I was born in Turin, Italy, where I live and work.

I started drawing when I was at high school, I was very good at drawing animals but also at reproducing classical paintings with colored pencils.

When I finished high school, I enrolled in university and chose the faculty of electronic engineering. The university years were very busy, and I spent most of my time studying very “unartistic" subjects, so much so that I forgot about paper and pencils for a long time but kept my passion for art, especially drawing and painting, strong.

When I decided to start drawing again the subject that came most naturally to me to draw was a cat, I love animals and especially felines. As the great Leonardo da Vinci wrote, "even the smallest of felines is a masterpiece". A cat's expression can go in a split second from tenderness to a wild look, revealing the deeper nature that has remained in him.

In the same way the look with which a dog looks at his “human" reveals his loyal and grateful nature.

I always start with the eyes, the mirror of the soul, from there the sheet of paper comes to life and then comes the rest.

Starting with colored pencils, I also began to use sanguine pencil, graphite, and most recently charcoal, which gives me much satisfaction. It's amazing how you can create something alive out of nothing using just one color and working only on shading, pressure and curvature of the lines.

I use 300g 100% cotton paper.

I have been successful in various international competitions, my works having been exposed in various physical and online exhibitions.

For more information on my work or if you’re interested in commissioning a pet portrait, please visit my website.

Website: www.elenaansaloni.it
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elena.ansaloni.587