BIOGRAPHY

Thank you for being here.

 

My name is Elena Vaughan, also known as E Vaughan D.

 

I began painting as a form of therapy after college, and it filled me with an almost wild sense of joy. At the time, I was unknowingly processing deep emotional instability, and painting became an incredible outlet—one that helped me feel truly present in myself, something I had struggled with before.

 

Like all artists, my journey began long before I picked up a paintbrush. I had always been drawn to the physical arts—playing musical instruments, dancing, and theater. In high school, I developed a passion for digital video recording and editing, which led me to a liberal arts education at Sewanee, TN. A liberal arts degree isn’t like a marketing degree—it’s a total immersion into creativity, a dynamic, transformative experience.

 

Watching a liberal arts graduate carve their own path in life is like witnessing a caterpillar become a butterfly.

 

Truly transformative.

​

After graduating, I entered the medical field because, well—what do you actually do with a history degree?! More importantly, I saw an incredible need for caregivers, nurses, and medical providers. I’ve always wanted to help people, and I don’t shy away from the raw, messy parts of life. I pursued a second undergraduate degree in nursing, but after three attempts at Statistics (yes, really!), I pivoted to medical sales in Ophthalmology. I fell in love with it. I loved being in surgery, helping doctors find the best tools to restore sight to their patients.

 

Sight has always fascinated me. Coming from two generations of Ophthalmologist, it only seemed natural to be called to Eyes and vision.  It always blew my mind that the way we perceive color is unique to each of us. My green isn’t your green. We all experience the world through our own lens.

 

Which brings me back to painting—my tool for expression, my outlet for growth, and my journey toward self-awareness. I’ve spent endless hours teaching myself to slow down, to be present, to let emotions flow through me rather than become barriers to my growth. My art is the catalyst for this. It forces me to be patient (because you can’t erase resin). Sure, you can work over it, but that layer is always there—forever a part of the piece. When I look at art, I don’t just see the finished work; I see the entire process. I see the emotions, the evolution, the story embedded in every layer. Growth as an artist requires embracing change—both as boundless and as necessary.

​

From Painter to Lifestyle Artist:

​

This venture emerged from the ashes of being a traditional painter. How do I make my art more accessible? I had to rethink the way it was displayed. Enter: Lifestyle Art. My goal is to bring my artwork into everyday life in a way that resonates with you. An E Vaughan D piece is an experience—something that stirs the soul. Each print comes from a unique emotional space, and no two are ever the same. The art you choose from my collections becomes just as much a part of the story as the moment I painted it.

 

Thank you for being part of my journey. Your appreciation of my work is a reflection of my passion.

—E