Meet Lellopepper (Elise)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lellopepper (Elise) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lellopepper (Elise), can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I believe deeply in the unity of nurturing our planet and people. Over the past few years, I’ve built in many sustainable practices and continue to learn more. One of them is a big one for me, and that was to go 100% carless and it was an adjustment but living in Los Angeles makes it a bit easier, allowing me to meet business needs through walking, biking and mindful shipping. It has brought so much peace and slowness to everyday life. Another nice slice to help the community is that a portion of the proceeds from my art sales are dedicated to climate and refugee movements – causes close to my heart and integral to my identity as Lellopepper. I feel loaded up on gratitude to use my creativity to make a positive impact and to inspire others to join in the effort.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Right now, I’m most excited about my CORNLIPSTICK artbook, it’s an art matrix collection through a quarter-century of creativity: photography, soft sculpture, journaling, poetry… and I play on the roles of nature vs. consumerism. It’s the first time I’ve rounded up a full body of my art from such a huge chunky period of time and it’s a bit of a lesson for myself – to see that I’ve been speaking the same visual language from the beginning. Technology and ideas have evolved but there’s something there that’s all Lello’d and it comes right from the core. I feel completely connected to everything I’m creating and it is floaty.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
What’s funny is that when one of my best friend’s came to visit me from Detroit, I thought I was going to show her everything cool and whimsy – she’s a Shinrin-Yoku spending time among the trees type being so I had the nature stuff down but she turned my life upside-down and took me to a Spanish Disco night at the Melody Lounge in China Town and that was the night I met my husband on the dancefloor. We celebrate our 4 year anniversary this July. Sooo these days I’ve become a big nester, I’d introduce a friend to the wonders beyond the confines of LA traffic, where Los Angeles stretches its treasures of nature and al fresco veggy dining. The Huntington Library is a gem spot. So many other nature places to have breakfast picnics, pancakes beneath eucalyptus trees, bike paths, and thrifting. My passion for vegetarian cooking and outdoor entertaining shines in our garden, where my husband and I often have Sapo games. I’m not one for frequent outings, but here and there, I do cherish live music, especially in small, honest and intimate east LA spots: La Cuevita, Zebulon, Tiki-Ti. Can’t forget the beaches… the beaches are incredible, especially the El Matador areas, whale watching, shell collecting. It’s endless and there’s always something new to discover. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Reflecting on all the influences – people, books, culture, music – it’s all blended together like a fresh smoothie, an overwhelming array of memories come to mind. While I often paint my interview questions with rosy blooms, my childhood was pretty tough. There was little-to-any family support, it was a life of independence. Yet, it was this hardship that linked my deep connection with community and the arts. My survival and growth were nurtured by the support of those around me. It’s been a collective embrace. Big loud shoutout to the community, for all the love and encouragement; you are the heart of my story as an artist. 

Website: https://www.lellopepper.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lellopepper

Image Credits
© LELLOPEPPER®