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Illustration

I have craved stories and beautiful images since I was a 5-6 yo girl. I did not have many illustrated books at my disposal back in the '90s post-communist Romania, but my imaginative mind started dreaming up fairytales and illustrating them on scraps of paper stitched together. Many years have passed and my love and fascination for illustrated stories is still as strong as it was then, and in the work that I do now, as a professional illustrator, I always put a bit of that childlike wonder.

Selection of Work

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Selection of Illustrated Books

"The Last Train Carriage"

​A collection of Christian stories for children and young adults, taking place in the '70s-'90s Romania. There is a blend of soft warm feelings and old world nostalgia all throughout the book, and reading the stories feels almost like watching a movie.​

Children's book cover
little boy hugging his puppy

"A Puppy's Tale"

A heartwarming story for dog lovers of all ages.
Written by American actor, Grant Merritt, and inspired by his own childhood and the beautiful friendship he shared with his beloved pup, Achilles.

„Dragostea naște dragoste”/
"Love Begets Love"

A Romanian children's book written by Brândușa Vrânceanu, that captures the reader into a world of light, beauty, splendid worlds and dreamlike serenity. An orphan little princess learns the value of empathy and true friendships from an unexpected encounter.

illustrated book cover illustration of two princesses and royal servants
Romanian medieval kings Vlad the Impaler, Stephan the Great and Matei Corvin

„Poveste despre dragul voievod”/
"A Story about the Beloved King"

Written by Vasile Lupașc, this book tells the true story of Vlad the Impaler, aka Vlad Dracula, adapyed for young readers. The most famous Romanian medieval ruler is depicted as the true hero that he was, a symbol of courage, integrity and intelligence.

"Disposable People"

What would it be like to have your memories taken away from you? "Disposable people" is full-colour graphic novel that I wrote and illustrated, which delves into the depths of the human mind and ponders on the meaning of suffering and the value of human life. 
 

old man in wheelchair sitting among ruins in bombed London
bullied girl goes back to her school as an adult woman

"A Story of Hope for the Bullied"

The first graphic novel that I wrote and illustrated, inspired by the famous case of Amanda Todd.

After experiencing bullying in school, a young girl fights to overcome the psychological trauma it caused her. We follow her journey from her school days up to when she's an adult woman living a full life and returning to help other children who are going through bullying.

„Vă așteptăm de o mie de ani!” / "We have been waiting for you for one thousand years!"

A short comic-strip I created in 2018, to celebrate the centenary of the Great Unification of Romania. It depicts the moment when the delegation of Transylvania arrives in Bucharest to present to the King the Act of Union.

Historical comic strip about Transylvania

© 2025 Elena Ciolacu. All rights reserved. No image or information on this website may be used or reproduced without written permission from the copyright holder. 

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