Ele, in case you're wondering, is not my actual name - it's Elinor. Ele is how my older brother and sister spelled it when we were little (and very bad at spelling). You can pronounce it to rhyme with belly or bell, I don't mind at all.
We grew up in the Wiltshire town of Chippenham with our parents and our much-loved cat, George, George actually got me into drawing as he made such perfect poses and liked to lie in them for hours at a time. Following A-Levels in Art and English Literature, I au-paired in Italy and then went on to take an Art Foundation course, followed by a degree in Visual Communication at Birmingham. I also completed a PGCE in Primary Teaching - which confirmed to me the brilliance of children.
After settling in Bath, I began exhibiting my ink and mixed media paintings, preferring to use newspapers, zips, buttons – things most sensible people throw into the recycling. I also started to write in earnest when I had an idea for a children's novel. Writing very rapidly became an addiction. I graduated from the excellent Golden Egg Academy after completing that novel, and have continued taking many writing and drawing classes, never tiring of learning new skills and approaches. Sometimes something clicks, like when I was ten and my story about George the cat won a local writing competition, and when my short story, The Ghost Boy, won the Bath Short Story Award in 2014.
When I’m not reading or watching Korean dramas or wading through collage bits and printouts of stories, I hang out with my husband, our three children and five cats – yes, five who all like to spend hours posing too – in one creatively chaotic house.
We grew up in the Wiltshire town of Chippenham with our parents and our much-loved cat, George, George actually got me into drawing as he made such perfect poses and liked to lie in them for hours at a time. Following A-Levels in Art and English Literature, I au-paired in Italy and then went on to take an Art Foundation course, followed by a degree in Visual Communication at Birmingham. I also completed a PGCE in Primary Teaching - which confirmed to me the brilliance of children.
After settling in Bath, I began exhibiting my ink and mixed media paintings, preferring to use newspapers, zips, buttons – things most sensible people throw into the recycling. I also started to write in earnest when I had an idea for a children's novel. Writing very rapidly became an addiction. I graduated from the excellent Golden Egg Academy after completing that novel, and have continued taking many writing and drawing classes, never tiring of learning new skills and approaches. Sometimes something clicks, like when I was ten and my story about George the cat won a local writing competition, and when my short story, The Ghost Boy, won the Bath Short Story Award in 2014.
When I’m not reading or watching Korean dramas or wading through collage bits and printouts of stories, I hang out with my husband, our three children and five cats – yes, five who all like to spend hours posing too – in one creatively chaotic house.
Photo of me taken by my son, Bertie Nash; 2021
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George, painted when I was twelve.
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My mum, Sally Jefferies, my brother, Tom Jefferies, and my son, Bertie Nash, are all established artists too. You can see their work by following these links.
"You have to be your own best friend. That's important. As well as your own worst enemy."
Amy Winehouse
