Meet E.Lizé | Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with E.Lizé and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi E.Lizé, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want to be remembered as a catalyst for cultural connection and change, someone who bridged the gap between generations while preserving the richness of Black history. I hope people will see me as loving, passionate, and loyal to both my community and my craft.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work encompasses the many facets of Black culture within the everyday life of our times and history. I highlight this through the use of highly saturated acrylic portraiture and scenery to convey the overall atmosphere, with my own touch of artistic license. My use of color symbolizes how much we stand out as people while remaining universal.

I’m an archivist at heart, so I like to make sure I cover all the bases when it comes to the foundation of things we know them to be today—I like taking it back to where it all started.

A good friend of mine, Amy Henderson, who is the head of Marketing at my alma mater, introduced me to the Wilmington’s art community by taking me to an Art Loop back in December 2017, where I met many artists. Fast forward to 2020, Joe del Tufo, whom I also met through Amy, gave my name to an organization looking for several artists to do murals in Wilmington during the height of the George Floyd riots. I painted Oluwatoyin Salau, a young activist who had been murdered in Tallahassee, Florida a couple months prior. The murals garnered so much attention that my colleagues and I had a group exhibition at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts in Texas the following year. After that, more people became aware of my work, and I continued to build connections within the community.

I wouldn’t say it was easy; there was a lot of waiting involved. At that time, I was also getting in my own way. I had to improve my business acumen, which is something I feel many artists struggle with. I learned a lot through trial and error—I was eager to jump at every opportunity without doing my research or taking time to see if it aligned with my long-term goals. Sometimes, I gave more than I got, or I got nothing at all. Sometimes, projects fell through. But even then, I found ways to hone my craft and grow creatively.

Now, I’ve learned to take my time, do my research, and make sure I’m compensated before starting any work. I’ve also learned when to accept or decline work that doesn’t align with my vision or goals. Artists often get lumped into one category, but there are so many facets to art. Considering an artist’s expertise, skillset, and subject matter is key to finding the right person for a project. I’ve also learned to create opportunities for myself rather than wait for someone to give me one.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love food, so naturally, I’d start at a restaurant. A great introduction for my best friend would be Piccolina Toscana—amazing Italian food and drinks. Market Street also has a lot of great options, so throughout the week, I’d take them to Wilma’s, Farmer & The Cow, and Maker’s Alley. For a higher-end option, Bardea Steak would be perfect. I also love sushi, so Jasmine Asian Cuisine would be a great spot to visit during the day.

There’s always an art or music event going on, and many of my friends are artists or creatives, so we’d likely end up at one of the local galleries or museums—The Sold Firm, MKT Place Gallery, Chris White Gallery, or The Delaware Contemporary. I’d also take them to Sondae Service, a musical experience hosted by Sondae Blu, with support from DJs like DJ Mac Wondo and DJ Kis. We’d also spend time at the Riverfront to enjoy the scenery in Wilmington, and Brandywine Park is another beautiful option.

If there’s an event that week, we’d check out the Wilmington Public Library, which hosts incredible free events featuring revered celebrities sharing their journeys. Past guests have included Pam Grier, Phylicia Rashad, and the cast of A Different World. It’s an amazing way to experience the stories of these icons.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to God, first and foremost, and to my parents and siblings for their unwavering love and support. I also want to recognize my extended family, Cecil College, and my community in Wilmington, Delaware, for always supporting and nurturing my growth. Special shoutout to my Grandmothers, Nataki Oliver, Tasha Digital, Joe del Tufo, and Amy Henderson.

Website: https://www.elizeofficial.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.lizeart

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-jones-artist

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/elizeofficial_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizetheofficial

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elizeofficial_

Image Credits
Joe del Tufo, Ish Music, REC Philly.