Being a painter was almost an inevitable choice for Ms. Freda who's parents, Helga and Fred Andkjar, both still paint daily in their studios. Her own studio overlooking the Beechwoods in Callicoon, NY, is integral to Elise’s process as it is from the window’s views that she draws her inspiration for the color, light and space within her paintings. The resulting paintings which are often compared to Asian calligraphic abstractions have been exhibited throughout the United States at such venues as the Delaware Arts Center and The Amarillo Museum of Art. Her other stylistic references would place her as a follower of Barnett Newman, Clyfford Stiles, Cy Twombly and Jiro Yoshihara. Her works are in the permanent collections of Coventry Paper, Canter Fitzgerald, and Champion Paper. Additionally, they have been published in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The BrooklynRail, The Boston Globe and the Times Herald-Record.