Elena Hiatt Houlihan

Elena Houlihan is a versatile writer, photographer, and traveler who has been pursuing her love of art and life for over thirty years. With a background in language and literature, she has studied at the University of Indianapolis and DePauw University. Her mixed-media sculpture and photography have been exhibited in regional and national shows, and she has worked with metalsmiths to create large-scale sculptures for shopping malls across the United States.

In 2009, Elena sold her house and studio to embark on a nomadic lifestyle, traveling across the US and Mexico in pursuit of inspiration for her art. She currently edits stories of people who are doing what they love without getting a Real Job for her book, An Unrealistic Life.

In addition to her art and writing, Elena designs and publishes a sporadic travel newsletter called The Wandering Muse: Updates on an Unrealistic life. She was also a former Creativity Consultant at Moving Images and Artist in Residence at Pennsylvania Arts Council/Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

Through her unique experiences, Elena brings a fresh perspective to her work as a writer and photographer, drawing inspiration from the people and places she encounters on her travels.