Creative Work

Forest Meadow

Ella Bierly

Acrylic

Forest Meadow is the centerpiece of my capstone project. It depicts a golden hour landscape filled with flowers and a variety of critters including a fox, a bird, a rabbit, a squirrel, and a deer. This piece was made to be immersive and exist as a realistic reflection of environments many of us see every day rather than a specific location. The intention is to promote deep looking into the art to find all the details and critters, acting as a reflection of how we should practice looking at our environments every day to find peace and joy through observation. 

Birds In Flight

Ella Bierly

Acrylic

Birds in Flight depicts my favorite place on campus to feel at peace, at the steps between the Cambridge and Centerville dorms where hundreds of birds hide unseen but can be heard chirping within the bushes. This painting was made to embody the feeling of watching these birds in flight and the flurry of joy they create. The intention of this painting is to inspire people to listen to the natural world around them so they may find all of its hidden wonders. 

Little Blue Flower

Ella Bierly

Acrylic

The flower that inspired this painting was found at Longwood Gardens. It was chosen as the subject of this painting because of its quiet vibrancy and feelings of peace it brought about, likely influenced by the pale blue-purple colorings which have been scientifically proven to have a calming effect on the mind. Little Blue Flower demonstrates how even the smallest or simplest flower could have a large impact on mental health and peace of mind. The painting invites others to look for even the smallest of flowers, as no matter their size, they will always uplift you. 

Winter Flowers

Ella Bierly

Watercolors

Winter Flowers was painted from a flower bush found outside South Campus Dining during the 2025 fall semester’s finals week in the dead of winter. These flowers brought me inspiration and joy, helping me through my exams because if such beautiful flowers can bloom and persevere in such cold and difficult times, then so could I. This piece aims to help people find perseverance and hope in cold, dark times, because even when the world isn’t brimming with sunshine and flowers, there will always be something that thrives and survives. 

The Great Smokey Mountains

Ella Bierly

Watercolors

The Great Smoky Mountains watercolor painting was painted in person at the top of a mountain overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. This piece represents the ideals of this project as it was painted live and prompted from genuine inspiration and awe at the world. The act of creating this piece brought peace and fulfilment at being able to accurately represent the grandness of the world in a way that photos couldn’t capture. 

Changing Seasons at Mckeldin Mall

Ella Bierly

Watercolors

Changing Seasons at McKeldin Mall shares the vibrant colors that surround us on campus year-round. Specifically, the photo this painting was referenced from was taken in the fall 2025 semester from the left side of McKeldin Mall, the heart of our campus. It shares our school pride and the beauty in the changing colors weaving themselves together across the environment. This painting aims to ignite spirit and pride in our campus and invites others to cherish its many colors.