Outside the Lines

For as long as she can remember, Courtney Einhorn has loved art. It was her favorite subject in school—Romero Britto even came to her elementary class to talk about his artistic journey, a visit that left a lasting impression—and she counts herself lucky to have been exposed to other working artists early on. 

“I remember visiting New York City as a kid and being completely mesmerized by street artists' drawings,” she tells AQUA Miami. “I could have stood there all day watching them work.” Einhorn still has the letter an art teacher wrote to her praising her talent, encouraging her to apply to a magnet art program, and suggesting that Einhorn might one day be a professional artist. “It’s pretty amazing,” Einhorn—whose whimsical, imaginative work as a painter, muralist, portraitist, and designer of the 2026 Miami Marathon medals and ribbons has garnered coverage from NBC, CBS, E! Bravo, and more—says, “to see that prediction come full circle.”

Yet it was not a straight line from there to here: “Although I always created art for fun and often gave pieces to friends and family, the actual career shift happened in 2013,” Einhorn explains. “At the time, I was working as a speech-language pathologist and had put art aside. I ended up leaving my job without another plan and during that time I started painting once again. It quickly became clear that this was what I truly wanted to pursue full-time.”

One look at Einhorn’s work will tell you she definitely made the right choice—both for her own artist’s soul and the communities she chronicles. 

You have such a unique, distinctive style across mediums. How did it evolve? 

And when Medwin speaks of scars through experimentation and curiosity. I started out creating abstract art and then added in figurative pieces as well. I’ve always loved incorporating texture and unexpected materials, so my process has been a lot of trying things, seeing what resonates, and building from there. Over the years, I’ve often been told that artists should stick to one signature style; that it’s the formula for becoming “successful.” But I’ve naturally gone in the opposite direction. I have so many ideas and creative visions that it feels limiting to confine myself to just one look or approach. My brain is always jumping to different ideas, and I’ve learned to embrace that instead of trying to narrow it down. While the styles may shift, the one constant in my work is vibrant color. I’m always drawn to bold, joyful palettes, and I love creating pieces that make people feel happy. In a way, that feeling of joy is my real signature style.

The Miami art scene is vibrant these days. Are you happy to be here?

Absolutely! Miami’s energy plays a huge role in my artwork. The city’s vibrancy and boldness naturally show up in my pieces—the colors and the movement all reflect the city itself. Miami isn’t just vibrant; it truly embraces art in every form. Whether I’m exhibiting at a weekend art festival, painting a storefront mural, doing a live painting at a major event, or someone commissioning a pet portrait, people really gravitate toward creativity here. 

I also love seeing it firsthand through the paint parties I host. People often arrive saying they “can’t even draw a stick figure.” By the end of the class, they’re surprised at what they’ve created. That kind of enthusiasm, both for making and experiencing art, is what makes Miami so inspiring.

You do seem to have a lot of momentum. Are you just going with the flow or do you have a planned set of goals?

Honestly, it’s a bit of both. I have goals and projects I’m actively working toward, but I also look forward to opportunities that come up unexpectedly. I am a go-getter and I really hustle everyday! I also feel incredibly lucky that doors keep opening. Often, I’ll finish a major project and open my email the next morning to find multiple inquiries from people interested in collaborating or commissioning a piece. I genuinely look forward to opening up my emails and seeing what pops up each day. For me, momentum comes from staying curious, committed, and consistent, not just in creating, but in sharing and promoting my work. It’s a balance between planning and taking risks.

Tell me about the artwork you created for the 2026 Miami Marathon medals.

My designs appeared on 18,500 medals and ribbons, which was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wanted the ribbon to feel unmistakably Miami: vibrant and full of energy. Each ribbon features multiple paintings, with each one representing something runners experience along the course: the rising sun over the MacArthur Causeway, the palm trees lining Ocean Drive, the skyline and buildings throughout Downtown, and the sailboats passing through Coconut Grove.

Miami is colorful, bold, and full of life, and I wanted the ribbon to capture that spirit. After the race, so many runners reached out to thank me, telling me it was the favorite medal they had ever received. That made me feel incredible! I hope the runners will always feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they look at the medal; a celebration of all the hard work, dedication, and joy that goes into crossing that finish line. 

Photographs courtesy of Courtney Einhorn 

For more information or to commission a piece, visit @courtneyeinhorn on Instagram.