About
Elana Maraldo is a charcoal artist and oil painter based in Hinckley, Ohio. She is currently studying painting and drawing at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and intends to graduate with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in August of 2026. She previously attended Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) in Parma, Ohio, and graduated with her Associate of Arts degree in 2024. During her time at school, Elana’s work has been exhibited in Tri-C’s invitational student and alumni show in 2024 and BGSU’s Undergraduate Exhibition in 2025.
Working primarily in oil painting and charcoal drawing, Elana’s work focuses on domesticity, intimacy, and close familial relationships. She is inspired by small moments of touch and affection and seeks to elevate them in her artistic practice. She is particularly drawn to the memories that linger as a result of familial affection, or the craving of absent memories that may have never been experienced.
Artist Statement
The driving force of my work comes an exploration of relationships and the tenderness and history that lies between two different individuals or their surroundings. I am inspired by the tendency to use those close to us as places of rest, whether that be physically or emotionally. Surrendering oneself in this way to another human results in a tender moment of trust, intimacy, familiarity, and closeness.
Using charcoal ensures that my presence is visible in the work. Charcoal demands a close physical connection to the artwork, with a productive workday resulting in dust all over my hands and smudged on my forearms, face, and neck. These qualities of charcoal reflect the closeness I feel to my subjects and the moments of touch and engagement they are experiencing in the drawings. The mark of a charcoal stick reflects how impermanent a moment truly is — rarely ever are people able to recall the past exactly as it happened. Creating these drawings helps to elevate these moments to something that demands attention and immortalization. The inclusion of both large format pieces and smaller pieces echoes the feeling of trust that results from an accumulation of intimate moments. Without the smaller gestures, such as holding hands, braiding hair, or cooking a meal for a loved one, the larger moments of affection are not as meaningful. People do not seek out others to use as rest without a build-up of these smaller moments.
The subjects of my drawings are examples of the small, unassuming moments that I want to elevate to a highly technical and emotionally striking level. My interest in these subjects stems from the feelings of love and contentment that I experience when I am involved in these moments. Being away from my source of comfort and familiarity, my family, while I am at school has contributed to my increased observation and interest in these moments. Drawing these moments allow me to prolong the experience of closeness that I have missed while at school. Through these works, I aim to communicate the humble qualities of familial affection and the imprints that touch and emotional surrender leaves on the soul in both a physical and emotional context.
