Meet Elena Kaplan | Visual artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elena Kaplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elena, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?

One of my favorite quotes, attributed to Johann Wolfgang Goethe, is: “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
It sounds simple, but it holds profound truth. When you fully commit to your work or calling, unexpected forces come together to support and amplify your efforts. Things start to fall into place. The right people and opportunities will come your way, and with hard work, grit, and dedication, your vision will slowly but surely become a reality.

It’s often challenging for us—artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs—to keep believing in ourselves, to not get discouraged or give up. Many of us struggle with procrastination and resistance. This reminds me of another one of my favorite quotes by the sculptor Stephen De Staebler: “Artists don’t get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working.”

This quote describes the often agonizing nature of the creative process. It speaks to the inner conflict many artists face, between the struggle of starting a project and the frustration of not creating at all. The quote captures that tipping point when the need to express yourself artistically outweighs the discomfort or fear of working.

I have always been an artist, but calling myself one and pursuing it as a career has been a long and, at times, painful journey. There comes a point, however, when you decide, once and for all, to give it everything you’ve got and keep going, because you have no choice—no matter what the outcome is. That’s exactly when things start to happen.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love to paint the human form, especially faces. There’s something endlessly fascinating about trying to convey someone’s soul on the canvas. I particularly enjoy painting women—their faces carry a softness and beauty that evoke a wide range of emotions. I’m drawn to capturing that complexity, the elegance, and the subtlety in their expressions.

I love working with oil paint because it allows me to explore this beauty with richness, depth, and luminosity.
My style is grounded in realism. I focus on creating detailed, lifelike portrayals of my subjects, but I often incorporate abstract elements or components of nature to add intangible, enriching qualities.

I’m especially excited about an upcoming exhibit I have in Venice, Italy. Since I’m from the Netherlands, it will be wonderful to visit my family and attend the exhibit in the same trip. In fact, I’ll be taking my mom with me to Venice.

It has been a long journey to get to where I am today. In the past, I dabbled in painting, wanting to work as an artist but never fully committing. My children were younger then, so I had less time, but that wasn’t the main reason my dreams were on hold. It had much more to do with not believing in myself. Maybe I was afraid of not succeeding—if you don’t start, you can’t fail either, but you’re also left unfulfilled. Or perhaps I was afraid of actually succeeding, as the author Marianne Williamson put it so eloquently in her famous quote:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.”

That brings me to what ultimately led me to take my art seriously: my spirituality. I believe that if you have a God-given talent, you are supposed to use that gift.

But then, you have to get to work—inspiration plays only a small part. You have to put in long hours, sometimes late into the night, doing tedious work while trying to keep your spirits up when things don’t go the way you want them to. I often go through a stage where I hate my painting and I have to correct things and apply many more layers before I’m satisfied. By now, I’ve learned that this is part of the process, and I work through it.

Sometimes I get discouraged by how slow things seem to progress—literally, because it can take me many hours, sometimes weeks, to finish a painting. But then I look back and see how much I’ve accomplished in a year. A year offers a much broader perspective for recognizing significant progress compared to weeks or months. Keeping this in mind helps me stay motivated.

I’m definitely a late bloomer, and sometimes I wish I had started earlier, but I’ll never regret being a full-time mom to my two children. I was very fortunate to have that time with them, and nothing is more important to me. Now, I understand how time-consuming a career as an artist can be, and it makes sense why my earlier attempts, when my children were younger, never fully came to fruition. However, I’ve learned that it’s never too late to follow your passion!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Miami has a lot to offer, so it would be a busy week! I would take my friend to Wynwood to experience Miami’s vibrant art scene. We’d visit the Wynwood Walls, an outdoor museum featuring large-scale murals and street art by world-renowned artists. Then, we’d wander through the surrounding Arts District and visit some galleries. For a meal, we’d stop at Doya, a neighborhood gem with meze-style dishes from Turkey and Greece.

To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, we would drive to Key Biscayne, a peaceful retreat on a lush island. We could rent bikes, explore the beautiful nature trails, and unwind on the picture-perfect, pristine beach of Crandon Park.

I would take my friend to Coconut Grove, one of Miami’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods. It has a great laid-back vibe, perfect for strolling around. We’d then have cocktails at Level 6, a rooftop oasis with stunning views of Biscayne Bay. We would also visit the nearby Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a spectacular historic estate inspired by European architecture. The lavish opulence will take you back in time, and the gardens are breathtaking.

For (window) shopping, we’d visit Bal Harbour Shops, a beautiful outdoor shopping destination. It features designer boutiques and great restaurants in a lush, tropical garden setting with ponds. We’d finish the day with dinner at Makoto, which has some of the best sushi in town.

A trip to Miami wouldn’t be complete without a day on the water, so we’d spend a day boating, jet skiing, or paddleboarding to take in the city’s sights from the water. We’d also have to experience Miami’s Cuban culture in Little Havana, stroll down Calle Ocho, get a Cuban sandwich at the famous Versailles, and stop by Ball & Chain for live Cuban music and a mojito.

Lastly, to top off a perfect week, we’d catch a Miami Heat game if they’re in town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I want to dedicate my shoutout to the author Steven Pressfield, particularly his book The War of Art. It’s a staple in many artists’ book collections, serving as the ultimate guide and source of inspiration for creative souls.
I’ve read countless self-development books—some more helpful than others—but this one speaks directly to the inner conflict and self-sabotage that many artists experience. It focuses on resistance: the internal battles that keep us from pursuing our passions and fulfilling our potential. I’ve probably listened to the audiobook version more than ten times. Whenever I’m in a rut and my confidence is waning, I put it on. As a painter, I’m fortunate that I can do this while I work.

For me, it has been incredibly helpful in understanding and confronting my struggles with procrastination, fear, and self-doubt. Instead of viewing these challenges as signs of failure, I now recognize that resistance is a natural component of the creative process and an essential part of the path to success.

Also, a shoutout to my husband and children for supporting me on my journey and for understanding when I’m stuck in my studio for days on end.

Website: https://elenakaplanart.com

Instagram: @elenakaplanfineart