We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elena Jochum. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elena below.

Elena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I don’t think I truly came up with the idea of live painting—art has always been with us. It predates written language and is deeply rooted in human nature. For me, creating art feels like tapping into something ancestral and timeless, like channeling a pure, primal energy through pigments and marks.

While the concept of fine art isn’t new, what is unique is how I’ve chosen to present and market it. My business focuses on live wedding paintings that capture a specific, meaningful moment. I also create fine art paintings in watercolor and acrylic for art shows and commissions. For my business, I’ve found a deeply personal niche—creating custom artwork that celebrates people’s lives: weddings full of joy, portraits of beloved pets or lost loved ones, and abstract pieces that invite thoughtful, emotional interpretation.

This path truly took shape when I left my position at National Geographic Headquarters to join my husband in Okinawa, Japan, where he was stationed with the Navy. Knowing the job market for military spouses would be limited, I took time to reflect on the skills I could carry with me anywhere. Art was the obvious answer—it’s part of who I am.

The art I create evoke something universal: joy, connection, healing. My goal is to bring light into people’s lives through art that honors their most cherished moments. And in a way, it’s fitting—my name in Greek means “shining light,” and that’s exactly what I aim to be through my work.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a third-generation artist, painting has always felt like it was in my DNA. From an early age, I could recreate images from reference materials with ease—it just came naturally. Still, like many creative kids, I was encouraged to pursue something more “practical.” I earned a degree in psychology, but it wasn’t long before I found my way back to art. My first job out of college was as a graphic designer for a holiday decor company, and it became clear that I needed to stay in a creative field—it’s simply who I am.

Over the years, I worked in corporate design on high-profile projects for brands like Disney, Harry Potter, and National Geographic. While I appreciated the experience, I realized that freelancing suited me better. I wanted to combine my background in graphic design with my passion for fine art, which led me to complete a Fine Art degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). That experience opened a world of possibility for me.

A turning point came when I lived in Okinawa, Japan while my husband served in the Navy. Job opportunities for military spouses were limited, especially during the pandemic, so I poured myself into painting commissions. I painted everything—children, pets, families, homes, even horses. My small business took off, with up to 10 commissions a month at times. I also created merchandise featuring local scenic spots, turning my artwork into greeting cards, mouse pads, and more. It was a beautiful fusion of fine art and design.

After relocating to Virginia, I launched a new offering: Live Wedding Paintings. This service is growing in popularity, and has become the heart of my business. I attend weddings in person and create a large-scale acrylic painting on canvas on-site, capturing a chosen moment from the day in real time. Travel, lodging, and materials are all included—I make it easy and magical for the client. All the client needs to do is choose the moment they want to preserve forever: first kiss. first dance, running down the isle or just get creative with it!

Today, I still run my freelance graphic design business and offer painting commissions, and I’ve recently started a jewelry line as a creative side project. But live wedding paintings and watercolor commissions are where my heart truly is. There’s something electric about the joy and energy of a wedding day—the music, the atmosphere, the emotion. Being able to capture that exact moment of light and feeling is where my generational skill and creative vision come together.

What sets me apart is not just the art itself, but the emotion behind it. My work helps people celebrate love, remember those they’ve lost, and honor meaningful places and moments. Whether it’s a couple’s first dance, a beloved pet, or a scenic view that holds sentimental value, I create pieces that resonate on a deep and personal level.

What I’m most proud of is being able to build a business that not only sustains me but brings real happiness to others. My goal is to spread joy, healing, and shining light through my work. That’s what I aim to be in my art and in the lives of my clients.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One major lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that pursuing art as a career was unrealistic or impractical.

Growing up in a family of artists, you’d think I would have been fully encouraged to follow that path—but ironically, the opposite was true. Because my family knew the struggles that can come with an artistic career, they wanted something “safer” for me. I was pushed toward more traditional paths, and for a while, I listened. I earned a degree in psychology and took jobs that felt more stable or aligned with what people expected of me.

But the longer I stayed away from art, the more disconnected I felt from who I really was. When I finally returned to creative work through graphic design, and later fine art, I realized how deeply ingrained that old narrative was—the one that said, “Art is a hobby, not a career.”

I had to unlearn that mindset and truly believe that my creative work had value—not just emotionally or spiritually, but economically too. It wasn’t easy. It took years of trial and error, building a business from the ground up, and redefining what success meant on my own terms.

Now, I see my art not as a luxury, but as something deeply needed—something that brings joy, healing, and connection. I was scared and pushed through that fear, only to become my true self. I had to trust myself, my skills, and the worth of what I create. And unlearning that old belief opened the door to a career that’s not only fulfilling, but aligned with my true purpose.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Yes, absolutely. Even creatives sometimes struggle to understand each other’s visions. I believe it all comes down to what truly matters in life and whether what you’re doing makes you feel fulfilled and complete. For some people, fulfillment comes from money, family, or fame. For me, it’s creativity. When I dig deep into my soul, I know that being a creative is one of the core reasons I’m here. It’s something I’ve tried to resist in the past—and failed. I feel most whole and at peace when I allow creativity to have a central place in my life.

I’ll give you another example. I developed what I call the “Shoelace Theory.” Most people laugh or are skeptical when I first explain it, but hear me out. The idea is this: if someone is truly obsessed with shoelaces—their design, function, material, whatever—then with enough drive and focus, they can become the absolute best in the world at that niche. They could lead innovation in that field, dominate the market, and find deep satisfaction and success. Why? Because passion, combined with persistence, is unstoppable. Whether it’s shoelaces, storytelling, or painting—if you love it enough and keep going, you will get somewhere.

Being a creative is no different than pursuing any other kind of dream. When you treat it seriously, others begin to understand it more easily too. Some people are born to lead, some are great at math—creatives are born to create. One of the most freeing lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to stop explaining myself. There’s a special kind of joy that comes from simply doing what you’re meant to do. And once you embrace that, you realize: your niche, no matter how small or misunderstood, is incredibly powerful and fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elenajochum.com/
• Instagram: elenajochumart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElenaCheneyArt/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-jochum-a0a58416/

Image Credits

Kevin Liu
Summer Borrelli
Kimberly L.
Tiffany Apitz
Triinu Akimseu