Elio Hinds was born in El Salvador in 1970. From an early age she showed the talent and disposition for an artistic life. Elio studied with renowned Salvadoran artist Roberto Huezo. At age 18 she moved to the United States to attend the College of William and Mary in Virginia, studying fine arts, with an emphasis in sculpture. Her love of travel and adventure has taken her to many different corners of the world. By land, she has experienced many of the wild places that the United States have to offer. As a traditional boat sailor, she has sailed up and down the east coast all the way to Nova Scotia, around the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal to Hawaii. As a solo traveler, she has visited Peru several times, from the Andes to the Amazon jungle and, most recently, an extended trip to Kenya where she immersed herself in her love of nature.
She has been living in Key West since 1994 and Works for the Waterfront Playhouse as Master Scenic Artist since 2004. She is also a backcountry kayak guide and charter boat crew.