Meet Elizabeth Estrada: Model & Artist

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

Hi Elizabeth, why did you pursue a creative career?
The idea of pursuing an artistic career was always something I battled with. When I was younger I had dreams of going to art school in Scotland but that never came to fruition, mostly due to my lack of focus and lack of funds. At my heart, I am an artist but there’s a side of me that’s also a businesswoman, and that business side of me did not understand why I would spend so much to go to school to learn something that I do inherently. Luckily, I fell into modeling and photography which allowed me to make money and still be a creative person with creative freedoms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
A couple years ago I read something that really stuck with me, it was a story about this woman who was traveling all over the world but the bottom line was that you don’t have to decide to be one thing and stay with it. As I’ve gotten older I realize that we are all multi-dimensional beings. Your career doesn’t define you, your family doesn’t define you, your trauma doesn’t define you. You don’t have to wake up one day and tattoo what you are on your forehead for everyone to see.  I like that. I started out modeling and managed to be slightly successful for a little while. Mostly the ride was fun, but what modeling really gave me was confidence. I had more confidence in my photography and more connections. The world has changed, as we all know it. A new way that I can express myself creatively is through painting. Before Covid hit I was in school studying microbiology (pre-nursing). I was choosing to completely re-define myself and go down a field to help people and be more fiscally responsible, I guess you could say, hahaha. Likely in an effort to feel somewhat in control of my situation I merged what I was currently focusing on with something I have done my whole life. I’ve taken a liking to painting human anatomy, but in a colorful fun way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in a small beach town in Southern California, it’s nestled between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. As a kid, I always hated it here. I felt like it was very mundane, average, and not enough diversity. Thankfully due to modeling, I was able to travel quite a bit to all the big cities that I have forever fantasized about. For the most part, none of them disappointed me. Edinburgh, Scotland still remains my favorite place on earth. Upon returning home to Ventura, I found a new appreciation for this little town.  If I could take a friend and show them the secret little magic places about my home, I would take them to get a glass of wine downtown, it’s one street, not very long and you always run into somebody you know. Always.  Paradise pantry has the best wine and cheese pairings. Lure fish house has my favorite food, wine and company. The Saloon is a bar I used to work at that makes cocktails that never disappoint. I am manifesting to move to an even smaller town outside of Ventura, called Ojai. I’d like a farm there, plenty of animals and enough land to spread out a bit.  Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I love that this shoutout centers around giving recognition to the people who have been supportive of the journeys that we are all on. My story however, and the only reason you are interviewing me, is very much attributed to the support that I have received my whole life. I have an amazing family that I am incredibly close with. My parents could not be more supportive and generous with everything they have. As a creative person, sometimes you have to choose freedom over consistent income, Even from a young age my mom always told me she was my safety net and I should pursue whatever I wanted. I know how blessed I am, just having someone say these words to me made me feel more confident in taking risks. In reality, there are so many people In my life that are amazing, friends, my significant other, people I’ve met in school that make me want to be a better student and work harder. I’m constantly inspired and unequivocally thankful. 

Website: lizestradaphoto.com
Instagram: lizphoto

Image Credits
David Wilusz