Hi, I’m Ella, a ballpoint pen artist from Melbourne, Victoria. My journey as an artist began in the most unexpected way five years ago. When my grandma passed away, I found myself lost and struggling to cope, drifting away from school and daily routines. She wasn’t just my grandma—she was my second mother, my rock. Every afternoon after school, without fail, we’d sit down for tea and dinner together. Losing her felt like losing a part of myself.
To navigate my grief, I turned to art. During my final years of school, I enrolled in three art subjects, hoping to teach myself from home. Art quickly became my sanctuary—a way to pour my emotions onto paper and rediscover joy. In my final year of VCE, I completed a still-life drawing in pen, using cross-hatching techniques. That moment was transformative. I fell head over heels in love with the intricate detail, control, and raw expression that ballpoint pen offers.
What inspires me? Gender equality, women’s rights, and love are at the heart of my work. I strive to capture rawness and authenticity - qualities I believe are beautifully reflected in ballpoint pen's deliberate, unerasable strokes. Every drawing feels like a piece of me, telling a story that words often can’t.
What have I achieved? For me, art is more than just creating something to share or sell - it’s a lifeline. It has helped me nurture a healthy mind and a sense of purpose. While I’m proud to sell my art, at its core, it’s still my passion and my therapy, a hobby that’s brought me healing and growth.