Ellie Goodliffe

Introduction

I am a self-taught contemporary artist and continuous improvement specialist with a background in microbiology, based in Wimborne, Dorset.

My artistic journey began during my teenage years, when creativity became an escape from a turbulent environment. I started by sketching elements of human anatomy and particularly enjoyed drawing eyes. As my confidence developed, I invested in better materials and continued refining my skills.

Art gradually moved into the background as I worked in pubs while studying at college. I later completed a degree in Biological Science and began working as a laboratory technician at a family-run brewery.

During my maternity leave in 2024, I rediscovered my passion for art. Creating helped me remain motivated while navigating motherhood for the first time. Two years later, that passion has not only remained but has grown considerably deeper.

Inspirations and Themes

My practice is rooted in Sci-Art and explores:

  • Microscopic and biological structures: Cellular patterns, histological tissue sections and environmental microbial cultures grown on agar plates.

  • Biometric data: Translating lived human experiences and physiological records into visual data artworks.

  • Mental-health landscapes: Exploring the visual relationship between psychological well-being and its deterioration, with a particular focus on depression, anxiety and melancholy.

Creative Process and Materials

My creative process combines structured technical concepts with fluid, organic execution. Working from my home studio, I use a range of materials and techniques to create texture, movement and depth:

  • Acrylics and mixed media: Used to build bold textures, forms and structural depth.

  • Alcohol inks: Chosen for their fluid and unpredictable qualities, which reflect natural cellular growth and liquid movement.

  • Data integration: Exact quantitative measurements, including time-series telemetry, are mapped into visual elements such as line paths, colour gradients and geometric topographies.

One work that holds profound personal meaning is Elwood’s Trace, a data-driven artwork visualising 12 hours of continuous heart-rate data recorded during the birth of my son. Using Fitbit measurements captured at five-minute intervals, the piece transforms rhythmic cardiac fluctuations into a visual landscape.

The artwork connects complex biometric data with an intensely personal memory, capturing the profound transition into motherhood through the lens of physiological tracking.

Current Projects and Future Exploration

I am currently preparing work for upcoming open calls and curated exhibitions while continuing to expand my collection of biological and data-inspired artworks.

Looking ahead, I plan to explore the relationship between environmental microbiology and visual storytelling more deeply. I am particularly interested in experimenting with complex organic textures and discovering new ways for raw scientific data to communicate human emotion.

Featured Artworks

  1. Elwood’s Trace, 2025 — Digital Data

  2. Histology x10, 2026 — Acrylic Pour on Canvas, 30 × 30 cm

  3. Histology x40, 2026 — Acrylic Pour on Canvas, 30 × 30 cm

  4. Lysis, 2026 — Acrylic and Alcohol Ink on Paper, A4

  5. Post Partum, 2026 — Acrylic on Paper, A3

Links

Instagram: @elliegoodliffe
Website: www.ellie-goodliffe-artists-portfolio.com