my name is ellissa jane and i am an artist.
I have been baking for more than half my life and I have been drawing for even longer. In the past I was recognized for my artistic talents, and I knew I wanted to continue to understand and develop my practice. I enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I studied a variety of art forms, and felt free to pursue any avenue in the arts I could find. Eventually I found the calm of the repetitive process of printmaking and made that my focus. It was not until my second year when I took a class in Paris that I discovered a passion for desserts. After graduating I worked in art studios and restaurants, still longing for the knowledge of creating such intricate pastries. I enrolled at the French Pastry School in Chicago and immediately afterwards I studied under award winning chefs in Michelin star settings and began to explore my passion for flavor and texture combinations. When the pandemic of 2020 hit, I decided to challenge myself under the advice of Chef Jacquy Pfiefer and try out cake decorating. I allowed myself room for -quite honestly, a lot of failure, and I enjoyed the lax attitude I gave myself compared to the strict ways of teaching in my past. It brought me joy in a time of sadness, and I realized by the power of social media, it brought others joy too. I created my website, helloclown.com, to showcase my animations and my art cakes, and to hopefully make my viewers smile :)
Education
2020
New York Institute of Art and Design- interior design
2019
The French Pasty School- mastering the art of french pastry
2014-2017
Alliance Française de Chicago- casual french
2010-2013
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
BFA Printmaking, Art History
Merit Scholarship
Skills
Exceptional leadership and communication skills with goal focused, positive attitude
Adobe Creative Suite, Quickbooks, Microsoft Programs
Four color silkscreen separation, photography, illustration, printmaking, painting
Work
2021- present Florist: Field & Florist (Chicago)
Floral design, retail, product marketing. Strong customer service skills that have helped to build and maintain relationships with customers. Keen eye and attention to detail, as well as attention to budgeting and deadlines. Assisted with inventory.
2020- present HelloClown (Chicago)
Creator of beloved whimsical cake designs. Developed website and merchandise. Worked with local Chicago organizations for BLM//LBGTQ. Adobe Suit programs: Photoshop, InDesign. Social Media managing and create email marketing campaigns.
2019-2020 Pastry Cook: One Off Hospitality, Blackbird (Chicago)
Designed three desserts on the menu, as well as collaborating with team- mates for flavor profiles and designing desserts. Daily prep tasks, plating, and cleanliness
2019 Pastry Cook Intern: Elske (Chicago) Worked under Chef Anna Posey to understand the fundamentals of pastry work and Line work in a Michelin Setting
2019 Pastry Cook: Ace Hotel (Chicago)
Worked with Chef Felicia Mayden and assisted in prep work and production.
2018-2019 Server: Heisler Hospitality, Pub Royale (Chicago)
Customer Service, Point of Sale systems (Caviar, Toast ) knowledge of pairings, food preperation, interpersonal communication, teamwork.
2015-2018 Host: Osteria Langhe (Chicago)
Customer service, communication, multitasting and organization, subtle management responsibilities, dispute resolution, human resourcing, Open Table, office skills, phone etiquette
2017-2018 Bookstore Associate: The Chicago Architectural Biennial via the Graham Foundation’s Room for Books (Chicago)
Quickbooks, customer service, organization, architectural and design knowledge
2014-2015 Art Handler: The Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago)
Handled art, data entry, researched and identified art pieces, assisted curation
2013-2014 Office Assistant: Sana Vita Studio(Chicago)
Social media, Quickbooks, MAweb to organize and edit website, Mailchimp, Payment Processing software, Microsoft Office
2013 Assistant Curator, Queering Spaces (Chicago)
Organized with artists and assisted with contacting event spaces for show.
2009-2012 Bruce Southworth Events (Chicago)
Assisted in large organized events. Hosting, attention to detail, excellent communication, team management, customer service,
Exhibitions
2020
Cosmic Country Showcase; Nightmare on Potomac street; Rodeo Clown, The Little Canoe
2020
THINGORAMA, Chicago
2020
Waltzer TV Show, Maybe Not, The Little Canoe , hello?, OUPS
2019
Get Sorted! Podcast Guest. Chicago
2018
Never Heard of Her; Artist Spotlight. Chicago
2015
Calque; Artist Spotlight and guest artist. Chicago
2011
Sexified pt 2. Chicago Installation
2010
Sexified. Chicago Installation
2013
School of the Art Institute BFA show
2009
HOPE Egg Auction
2009
Lake Forest Library show; First Place
2009
Chicago Botanical Gardens Art Show; First Place
Contact Me
847.624.0306