future include creating a collage community." And here I am! Making it! It's an expressive, accessible art and I love it to my core. Weird art makes the world go round. Join me!
Who are you (tell us briefly about yourself)?
Hi! I'm Elyse' Jokinen. A self-taught visual artist working primarily in collage. I'm the founder and passionate facilitator at Wilder Collage.
What inspires your art practice?
I'm drawn to specific colors and I try to keep their organic shape of how I found them. I'm also inspired by the magic of nature, mostly plants and flowers. Lastly women appear a lot in my work as I'm inspired by our strength!
What drives you to keep going every day?
The connections I've made on this journey and the joy I get from sitting at my art desk and making work. Nothing can beat those two things. I'm so fortunate!
What's the number one advice to fellow women artists?
Find your people and follow what truly pulls you!
