We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eleanor Reyelt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eleanor below.
Eleanor, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Pursuing art never felt like a big decision, it was just what I did. I grew up in a house where the arts were very present. Both of my parents studied art in college and my mother is an art teacher, so creativity was always celebrated, but I think more importantly, it was taken seriously.
In school, I struggled with various learning disabilities but art was the area where I felt most confident. Art gave me a sense of direction and purpose when other subjects felt frustrating or out of reach. My parents fully supported me as my love for creating art grew. They gave me a solid foundation, not just by encouraging me, but by making sure I had the confidence to pursue new art opportunities.
I recognize the privilege that came from that support. I have never had a typical summer job because my parents always emphasized finding work that would build on my artistic goals. This encouragement has helped me stay focused and has kept me on my path to becoming a professional artist.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Eleanor Reyelt and I am
a visual artist based in Boston, Massachusetts. I work primarily in painting and textiles to create bold, material-driven pieces that celebrate the joyful and unapologetic energy of girlhood. I draw inspiration from early aesthetics like glitter, plastic, synthetic fabrics, and bright colors, reimagining these materials with playfulness and intensity. My work features saturated surfaces, layered textures, and sparkling embellishments, such as sequins, to explore themes of visibility, excess, and the power of embracing being “too much.”
My practice is about creating immersive experiences that invite viewers to reconnect with the bright, loud, and fearless spirit of youth. I combine painting and fiber techniques and I am starting to explore installation as a way to expand how my work interacts with space and audience. I want to challenge traditional ideas of femininity by focusing on its loud, vibrant, and expressive sides.
I am currently pursuing a BFA in Painting with a minor in Fibers at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Alongside my studies, I work as a studio assistant for sculptor Janet Echelman. Being an art assistant has given me valuable insights into scale, materiality, and how to engage audiences in public spaces.
I want my art to uplift and empower, encouraging people to embrace their own youthful feelings of girlhood. These feelings can sometimes be dampened during the transition into teenage years and womanhood, but I hope my work helps keep that joyful spirit alive.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I recently participated in my first group art show at the Piano Craft Gallery in Boston. This experience was very powerful for me. Watching strangers engage with my work, whether by asking questions or silently observing, was both fulfilling and also a bit overwhelming. Witnessing firsthand how people connect with my art gave me a deeper sense of purpose and made me realize the profound impact that we all carry with us as creatives.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that art needs to be serious to be taken seriously. For a long time, I thought that if my work wasn’t quiet or polished, it would not be respected. I felt pressure to tone down the playful and colorful parts of my creativity because I worried they would not be seen as legitimate.
Over time, especially as I embraced the joyful, loud energy in my work, I realized that seriousness is not the only way to show value. Being vibrant, bold, and true to myself actually makes my art stronger and more authentic. This is something I am still working on and I know there is more room for growth in my creative practice. Letting go of this perception has opened the door to greater freedom and helped me connect with people who respond to the honesty and celebration in my pieces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eleanorreyelt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleanorreyelt.art/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-reyelt-bb880026a/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@eleanorreyelt
