By Brianna Kwasnik
Growing up in Chicago, Elliott Aaron artist always knew art was his calling. In fact, his love of art started at an early age. His father, who painted as a hobby and had a small studio in their house, instilled this passion in him.
As Elliott comments: “When they say you’re born with it, you’re born with it.”
Consequently, Elliott took art classes throughout middle school and high school. Always, he returned to his roots as an artist. He continued his studies at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he received his BFA in painting.
However, before committing to his Master’s program, an agency offered him a job as a creative director. He decided to take it. For over 20 years, he developed skills in advertising and publishing that would later define his career.
Creating a Space in Performance Art
Elliott has worked hard to stand out in the Chicago art scene. Successfully, he created his own space in the realm of performance art.
Although drawn to Expressionism, he eluded adhering too stringently to historical influences. He believes that if you are too influenced by something, it can prohibit you from creating your own style.
In 2007, he decided to pursue his passion for painting full-time. Thus, he created his brainchild, ArtBeat Live. This project focuses primarily on his unique brand of performance painting.
Just two years later, he had a shift in perspective. He decided to dedicate a good portion of his time to giving back. Now, Elliott Aaron artist partners with non-profit organizations to raise money for those in need.
ArtBeat Live: Adrenaline and Charity
Currently, Elliott puts on an average of 135 shows a year. Remarkably, he has raised over $3,750,000 for charities.
ArtBeat Live performances combine elements of speed painting with music to create dynamic pieces. In traditional speed painting, artists create a piece in four to five minutes. However, during Elliott’s shows, he extends his time up to 12 minutes. He does this to ensure he creates a sellable piece for charity.
According to Elliott, the live painting combined with loud music creates an adrenaline-filled environment. He notes: “That rush can’t be mimicked. When I’m in the studio with the music blasting, painting without the energy of the crowd is just different.”
A Shift to Fine Art
Within the last year, Elliott shifted his attention once more. Now, he creates fine art alongside his performances. He produces large-scale abstract paintings influenced by his favorite music. Furthermore, he incorporates video via social media to let people into his creative process.
His main focus is creating an engaging body of work that represents his passion for living. He explains: “Nowadays, people rarely go out… so my current focus is to utilize video and social media to plug in to potential buyers.”
The Experience of Ownership
The pieces Elliott Aaron artist creates include pop icons, sports figures, and rock stars. For example, a popular creation is the Chicago Blackhawks logo.
Ultimately, his message for his audience remains the same. He encourages them to consider the work at hand because a piece by Elliott is more than a work on canvas. It is an experience.
When you purchase a piece, he wants you to go home after a long day and feel good. As he states: “My mission in life is to use the power of art to harness the power of giving back to those in need, whether it be a charitable notion or pure visual delight.”
