Eli Frantzen van Beuren was born in Norway in 1958 and was raised in Sweden by Russian and Scandinavian parents. "I always knew I was an artist, although I was not quite sure what it meant. I feel gifted rather than talented... in fact I feel sort of innocent about the whole process. It is more like something moves through me and I am merely the vessel that brings it forth." "It took me years to come to that understanding. I never sketch or really rarely know what will come out". "It is a mystery of sorts to me. My forte is colors and I developed my own style early on.
I am not sure what to call it. Eclectic, naive, folkloric, lyrical are some words that have been used to describe my work. You decide for yourself".

"It is not so much what I do, but what you see."

Eli has painted and showed professionally since she was 17. She paints small paintings on paper and huge murals in public places including schools, universities, restaurants and private residences. Her media is mixed. It ranges from gouache, water colors, acrylics, to oil and computer generated images. Her work includes commercial art such as illustrations, album covers,
advertising and the like. Eli has collectors world wide.

Eli has made her home in Charlottesville, Virginia since 1987 where she lives with her two sons, five dogs and one husband.