Eli McMullen's Surreal Forest Altars: Richmond Painter's Dreamlike Nightscapes

Eli McMullen, a painter and muralist from Richmond, Virginia, is known for his surreal nightscapes that combine realistic architecture with luminous geometric shapes and otherworldly light. His works, created using acrylic and gouache, portray forests illuminated by altar-like structures, absent of human figures yet hinting at previous inhabitance. McMullen refers to his creative approach as an "abstract shuffle of the elements," where he reimagines real aspects of his surroundings—architecture, light, and emotion—into fantastical landscapes. Much of his inspiration stems from cycling through Richmond's neighborhoods, capturing fleeting sunlight and serendipitous moments that transform into ethereal wilderness scenes. A 2015 graduate with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University, he also co-founded Endeavor Studios in Jackson Ward, which hosted various artistic events. His artwork has been featured in multiple venues, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and has been recognized in publications such as Hi-Fructose Magazine and The Washington Post.