A Brazilian macrame artist shares the importance of family traditions, such as art forms, to lighten a burdened soul.
Elena Stowell is an award-winning author, former science teacher, and passionate Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. When she isn't crafting stories, she is designing mixed-media illustrations. In her workspace, she is surrounded by paper scraps, dried paint, glue sticks, and the occasional broken toothpick, all part of her creative process. "Working in collage puts me in my happy place," she says, "even if it's a little messy."Elena is the author of Flowing with the Go: A Jiu-Jitsu Journey of the Soul and the children's book Frango & Chicken, both stories aboutovercoming obstacles and finding hope despite adversity. Her latest children's book, The Knotting Tree, celebrates a Brazilian family'screative tradition. As co-founder of the Carly Stowell Foundation and director of the JamminBJJ Give the Gift of a Gi program, sheworks tirelessly to make sports and music accessible to people of all ages around the world. Through her volunteer efforts, Elena helpsbreak down barriers, ensuring that children and adults alike have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities.You can learn more about Elena and follow her work at www.elenastowell.com
