Eli’s comics are known for capturing relatable moments from everyday life. We asked her what inspires the specific scenarios and challenges she chooses to depict in her work. "It may sound banal but my inspiration comes from my actual everyday life," the artist shared. "When I live an emotion or situation I think to myself: 'I have to make a comic about it' and it’s fun when you find out that many people share your struggles or thoughts."
With over 11,900 followers, it’s clear that many people connect with Eli's humor. But how does the artist balance creating content that is both funny and realistic while staying true to her personal experiences? "I’ve always put authenticity first," Eli told us. "I try to do it in every aspect of my life. In fact, I’ve lost thousands of followers since Instagram became more reels-centered and since I started posting less frequently because of my new full-time job. So I draw what I want, and what I need (cause putting my thoughts on paper helps my mental health a lot) and if it resonates with others I’m nothing but grateful. But I’m never going to draw something I don’t feel mine just because it might get me followers or money."
Eli draws from her own experiences and emotions, and as a 31-year-old woman, many of the challenges she faces are ones that resonate with other women as well. "Cause I guess we’re all less unique than we think, lol. But I don’t have a female audience in mind when I draw, maybe because my ultimate mission is to dispel the stigma that comes with mental diseases, which are blind when it comes to sex or gender."
Self-care and finding small joys are key themes in Eli’s artwork. Having struggled with depression and societal pressures for much of her life, she now aims to offer support and encouragement through her art. "This help might come from a funny joke, a pun, a sweet story, a cynical joke, or even a deep, serious message I sometimes feel the need to share too. It’s so fulfilling when people tell me that I made their day or that I helped them overcome a bad episode."
"Unfortunately I’m no longer 20 y.o. but I think that one of the reasons I’m perceived as 'inspirational' by some of my followers or friends is actually the fact that I started posting comics online when I was already 'old', when everyone my age had their lives together, while I completely upturned my life leaving university before getting my master degree, moving to France, learning a new language and starting anew, trying to follow my dreams," Eli explained. "And now, about 4 years later, I’m back in Italy and I got a 'normal' job to keep up with the expenses cause my 'artistic life' wasn’t paying enough. But still, I’m not giving up on my dreams, still, I draw and I share and I hope my followers won’t ever feel bad for not having a linear journey in their life or for not being 'there' yet.
In fact, my page evolved when I stopped being afraid of people not liking my comics. My first posts are all DTIYS challenges I joined for fun and to get used to drawing with a tablet. When I stopped trying to have a 'style', to be like this or that and started being my true self, my page grew with me."
