Hi there— I’m Ell Treese (they/them), intuitive painter, queer editorial photographer, tarot reader and educator with a deep passion for healing through creativity. I graduated with BFA in painting from VCUarts in 2020 and moved to San Diego late that year. In June 2025, I moved to Minneapolis and I’m currently a first year Visual Arts MFA candidate at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). My style of work transcends mediums and I use realism and abstraction to create new worlds that reflect our reality and other dimensions. My eye for photography is enhanced by my painting degree and my observant nature. I notice the little things and I’m always pointing them out in life and my work. My style of photography highlights queer joy, authenticity and natural lighting and scenery. I am a curious human, always wanting to explore what is peaking my interests and I implore my students to follow where their curiosity leads them. In my readings, I aim to help my clients rediscover their creative potential, to trust their intuition and listen to their bodies.
I'm passionate about inspiring others and transforming art and creativity into an abstract energy that anyone can participate in no matter their skills. Please feel free to explore my work and join me on this journey of exploring the depths of subconscious creativity through a unique fusion of paintings, photography, and tarot.
About Me
CV
Education
2026 First year Visual Arts MFA candidate at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
2020 BFA Painting and Printmaking, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Awards
2026 Merit Scholarship, awarded by admittance committee of MCAD MFA in Visual Arts program
2018 Most Outstanding Sophomore, awarded by the faculty of VCUarts Painting and Printmaking Department
Experience
2025-2026 Fine Art Production Gallery Wrapping, White House Custom Color, Eagan, MN
2023-2025 Teaching Artist, A Reason To Survive, National City, CA
2024 Collaborated on a mural for A Reason To Survive headquarters, National City, CA
2022-2024 Tabling at various art markets and events, San Diego, CA
2023 Designed and painted a mural for City Tacos on Voltaire st, Ocean Beach, CA
2020-2023 Studio Artist, The Studio Door Gallery, San Diego, CA
2022 Created 6-week workshop on intuitive sketchbook creation, San Diego, CA
2022 Jury selected artist, La Jolla Art and Wine Festival, San Diego, CA
2022 Featured Artist, Art of Pride, San Diego, CA
2022 Created workshop “The Healing Energy of Abstraction”, She Fest, San Diego, CA
Group Shows:
2024 Dreamscape, San Diego Mesa College Gallery, San Diego, CA
2024 Shared Memories, A Reason To Survive, National City, CA
2021 Magic, Witchcraft & Tarot, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA
2021 Obsessed, Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
2020 Kiss Goodbye, Senior Thesis Exhibition Virtual Gallery, Richmond, VA
2019 The Red Show, Denver, CO
2019 Shades of Lavender, Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA
2019 v.Squirrel, Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA
2018 So-Called, Fine Arts Building, Richmond, VA
2018 Sixty Seven, Glogauair Artist Residency, Berlin, Germany
2018 A Strong Line, Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA, Doha, Qatar
Media/Publications
Canvas Rebel Interview, April 2023 https://canvasrebel.com/meet-ell-treese/
Shout Out SoCal Local Artist and Creative Interview, August 2022https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-ell-treese-intuitive-artist/
Hillcrest Walk in Art news story, March 2021https://www.nbcsandiego.com/entertainment/the-scene/hillcrest-hopes-to-boost-pandemic-economy-with-first-thursday-art-walk-in-mural-alley/2566147/?amp
Artist Profile in the LGBTQ San Diego County Newspaper, February 2021https://lgbtqsd.news/artist-profile-ell-treese/
