Elsa Flores demonstrated interest in arts from a very young age. She grew up in East Los Angeles. She studied photography at California State University Los Angeles and afterwards enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. While at the Art Center, she taught art and music education at Plaza de la Raza with artist Carlos Almaraz and Louie Pérez and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos. Flores occasionally performed with Los Lobos.

Her artistic credits include approximately 12 solo exhibits, and over 32 group exhibitions, throughout all of the United States and Mexico.

Elsa’s most recent project was as the Co-Director, Writer, Executive Producer, and Art Director for the documentary film about her late husband Carlos Almaraz. The film titled, Carlos Almaraz: Playing with Fire” is available on Netflix. This extraordinary work is Elsa’s loving tribute to the memory and art of Carlos.