Hi, I’m Nelli!

I’m the face behind Happy Cloud Art Studio, and I believe you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy painting.

I’m completely self-taught, and I never planned on becoming an art teacher. In fact, I have a Master’s degree in Economics and Marketing — about as far from an art degree as you can get!

How painting found me

My painting journey started many years ago when I discovered Bob Ross. At the time, I had a baby at home, and after he went to sleep at night, I would turn on Bob Ross, pull out my paints, and paint along with him.

I absolutely fell in love with it. Painting became my time to relax, create, and do something just for myself.

So technically, I can say Bob Ross was my first art teacher.

🖌

Then something unexpected happened...

We were living in Japan at the time as a Marine Corps family, and I was having so much fun painting that some of my friends asked if I would host a paint night and teach them how to make a painting of their own.

I agreed — even though I had certainly never thought of myself as an art teacher.

They loved it and wanted to do it again. Then they told their friends. Before long, people I didn't even know from our Marine base were signing up for my paint nights.

And just like that, Happy Cloud began.

Our military life took us from Japan to Hawaii, California, and eventually North Carolina , and I continued teaching everywhere we went.

The part I love most

Along the way, I discovered that my favorite part wasn't actually the painting itself. It was watching someone who was convinced she wasn't artistic create something she was genuinely proud of.

There is something pretty special about believing in someone, guiding her through the process, and watching the moment when she starts believing in herself, too.

That's still my favorite part of what I do today.

You don’t need to consider yourself artistic.
You just need someone to show you where to start.

Life today

These days, my husband and I live in Swansboro, North Carolina, with our three kids. After years of military moves, we're very happy to call the North Carolina coast home.

I love the beach, flowers, wildlife, and being surrounded by nature — which is probably pretty obvious if you look through my paintings! You'll find lots of landscapes, ocean scenes, flowers, creatures, and little pieces of the world around me making their way onto my canvases.

Today, you can paint with me at an in-person workshop, join me regularly inside the Happy Cloud Creative Circle, or choose an individual online tutorial and paint with me from home.

Whichever way you join me, you don't need experience and you certainly don't need to consider yourself artistic.

Come paint with me

Let’s Create Together

Just pick up a brush and give yourself permission to try.

You might surprise yourself.

Less overthinking. More painting.