Elsa Pla

“Last Summer’s Sunflower”

I had planned on drawing this striking sunflower from a reference photo I took last year. I thought it would be good practice and fun. Of course, I didn’t know then that the piece would turn out to be much more significant.

“Distant”

I worked on this piece most of last year and couldn’t finish it until now. That and the piece itself tells you how I was feeling.

“Still Life”

A still life that I’m simply calling “Still Life.” Kind of what life’s like right now. On pause. With danger, but also hope. And beauty, always beauty.

“Counting Blessings” & “New Year Love”

I found it difficult to work on illustrations during 2020. Not while so many people were (and still are) suffering. I sewed masks and made greeting cards instead. The one illustration I did complete (“Counting Blessings”) shows what I tried to do all year long so as to remain hopeful: count all my blessings – all the things I’m grateful for. They’re many.

“Holiday Kindness”

My wish for the holiday season and the new year: a kinder world.

“Puerto Rican Coquí”

The coqui is a species of frog endemic to Puerto Rico. It’s also its national symbol. (https://theculturetrip.com/caribbean/puerto-rico/articles/heres-why-the-coqui-frog-is-the-symbol-of-puerto-rico/)

“Holly and Ivy”

“Maybe the desire to make something beautiful is the piece of God that is inside each of us.” From “Franz Marc’s Blue Horses” by Mary Oliver

“Poinsettia” & “Mistletoe”

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“Minino y Minina”

This is another illustration inspired by a bilingual children’s book I’m working on. Minino and Minina are the names of the cats in the picture.

“Flor de Flamboyán” & “Canaria”

Continuing the series of illustrations of flowers, birds, and tropical scenes from Puerto Rico. These are two more flowers commonly found on the island.