Elaine S. Wilson lives and works in Washington DC.
She received her BFA in painting from Washington University in St. Louis in 1980 and her MFA in painting from Yale University in 1983. She has taught at University of Michigan School of Art and Design, and Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, MI. Her work is in the collections of Grand Rapids Art Museum, University of Michigan Libraries and Office of the President, Herman Miller Inc, Cigna Corporation, Library of Congress as well as numerous private collections.

She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Regional Artist Grant, and an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant.

She is represented by Tamarack Gallery in Omena, MI.