Lessons from Local Leaders:

Elaine Nunnally

Celebrating Creativity and Connection: A Conversation with Artist Elaine Nunnally

From watercolor landscapes to children’s book illustrations, Elaine Whaley Nunnally’s artistic journey is a testament to lifelong passion and the power of sharing creativity with others. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Elaine to learn about her life as an artist, educator, and vibrant member of the Loudoun County art community.

An Early Calling to Create

Elaine has always known she was meant to be an artist. Though she’s the only one in her family who pursued art professionally, creativity ran in her lineage—her great-grandfather was a well-known artist for the Lutheran church, and her grandmother painted porcelain pieces. Even as a child, Elaine was constantly drawing.

While conventional wisdom warned her that art wasn’t a practical career, she followed her instincts and switched her college major from home economics to art. That leap of faith laid the foundation for a lifetime spent exploring, teaching, and celebrating creative expression.

Four Decades in the Classroom

Elaine went on to teach art in Loudoun County’s public schools for 40 years, working with middle and high school students—and eventually adults, too. She believes every child has the capacity to create and that art can help young people discover their own resilience and self-worth.

“I looked forward to going to school every day,” she shared. “Art is something everyone wants to explore. You can do something and think, I did that. For kids who may not have that feeling elsewhere in their lives, that’s huge.”

Even after retiring, Elaine continued teaching adult watercolor classes, helping countless people rediscover their creative spark.

The Beauty of Ordinary Moments

Elaine is perhaps best known for her Interstate Series, watercolor paintings inspired by everyday drives along I-81 in Virginia. What began as a simple observation—how the shapes of bridges, hills, and road signs formed natural compositions—became an acclaimed body of work that earned her signature membership in the American Watercolor Society.

“I want people to see things differently,” she explained. “You’re looking at art every time you get behind the wheel.”

Her work transforms the mundane into something extraordinary, encouraging viewers to slow down and find beauty in overlooked places.

Embracing Watercolor and New Adventures

Though she taught a variety of media, Elaine didn’t fall in love with watercolor until she tried it in a JMU summer workshop. “I just couldn’t believe it. I was painting everything,” she laughed. Since then, she’s become an advocate for the medium’s vibrancy, unpredictability, and immediacy.

Elaine also brought her painterly style to the pages of Hurry, Scurry, But Do Not Worry, a children’s book she illustrated for her friend Carol Smith Hathaway. The process was equal parts research and joy—she even once stopped a bishop at church to sketch his ceremonial hat.

A Legacy of Possibility

Whether she’s painting, teaching, or mentoring, Elaine leads with optimism. She believes everyone can create something meaningful, no matter their background or perceived limitations.

“Everything has a possibility,” she said. “Do it anyway.”

It’s a philosophy that has inspired generations of students and fellow artists to embrace curiosity, take risks, and see the world through an artistic lens.

Thank you, Elaine, for reminding us that art is everywhere—and that it’s never too late to pick up a brush.

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