Elaine Stephenson is an Atlanta artist and muralist creating bright and colorful art with positive messages to uplift and inspire. She draws from her personal experience with anxiety and depression as a means to create art that focuses on the beauty of life and encourages others. Born in Atlanta, she studied graphic design at the University of Georgia, which ignited her love for typography and bold design. After a 10 year design career she started her own art and mural business, combining both her strategic design skills and an artistic voice to create vibrant art that enhances spaces. Since beginning her mural journey in 2018, she has painted over 50 murals throughout Georgia, from Blue Ridge to Athens. Elaine is very involved in public art and has several large murals around Atlanta, such as a bridge underpass in the West End and a parking garage entrance at Atlantic Station. She lives with her family and cats in Decatur and outside of art enjoys yoga, traveling, and consuming too many chai lattes.
“Nourish to Flourish,” symbolizes the essential need to nurture our communities in order for them to flourish. Referencing the surrounding nature including the local garden at the historic St. Mark church, it features bumblebees interacting with local flora—magnolia blossoms, purple coneflowers, and the Cherokee Rose, Georgia’s state flower. These elements not only celebrate the beauty of nature but also highlight the crucial role of pollinators like bumblebees in sustaining ecological and communal well-being. The composition highlights the importance of bumblebees, representing not just the ecological service they provide but symbolizing the broader nourishment required within communities like English Avenue. Just as bees pollinate flowers, contributing to their flourishing, so too does each member of a community contribute to its collective thriving. The chosen flowers underscore a deep respect for Georgia’s natural heritage, encouraging viewers to reflect on their connection to the environment and community. “Nourish to Flourish” is designed to inspire community pride and stewardship. It will serve as a reminder to nurture our surroundings and community with the same dedication as we would a cherished garden, in order to see it flourish.
“Just as bees pollinate flowers, contributing to their flourishing, so too does each member of a community contribute to its collective thriving.”
