About PaintPal

Hi, I'm Elisa. I'm a mom, a maker of things for kids, and someone who thinks a lot about how children use technology.

I make things for kids

Before PaintPal, I was already creating for children. I'm a published children's book author and illustrator with several titles including 123 Like a Swede and Cars That Go: San Francisco. Making things that delight kids is kind of my thing.

I design products for a living

My professional background is in design and product. I've spent years figuring out how to make digital products simple and intuitive, which is why PaintPal works the way it does. If a four-year-old can't figure it out without help, it's not simple enough. That's the bar.

Psychology trained

I have a PsyD (doctorate in psychology), and my graduate research focused on teen self-esteem and social media use. That work planted the seed for what eventually became PaintPal: the conviction that screen time can either connect kids or isolate them, and that the difference matters. I wrote more about this in my founder story.

Built for my own family

PaintPal started because my kids loved drawing together at the kitchen table but struggled to connect with friends and family over video calls. I wanted to give them something to do together through a screen, not just stare at each other. They're now PaintPal's biggest fans (and toughest critics). I'd love for your family to try it too.