Well, maybe not all about Eli, but here are some highlights...

Eli's work can best be defined as "surreal realism". Eli's loose style, his symphony of colors, and unique brush strokes are complemented by the music he listens to when he paints. His medium is acrylic, watercolor, and pasel. He uses hand made cotton paper and canvas as his substrates.

Born Eli Joel Rodriguez Jr. in San Antonio - 1965, Eli's love of nature began when he was very young. He was fascinated by the Texas storms and the shapes and colors of the thunderheads. At age 8, he gladly took the responsibility of creating vibrant landscaping designs in his mother's yard. "I made the yard look like a busy artist's pallette. As long as it had color, I would plant it!"

Eli has a strong passion for the beauty and majesty in nature. He has spent many years in places such as the mountains of Santa Fe, the Colorado Rockies, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. His work evolves from his imagination ...composed of the many glorious places he has lived and visited. The barren tree and the mountains, "ancient and all-knowing", are significant themes in most all of Eli's work. Witness to several human lifetimes of history, they represent strength and majesty, having their own personalities in their shape, scars, wrinkles, size, and curvatures. The "barren tree" brings the ancient perspective of his compositions to light. Although he views leafed trees as wonderfully awesome as well, and paints leaves on some of his trees, he prefers to paint the tree as one that has completed lifetimes of living. Trees are one of nature's natural monuments of historical relevance next to our grand mountains. "The mountains and hillsides are where we have found the majority of our historical past. It is here where we find layers and layers of exposed earth filled with skeletons of once-living life forms from millions of years ago. You can call it a portal to the past", Eli says.

According to some collectors, Eli's skies are the highlight of his work. One viewer remarks: "At first, I thought your skies were so surreal, but during a trip through New Mexico and Colorado I noticed the sunsets and the sunrises looked very much like yours!"

Eli uses heavy cold press cotton paper as his main substrate but ventures into canvas substrates every now and then. He uses the highest quality watercolors pastels and acrylics along with distilled water, which maintains the dense pigmentation. His surprising use of deep, vibrant, and energized hues in watercolor give his landscapes their breathtaking quality. Once a painting is completed and signed, Eli places a UV resistant coating to further preserve the colors and integrity of the painting. He signs each painting with his first name only. On the back he names the piece and signs his full name, Eli J. Rodriguez Jr.

Eli paints full time and continues to receive accolades of praise and compliments on his painting. Each day that goes by, he becomes more popular in the art collector's world. He has been highlighted in news publications such as the Dallas Morning New and the front page of The Star Telegram. Magazines such as Valiente Fashion Magazine, ArtAffairs magazine, ASW Art Supply Magazine, The Dallas Advocate Magazine etc, have also highlighted Eli and his work. In 2001, Eli was honored by a request from the 2001 Presidential Inaugural Committee for him to paint a painting for President Bush and Vice President Cheney. These paintings were presented at the Inuagural Gala in Washington DC. He was called back to the White House by the committee to present yet another painting to Chief Council Al Gonzales. Cheverolet recently chose Eli as one of 25 artists selected nationwide to paint the new Chevy SSR within one of his landscapes. His painting was highlighted in Orlando Florida along with one of the first built SSRs. For more information on these events in Eli's career click here!

"I'm finally where I need to be," says the once fulltime Office Manager/bookkeeper. "....sharing with the world the blessing bestowed on us all...the beauty of nature."

Numerous works by Eli are in private collections around the World. You can view Eli's paintings at 'Gallery G Fine Art' in Alexandria, VA, 'Redwing Fine Art Gallery' in Yarmouthport, MA and 'Purple Parrot Gallery' in S. Padre Island, TX. Eli has recently opened his signature gallery at the "Historical West End Market Place" in downtown Dallas. Having Eli's Gallery at the West End Market Place has put an excitment in the air in Dallas. If you're in the area - please visit us at our new gallery. As the saying goes - SEEING IS BELIEVING!!!

Should you find yourself connecting with any of the pieces in the gallery...if they whisper to you...listen very carefully! Eli's paintings are messengers of Peace, Spirit and the Majesty of nature all around us. To reserve your Eli original, email eli@elisgallery.com. Eli can also be reached at 812-276-6684 . Enjoy!

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