Meet Your Neighbor: Eli 5 Stone
Beverly Flanagan
Submitted December 2025
If you’ve spent time walking through downtown Topsfield, chances are you’ve crossed paths
with Eli 5 Stone — quite possibly alongside Teddy, his well-known four-legged companion
affectionately dubbed the “Mayor of Topsfield.” An artist whose work spans illustration, design,
writing, animation, sculpture, carpentry, photography, and teaching, Eli brings both creative
energy and deep appreciation for community to the town he now calls home.
From Beverly to Becoming an Artist
Eli grew up in Beverly, where his early interest in art took root. After graduating from Beverly
High School, he attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. While formal education
played a role, Eli describes his creative development simply: “Mostly, I’ve learned by doing.”
That hands-on approach carried him beyond Massachusetts. Over the years, Eli lived in Boston
and Venice Beach, California, absorbing different environments and artistic influences along the
way. One formative inspiration came from the black-and-white comic book boom of the 1980s, a
time when independent voices and satire flourished. “I’m an artist — I express things visually,”
he says, a statement that neatly captures both his versatility and focus.
Family, Home, and Life in Topsfield
In 2019, Eli’s life took a meaningful turn. He married his wife, Rachael, on August 31 — a
reconnection years in the making after the two had briefly known each other while attending
Beverly High School in different grades. A chance reconnection on Facebook led to a blended
family and, eventually, a move to Topsfield.
Now a proud stepfather to two teenagers, Eli speaks warmly about family life and the everyday
moments that matter most. Cooking together, working on crafts, learning new skills, and
spending time outdoors are central to their routines. Their dog Teddy, a seven-year-old rescue
Lab-hound mix, has become a beloved fixture around town. “He’s my first dog — and my best
friend,” Eli says.
Topsfield, he explains, feels different from anywhere he has lived before. “This has become
home like no place ever has,” he says. From canoeing on the Ipswich River and biking through
town to admiring historic stone walls, wildlife, and the changing seasons, Eli finds inspiration in
the landscape itself. “My home is paradise.”
Creative Work and What Comes Next
Professionally, Eli works at 5 Stone Creative, where his multidisciplinary background allows him
to move fluidly between mediums. He is widely recognized for his association with The Tick and
for illustration work on music biographies, but his creative focus today is firmly forward-
looking.
Eli is currently working on his own book, Brick Mannigan: Public Dick, which he hopes to
complete and publish soon. Alongside this major project, he continues to explore how traditional
craft intersects with modern tools. Reflecting thoughtfully on technology, he notes, “AI can be a
tool — like a kitchen knife. It can create a meal, or do harm.” For Eli, tools matter less than
intention and integrity.
Closer to home, his work is beginning to appear in local spaces. After participating in his first
show at Zumi’s, he was invited to display two pieces at the Topsfield Library — a milestone he
sees as the beginning of deeper community connection. “I’d love to be more involved,” he says,
expressing gratitude for the welcome he’s already received.
“I’m in love with this town. I want to give Topsfield a big hug.”
As for Topsfield itself, Eli’s affection is unmistakable — rooted in daily life, creative work, and
the deep satisfaction of finally feeling at home.
(Word Count- 566)
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