This Portrait is painted by Kerry Simmons
Elisha Marie Lopez (b. 1993) is an artist from the Bronx of New York City. As a sensitive soul, she channels her life experiences through artistic expression using mixed media.
Compelled to create in her youth, she was primarily self taught before attending the Highschool of Art & Design. However, as she embarked on her prospective degree, Elisha made a courageous pivot, redirecting her energy to seize opportunities of artistic intent. During this transformative time, she taught art to children, a role that enriched her own creative spirit. Simultaneously, she spent nearly a decade creating live-digital portraits with Drawing Booth. Her work outside formal education reflects her accumulated knowledge and ingenuity.
In recent years, Elisha created a maternal illustration series inspired by her daughter, Luna. Immersing motherhood into her art contributed a sophisticated perspective which separated her work from superficial themes presented in popular media.
Her latest artistic endeavor is a powerful call to action, challenging viewers to see women through a dynamic lens, acknowledging their multi-faceted identities. Elisha believes that women are more than their age, beauty, motherhood, or any single dimension. Her visual platform is a canvas for unsung heroines, weaving their diverse identities into a rich tapestry that underscores the importance of representation, regardless of the scale of her chosen themes.
Elisha's unwavering belief in her audience, which she sees as an extension of herself, fuels her artistic journey. She remains steadfast in her conviction that art has guided her to her true purpose, a testament to the transformative power of creative expression.
"My desire to visually connect with my daughter, Luna, has compelled me to unravel the details of pregnancy that still remain an enigma. This series is about making ample wall space for our children’s memorabilia to keep us going.
To my surprise, sonograms exists as keepsakes. About 75 percent of the families I interviewed tucked away their pictures and about 1/4th of them misplaced their copies. As I became aware of the odd fate among sonograms and ultrasounds, I knew a change was needed. Now inspired by Nostalgic Matrescence, my resolve is to share this gift with all parents.
The illustrations I’ve made have been tailored to each client's personal experience with pregnancy and preference in design."