ABOUT THE ARTIST
The Origin Story
Elize McKelvey graduated in 2012 with her BFA in illustration, but to understand how she ended up an artist in the Marine Corps, we need to rewind a few years to where that origin story begins. It was a typical day in the year 2010, another day of rushing to finish a project because she spent the weekend at a cross-country meet, for some reason she decided running collegiate-level cross country and going to art school would be a breeze. Elize always had to do things I little differently though, (this should have been foreshadowing for her future). Before sitting down in class that day, Elize assumed she would graduate college and join the art industry as a concept artist, as one does. She was attending a class called “the history of illustration,” and for a brief moment, the professor mentioned something called combat art.
I’m sorry, what…what is combat art? Never hearing of the Marine Corps combat art program before or the whole concept of art and war, she went home that night and started researching. It made sense though, all these paintings throughout history had to come from somewhere. Over the next weeks she would start calling people she found online associated with the program, hoping to find out more about this world. The individuals that she was cold-calling would later become some of her biggest art mentors.
For the remaining two years of college, Elize would heed the advice of the artists before her and make sure that she was joining the Marines for the right reasons. To be a Marine first and an artist second (a common quote for combat artists). The mission? Share stories through art. So on May 20th, 2012, just one day after graduating college, she left for Bootcamp, thus beginning her unpredictable, exciting, stressful, and sometimes sad eight-and-a-half-year journey as an active duty Marine. Due to earning the title Marine and experiencing what it takes from the private level to her last rank as a Staff Sergeant, she’d gained an understanding that only those who have worn the uniform can understand.
Elize today
Elize is pushing her career as a freelance artist with storyboarding, animating, traditional fine art, and digital illustration techniques. Her efforts have landed her opportunities to work with companies like VETtv, Wacom, Michaels Art Craft Store, The Smithsonian Channel with Paramount, Pilot pen, and many more.
If Elize isn’t out on an “artventure” in her mobile art studio/SUV camper, you can find her posting under the pseudonym of “inkstickart,” on sites like Instagram and tik-tok. With a climbing audience of 270k, she actively shares her lessons learned and experiences with all who are interested. Everyone, no matter who you think you are, has a story to tell. This is what she has carried with her back into the civilian world as she continues to carve (or draw) her path as an artist.
Visit Elize McKelvey for additional information.
ABOUT THE SERIES
Wonder. Storytelling. Human Connection. From a converted carriage barn on South Street in Stockbridge, MA, Norman Rockwell painted his way into the hearts and lives of people around the world. In this Studio—his last and “best yet”—Rockwell’s imaginative artistry established a legacy of creativity that continues to inspire artists and visitors alike. Today, illustration art is everywhere: books and graphic novels, editorials and advertising, video games and the metaverse, posters, comics, clothing, and tattoos.
This monthly series of online and on-demand programs features leading illustrators demonstrating their craft and discussing ways in which published illustration reflects and shapes society, and advances social good.