Always drawn to light, emotion and detail, the realistic portrait is one of the primary focuses of Moira's work. The spontaneity, luminosity and challenge of watercolours makes this her primary medium. Moira is often struck by the way light travels across the water, or the natural design of a tangle of weeds through the cedar swamp, or sun shining through the tall cedars, poplars, maples and oaks in her surroundings.

Her artistic journey began in 1992 in a  workshop with fine artist Joe Fettingis. Since then, Moira's  painterly interests have grown to include landscape, waterscape, still life, flora, fauna and abstract. Ms. Elsley has also taken workshops with fine artists Art Cunanan, Jack Reid, Gordon McKenzie and Linda Finn and recently, DVD workshops with fine artist Ann Pember. While spending winters in Florida, Moira paints with a small group of artists, mentored by noted fine artist Margrete Hause Barnes.

A member artist in the Manitoulin Fine Arts Association on Manitoulin Island, Northern Ontario, Canada and the Visual Arts Centre in Panama City, Florida, USA, Moira also works in acrylic, oil and mixed media. Ms. Elsley undertakes commissioned paintings from approved or artist taken photographs and produces limited prints, which are available for sale. 

Moira appreciates the comments of visiors in her Guestbook.