My name is Ella Jaksha. My mom gave me the middle name Tigerlily, so I use it as a nom de plume. I am from Omaha, NE, but I am currently a freshman majoring in Art at the University of Oregon. I have been drawing and painting since I was little, and I plan on pursuing a Master’s in Fine Arts.

I draw inspiration from the beautiful people and places in my life, literature, and the colors, patterns, and forms I saw while I shadowed zookeepers at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. I hope to combine my passions for conservation and art in the future. Many of my most recent pieces are self-portraits that explore my experiences with anxiety and depression.

All the works on this site are from the past 4 years. I illustrate for Align Magazine at the U of O. My work has been exhibited at the Audubon Society of Omaha Student Art Contest, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, Kent Bellows end of Semester Exhibitions, the Inaugural Art Porch at Porch Fest Omaha, Hot Shops Art Center, Roberta and Bob Rogers Gallery, and Rhode Island School of Design Pre-College Exhibitions. I have been nominated for Best Youth Visual Artist at the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards, and my pieces have been recipients of Gold and Silver Keys at the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and Best in Show for the Audubon Society Student Art Contest.