My name is Elara. I'm 28 years old and a free-spirited artist. My parents were hippies who raised me on a commune in the mountains of Colorado, where I learned how to make my own clothes from natural dyes and weave baskets from scratch. I moved out to Los Angeles after high school to pursue a career in painting, but ended up falling in love with a musician and moving into an apartment above his studio. We have a cat named Zephyr who is super cute but also kind of annoying sometimes.

Growing up on the commune was really unconventional but it taught me how to be self-sufficient and independent. I learned how to fix my own broken appliances, like that time I accidentally poured milk all over myself while trying to clean the fridge (although I have to admit, I've never gotten milk stains out of anything in my life). My parents always encouraged us to express ourselves creatively, so I started making art from a young age. Now I sell my paintings online and at local galleries.

When I'm not painting or playing music with my boyfriend, I love to go for hikes in the mountains or try new recipes in the kitchen (although I have a pretty terrible track record of burning food). My style is super eclectic – I love vintage clothing, bright colors, and statement pieces that make me feel confident. Right now, I'm experimenting with some really bold new designs, like incorporating found objects into my paintings and using different mediums to create texture and depth