my journey with art
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About the Artist:
Hello, my name is Eli Arellano, born David Cordova. I’m a queer Indigenous artist from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Since childhood, I’ve always been drawn to colored pencils and crayons. In high school, I became more serious about art. After graduating, I chose graphic design as my major in college, but I soon realized that it wasn’t the right path for me and fell into the 9-to-5 work life. Around the age of 28, I treated art as a hobby, taking on commissions occasionally.
However, as my collection of pieces began to accumulate and I found myself overwhelmed with no space to store them, I realized it was time to share my work with the world. In April 2024, I showcased my artwork for the first time during First Fridays at OneBody Fitness Studio in downtown Colorado Springs. My dream is to become a full-time artist, traveling to share my story through my creations and to find a community where I feel accepted and can build connections.
About the Art:
Over the years, my art has evolved. Before the pandemic, I felt I lacked a distinct style and often created replicas of existing images. At the end of 2020, after the end of a relationship, I found myself heartbroken and compelled to express my emotions on canvas through a self-portrait. Since then, I have embarked on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering the beauty of life in both its positive and negative aspects. I feel a soul connection with Frida Kahlo, whose influence has inspired me through visions of my dreamlike creations. My art style and choice of medium are not confined to a single box; as my energy shifts, so does my style. I create pieces using everything from oil paint to shattered broken bottles, finding value in the medium that tells its own story.
"i can't see me cry"