Elise Okrend
A native of New York City, Elise Okrend earned a BA in Fine Art and enjoyed a successful career in design and print production before she and her husband, Phil, founded MixedBlessing, Inc., a greeting card company. Designing cards led her back to her first love: painting pastel landscapes.
Elise has maintained a studio in the River Arts District for more than eight years. “I have always considered my art studio and gallery as a place of comfort and beauty, a sanctuary from the stresses of the world,” she says. Natural light in the space along with a soothing water feature provide the backdrop for paintings she describes as “very blended, creating a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere.”
Her studio survived the hurricane, and visitors express gratitude that the space radiates positivity and hope. “A month before the storm, watercolor artist Amy Massey joined my studio in the space adjoining mine,” Elise says. “Our work has a synergy, with natural elements that bring a warm, healing environment to all who visit.”
Elise Okrend Studio & Gallery is located at the Wedge Studios, 129 Roberts Street, Asheville. Learn more at EliseOkrend.com, or follow on Instagram (eliseokrendart) and Facebook (eliseokrendpastelartist).
