Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elise Lee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Art and music have always been a part of my life since childhood. While I dreamed of becoming a pianist, my sensitivity to sound eventually led me to realize that pursuing music might not be the best fit. This shift naturally brought me toward art. Drawing, painting, and creating were activities I always gravitated toward, and as a child, I was deeply fascinated by fashion. I loved collecting dolls and experimenting with their outfits, hairstyles, and colors. Fashion became a form of artistic expression for me—something that fueled my love for beauty and design.

Throughout middle and high school, I continued to pursue my passion for drawing, winning various awards along the way. One moment that stands out was when I received a “Color Award.” While I had always been recognized for the quality of my drawings, this was the first time I was acknowledged for my use of color. That recognition gave me a new sense of confidence in my abilities and sparked a deeper interest in how color could be used to elevate my work.

Though I never formally studied color theory, I’ve always had a strong intuition for color. It felt natural to me, like I just knew how to mix and layer colors to create the right mood or effect. From that point on, I began to focus more on exploring color in my work, and over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to pursuing art professionally.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m an event artist, fashion illustrator, and painter based in OC/LA. I studied painting and drawing as a Fine Art major at School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York and later earned my MFA from Pratt Institute. My creative practice spans several areas, but at the heart of everything I do is a love for visual art—especially when it comes to fashion and design.

As a live event illustrator, I collaborate with luxury brands such as Bulgari, Dior, Cartier, and Brunello Cucinelli, as well as with clients hosting weddings and private celebrations. My role is to be present at these events and create on-the-spot illustrations that capture meaningful moments—portraits, jewelry, accessories, or special scenes—based on what each client envisions. It’s a very personal, thoughtful kind of work, and I feel incredibly honored to be part of people’s cherished experiences.

In addition to live illustration, I work as a fashion illustrator. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on editorial projects, including princess and villain illustrations for Disney. I also continue to paint—my work is exhibited in galleries, where I’m able to explore personal themes and experiment with color and composition more freely.

What I love most about my work is that, despite spanning multiple creative fields, everything feels deeply connected. It’s like putting together pieces of a puzzle, each reflecting different aspects of who I am. My passion for fashion, color, artistic expression, and music has been with me since childhood. I see my abstract paintings as having a quality that mirrors the essence of music—like silent music playing on the canvas—and a fashion quality that brings elegance and style to the work. I bring that sensibility into each project I take on, blending the visual, the auditory, and the fashionable in ways that feel both personal and expressive.

I think what sets my work apart is the balance between fine art sensitivity and a fashion-forward aesthetic. Whether it’s a live sketch at a high-end event or a painting exhibited in a gallery, I want each piece to feel personal, expressive, and beautifully composed. I feel grateful to be able to create meaningful connections through art and to shape a career that reflects all aspects of my creative identity.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m passionate about working with established high-end fashion and design brands, creating custom designs and patterns for their goods and items. I dream of collaborating on projects where my art is integrated into various aspects of their brand identity, even envisioning an entire boutique wall dedicated to my painting collaboration. My work brings together fashion and art, with intention and room for creative journey, and I aim to blend these worlds in a way that captivates and inspires.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of my work as an artist is the ability to design pieces that both connect with clients and express my own creativity. Whether it’s through custom illustrations, paintings, or capturing the essence of a brand, I enjoy collaborating to create works that reflect their identity while allowing my personal expression to shine through. The process of transforming concepts into visual pieces that resonate with others—and feel both personal and meaningful—is what makes the work truly fulfilling. It’s when my artistic ideas align with a client’s vision that the work becomes most rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eliseleeart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eliseleeart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliseleeart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliseleeart/