Elaine Lao

Elaine and her work with a mural by Lauren YS in Long Beach

Elaine Lao is an emerging artist and metalsmith from Long Beach, California. She grew up exploring traditional art, such as music; drawing; and painting, and later pursued digital art and animation in high school. She attended Long Beach City College where she received her Associate in Arts and a certificate in Digital Media: Multimedia Interaction & Game Design. During the pandemic, she stumbled upon the Jewelry and Metalsmithing program at LBCC and has since found her passion. She eventually acquired an Associate for Transfer in Studio Arts and a Jewelry Entrepreneurship certificate. Currently, she is attending California State University Long Beach to further pursue Metals and Jewelry.

It is difficult for me to specify the overall inspiration for my work because inspiration comes to me within the moment. I find topics and explore what they mean to me as I go about the process of creating something that satisfies the artistic itch in my brain. I have found inspiration in many areas such as nature, history, modern media, and even through experiences in my day-to-day existence. While not having a specific focus has always brought me some agony, the variety allows me to continue learning new things and expand my repertoire. Until I “find my voice”, I will continue to learn and explore different subjects.

You can find me here: