Meet Ella Eckersley — a London-born artist, poet, and model whose work moves fluidly between paint, words, and self-expression. Whether she’s capturing the quiet emotion of a crowd on canvas or writing poetry that cuts straight to the heart, Ella’s creative voice is raw, reflective, and entirely her own.
Beyond her work in fashion, Ella is the co-founder of The Live-In Room, a poetry club that celebrates vulnerability and the power of words. In our conversation, she speaks candidly about growing up in London, how modelling has shaped her storytelling, and the emotional layers behind her upcoming art show. We also discuss her favourite places in the city, what’s on her playlist, and how she’s finding beauty in both togetherness and solitude.
1. Can you talk us through your journey as an artist?
Where did the passion begin, and what made you decide to pursue it alongside — or even beyond — your work as a model?
I’ve always loved art. My dad is an incredible artist — as a kid, we used to play that game where one of us scribbles and the other turns it into something. I guess that’s what all art is, really: finding something in a scribble. My mum would take us to all the amazing galleries, we’re lucky to have free in London, so there was always a strong presence of art in my life growing up.
When I was 16, I started travelling for work and got really into bringing paints with me — as many as I could shove into those little see-through airport bags, which always limited my colour palettes. Painting helped me stay present and ease the homesickness I really struggled with at the time. It helped me focus on the beauty of things, and tell the stories of the adventures I was having.
2. What role has modelling played in your creative story?
Has working in fashion shaped your eye or your sense of storytelling in your art?
Definitely. Modelling has allowed me to meet so many people, from so many walks of life, which sparked my fascination with crowds — something I often paint. I love doodling at airports and making up stories about everyone’s lives. Modelling opened up my world in ways I’m really grateful for. It’s also made me feel quite lonely at times, and that’s something I explore a lot in my paintings and poetry.
3. You move effortlessly between painting and poetry — two very different yet emotional forms of expression.
How do you approach creating a new piece? Do you start with words, images, or a feeling?
It really depends. I often start a painting with a video — if I’ve been moved by a moment, I like to capture it so I can go back later and choose my favourite frame to paint from. If something moves me enough to paint it, I’ll usually want to write about it too. And vice versa. Writing often starts when I’m alone and just flowing — then you stumble across lines or phrases that become a poem. The plane is great for that, apparently you get more emotional up there — ideal!
4. What was it like growing up in London?
My parents made a huge effort to take me and my brother to see and experience inspiring things. I remember being really young when my mum took us to Somerset House — Quentin Blake, the illustrator, was there doing a little lesson. Having access to things like that from such a young age really shapes what you believe you can do.
Now that I’m older, I appreciate growing up here even more. There’s a core sense of home in London, where so many amazing things happen and so many inspiring, like-minded, wonderful people cross paths. Living away has shown me just how rare that combination is.
5. You co-founded The Live-In Room — a poetry club that brings people together for raw, intimate performances.
When I lived in New York, I went to an open mic poetry night every Monday with a group of poets and writers I had met. It was incredible. I’d never experienced poetry that way — so direct, like it’s flowing straight from someone’s brain to yours. I started writing then. I think once you’re exposed to it, everyone can find their own preferred way of writing to unpack their feelings.
That experience inspired me to create a space in London where people could be encouraged to start writing too — as a way of understanding themselves better. So I did!
6. Onto fashion — what’s your go-to outfit right now, and are there any designers, brands, or pieces you’re especially into at the moment?
I’m truly loving my Levi’s dungarees at the moment — in fact, I’m struggling to wear anything else. That, and my Dico Copenhagen boots, which never miss. I love Toteme and Sézane. Paul Smith recently gave me a bag I adore — I really love the artistic approach of the brand, especially their shop displays.
7. Can you share a poem (or a line) that’s stuck with you — either your own or someone else’s?
Oooo yes! A friend of mine, Sami (@bishwaya on Instagram!), wrote an incredible poem and performed it at The Live-In Room recently. It really stuck with me — I think about it whenever I feel a bit anxious. Here’s a snippet:
“I thought thoughts were fortuitous and formed inhibitions
Causing war in my system
And forced an imprisonment
An undercurrent of fear led to torment and bitterness
But I guess the one thing I never really considered is —
what if it’s all going to be okay?”
And a poem I wrote the other day, on the theme of a collection I’m working on:
Could the sun be lonely,
Though nothing’s ever been close?
No friends coming for dinner,
Or letters that come in the post…
And what you don’t know
Can’t hurt you —
Many believe to be true.
But there’s a loneliness grown within,
There despite where or who…
So I wonder if it’s there in the sun,
This conflict born of the mind —
Isolating all of her rays,
Till understanding within she finds.
8. Top 3 songs?
Hmm… are we talking of all time? That’s hard — I can’t make those kinds of decisions! But I can tell you:
My funeral song (dark, I know) would be “Desperado” by The Eagles".
If I need uplifting, it’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by George Michael and Elton John.
And if I need to hype myself up before a casting or something, it’s “Mama’s Eyes” by METTE.
9. What’s next for you?
We heard you’re working on a new exhibition — what can you tell us about it, and what else are you dreaming up?
Yessss I am — finally. It’s all based around the things that bring people together, and the loneliness that can creep in even when you’re surrounded by people. I’m hoping to host a few events in the space that can challenge that loneliness by creating shared focuses and encouraging open conversation.
I’m also dreaming of having a poetry column — maybe saying this here will help with the manifestation. I’d love to publish amazing writing from poets I know and those I haven’t met yet, and share them with a wider audience — especially non-writers who might catch the bug and begin to write.
