International Women’s Day Spotlight: Ellen Walsh

Ellen is a watercolour artist, graphic designer, and a small business owner from Melbourne. Ellen is the founder and artist behind Ellen Walsh Designs, a stationary and card company that showcases her beautiful paintings.

Ellen, what inspired you to pursue your creative passion? 

I was initially inspired by other watercolour artists on Instagram. I saw what they were doing, and I really wanted to try it - so I just started teaching myself.   

Throughout university, I didn’t really know that you could even have a career in something so creative. I was studying Graphic Design, which is much more strict in terms of creativity, and hadn’t considered that I could just do my own thing. That I could start my own line. 

Then one day, I walked into a local gift store and saw all the artist’s cards on the wall. I thought it looked so amazing, that I just thought - that's what I want to do.

How do you stay motivated, especially during the more challenging times in your career? 

Underneath everything, I just love creating art and painting. Even if I didn’t have a business and it wasn’t my job, I know that I would still be creating art—painting watercolour things, trying out different techniques.

And then when I see it have an impact on someone, or I see what I have created on a shelf in a store, the feeling just keeps building and it makes me want to create more.  

I just love creating, I love the process. So I think that's what keeps me motivated.

What advice would you give to other women who want to pursue their creative endeavours?

To just go for it. You can always start it as a hobby and grow it from there. And if you really love what you’re doing, why not? You’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try.  

'Check out Ellen’s website to explore her range or join a watercolour workshop.