Sharing the Joy
Some artists discover their calling. Estelle was simply born with it, self-described as “a painter's soul wrapped in the salt air of coastal New England.” Her earliest memory? The smell of crayons and tempera paint in the fully stocked art room at Dover Catholic kindergarten, where open-ended supplies sparked something deeper than play. "Those moments were the first hints that art wasn't just a hobby — it was where I felt most at home," she recalls.
Growing up surrounded by mountains, ocean views, and brilliant fall foliage shaped Estelle's artistic eye early. She spent two-week summer stretches at Pine Knoll Campground, fishing on the lake with her dad and swimming until sunset. "Those moments taught me to see every scene as something special and not to take the landscape for granted," she says, a perspective that still guides her brush today.
Fast forward to now, and Estelle has traded New England's moodier tones for the endless sunshine of Freeport, Florida, where she creates from her own 1,800-square-foot haven: Estelle Studio and Gallery, which opened in 2021 as the realization of a lifelong dream. It's more than a workspace — it's a gathering place where she exhibits her work, hosts collectors, and teaches art techniques to students who feed her creative energy as much as she inspires theirs. "The exchange is completely mutual," she says with a smile.
The move south completely transformed her palette. Florida introduced an entirely new world of light and color … turquoise water, lush greens, and that particular brand of sun-soaked vibrancy that can't be replicated. Her work has become bolder, brighter, and more playful, reflecting the warmth and energy of coastal life. And nowhere is that more evident than in her citrus pieces, which have become especially beloved among collectors.
For Estelle, oranges aren't just a subject, they're a love letter to Florida itself. "There's something so joyful and sun-soaked about them," she explains. While she doesn't point to one specific memory, the overall symbolism resonates deeply: sunshine, warmth, and everyday vibrancy. "They remind me of the color, energy, and freshness that surround me here, and that feeling naturally finds its way into my work." Artistically, citrus allows her to play with vibrant color and light in ways that capture the spirit of the place she now calls home.
Her signature style, bold color paired with expressive brushwork, developed organically over time. "It wasn't a calculated decision — it was more an honest unfolding of how I see and feel the world," she notes, adding “I’ve always been drawn to vibrant palettes, and as I grew more confident as an artist, I started leaning into that instinct more boldly. The texture and movement in my brushwork came from experimenting, letting myself play, and trusting my emotions to guide the strokes.”
Every painting begins the same way: with color. A palette catches her attention first, setting the emotion and guiding everything that follows. From there, she blends real moments with imagination, adding her own sense of whimsy to explore the "what if." And the result is art that collectors describe as uplifting, soulful, and transportive. Whether she's painting whimsical villas, blooming oceanscapes, or vibrant fish adorned with florals, Estelle balances playfulness with coastal elegance through thoughtful composition and refined details. "That blend of spontaneity and intention is what gives my pieces their coastal charm without losing their artistic depth," she says.
Her work has found homes in luxury beach estates, boutique hotels, and galleries throughout the Southeast, while her licensed artwork reaches an even broader audience through retailers like HomeGoods, Target, and Amazon. Seeing her paintings in such diverse environments feels incredibly rewarding. "No matter where it hangs, my hope is always the same: that someone looks up at the wall and smiles."
When someone stands before her work for the first time, she hopes they feel pulled into a moment that's joyful, uplifting, maybe even magical — "like a breath of fresh air." Looking ahead, Estelle is excited to explore mixed media and collage, layering oil sticks and new textures into her acrylic work, while melding her folk art roots with her current whimsical style.
But above all, she's simply grateful. "I feel incredibly grateful to wake up every day and create," she says. "Sharing that joy — with collectors, students, and my community — means everything to me." Sometimes we can all use a little more sunshine, and Estelle's art is certainly a ray of light for all of us to enjoy.
Visit www.estellegrengsart.com to take a closer look at Estelle Grengs art, classes, and upcoming events.