The German artist Dorothea Elisabeth Piper, also known under her artist name ELIA, has been living and working south of Berlin since 1980. Since 1956, she spent her childhood in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, an old historical city known for its rich traditions, and studied pedagogy in Potsdam. After another degree in accounting and controlling, and the birth of three wonderful children, she devoted herself completely to art. In 2002 she opened her workshop ELIA in Ludwigsfelde. She loves to share her passion for painting and teaching during classes in her own painting school, in her workshop, and as an independent painting tutor. She supports the Volkshochschule Teltow-Fläming and the Akademie 2. Lebenshälfte on a voluntary basis and practices art with seniors.