Ellysen grew up in the northwest part of Washington State. She calls Bellingham, Washington home although she moves around frequently to work seasonally, her previous experiences include working as an environmental educator at North Cascades Institute and working on a trail crew for the Forest Service. 

Ellysen seeks opportunities that allow her to spend an extended amount of time outdoors with the intention of developing intimate connections with the landscapes that inspire her work. She develops this relationship through observation of the ecosystem, learning about the flora, fauna, the geological processes that have shaped the landscape, cultural history, and how humans have historically and continue to manipulate the land.

Ellysen is a recent graduate from Western Washington University with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. Her studies in ecology, geology, biology, and natural history are extremely influential on her work as an artist. Her work continues to evolve as she continues learning beyond the classroom setting. 

Ellysen is passionate about using art as a tool to communicate science concepts to a broader audience. She is excited about the potential of using art as a teaching tool for students of all ages to both learn about and communicate knowledge about the natural sciences.