Recognition & Experience

Credentials

Fine Artist · Illustrator · Marine Corps Combat Artist

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Academy of Art University

Fine Art

2028

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University

Illustration

2012

Marine Corps Combat Artist

2017 – Present

United States Marine Corps

One of fewer than 360 active Combat Artists in the U.S. Marine Corps throughout history. Deployed to document Marine Corps operations through fine art for historical preservation. Works acquired by the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

Freelance Illustrator & Fine Artist

2013 – Present

Inkstickart

Commercial and private illustration and fine art works for clients including Netflix, toys for tots, The Smithsonian Channel, Pilot Pen, Michaels, and the Norman Rockwell Museum. Specialties include portraiture, military art, and digital illustration. Building the brand inkstickart to over 300k followers across all platforms and several million + views count videos.

Permanent Collection

National Museum of the Marine Corps

Triangle, VA

Works acquired as part of the official Marine Corps Art Collection.

Permanent Collection

Pentagon/Home of the Commandants

Washington, D.C.

Digital Portrait painting on display of the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Neller. The Commandant is the highest ranking Marine corps officer.

Video Exhibition and interview-2025

Norman Rockwell Museum

Stockbridge, MA

Featured illustrator in curated series called Drawing Life.

Group Exhibition - 2021, 2026

Salmagundi Club

New York, NY

Exhibited work for Journeys Onward, a Veterans exhibition at one of America's oldest and most prestigious fine arts clubs, founded in 1871.

Group Exhibition - 2024

The Citadel

Charleston, SC

Behind the Lines group exhibition showcasing works created on location while documenting life at the Citadel. Also involved was a public presentation on myself and my journey as an artist.

Marine Corps Colonel John W. Thomason Jr. Combat Artist of the year

The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation presents the annual Colonel John W. Thomason Jr. Award to honor excellence in visual arts that depict Marine Corps history, traditions, or life.

2024

Alma Mater Distinguished Alumni Award

Recognized as a Distinguished Alumni for Lesley University outstanding achievement and contributions to the field of fine art and illustration.

2021

Pilot Pen Featured Artist

Selected as a featured artist for a Pilot Pen social media collaboration.

Collaboration

Michaels Featured Artist

Selected as a featured artist for Michaels craft stores' national campaign.

National Campaign

Click to view work

NetflixToys for totsSmithsonian ChannelNorman Rockwell MuseumPilot PenMichaelsU.S. Marine CorpsNational Museum of the Marine CorpsU.S. Army Futures CommandVetTV

Podcasts

Captivate FM — Elize McKelvey Episode

Listen

Video & Interviews

Norman Rockwell Museum — Drawing Life: Elize McKelvey

Watch

Smithsonian Channel — Facebook Feature

Watch

Smithsonian Channel — Video Segment

Watch

Commandant's Portrait Painting — DVIDS

Watch