About Elva Hurst
Meet the Artist
Elva grew up in a large conservative Mennonite family in Ephrata, PA, where she attended a small “one-room” Amish and Mennonite school. Art was viewed as frivolous by many of those around her, but that did not keep Elva from etching scenes in between chores on the family dairy farm. When Elva was in 8th grade, her teacher noticed her artistic talent and encouraged her to continue pursuing her gift.
However, 8th grade was the highest level of education Elva’s parents and the school would allow. So, after finishing the 8th grade, she began to help out on her parents’ dairy farm. In her free time, she began to teach herself how to paint. Elva saved her pennies to purchase art books and spent hours watching other artists at work. Inspired by them, she followed their advice on becoming an artist.
Path to Becoming an Artist
Elva learned that there are three things you need to do to become a good artist:
- Practice
- Practice
- Practice
Elva took this advice seriously and made herself practice every day on whatever items she could find around the farm. This practice eventually became a full-time job that grew her and gave her opportunities that she could never have imagined.
Professional Growth
Elva is now married and has a family of her own. She and her husband, Ray, live on a small farm in Lititz, PA, where she now paints from her own kitchen table. This environment allows her to care for her farm and family.
Elva now has her own gallery & gift shop and travels to share her art with the world.
Recent Developments
As time went on, another form of painting became her primary focus: Chalk Talks. Elva draws on a large picture canvas, illustrating a story she presents with pre-recorded music and narration. She has developed numerous programs with historic, patriotic, inspirational, and holiday themes.
Her interest in Chalk Talks began when she and her husband moved to Tulsa, OK, and attended Bible school for two years. It was here that she started using this technique while teaching Sunday school classes. Word of her work quickly spread, and soon, she was asked to perform Chalk Talks for other groups & gatherings.
When people express amazement that an untrained artist with no formal education has had full-time work for more than twenty years, Elva responds by saying,
"I give all the credit to God. He opens the doors and makes the way."
Elva’s Chalk Talks were born out of her love for the arts and, indeed, a deep desire from within to share the same wonderful, good news of the Gospel that so radically changed her life and continues to bring purpose, excitement, and adventure into her life!
Elva is also an accomplished published author and musician. The Farm Life Series is a well-known children's book series that she wrote based on her childhood growing up as an Old Order Mennonite on the farm. She also has various other published works, including an autobiography titled My Story- It's Nothing Fancy Since I Grew Up Plain. Visit our store to check out her various published titles!
In recent years, Elva has also begun to write and publish original songs inspired by her rich life experiences. You can find her songs on all major music streaming platforms or by clicking here.
The History of The Barnyard Art Studio & Gallery
The Barnyard Art Studio & Gallery was founded in 2008 and is the "home base" of Elva's Chalk Art. Hosting tour groups and visitors from around the world, this unique and charming gift shop & gallery is outfitted with a theater where groups come to see the Chalk Talk Experience. The Barnyard Art Studio also hosts an annual Christmas Arts and Crafts show every November, where local artists are featured, and the community comes together for festive holiday celebrations.
Additional Resources
- To listen to a Podcast Interview with Elva, click here.
- To watch an interview about Elva and the Barnyard Art Studio, click here.
- To print out a promotional flyer about Elva, click here.
- To see a sample of a Chalk Talk, click here.
Let’s talk!
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