Detroit native Elise Mesner describes herself as an eclectic-minded painter, illustrator, collage artist, fashion/costume designer, stylist, tastemaker, singer-songwriter and fine art photographer, working and dipping into all arty media.
With her unique approach towards subjects, colors, and the relationship between them, Elise Mesner is a multi-talented artist, combining different techniques into a world of idyllic dreamscapes, whimsical sceneries, and a healthy dose of eye-pleasing weirdness. Her work consists of creamy pastel colors, plants, food, and playful everyday objects.
In her creative career Elise has solo and group shows at local galleries, including the Detroit Institute of Arts. Her photography has been featured in several print publications and in other incarnations, including album covers and recipe books.
Five Questions to Elise Mesner
How would you describe your photography to someone who has never seen it?
Like an old recipe of juxtaposition, light studies, dashes of emotion from the world, green living energy, making familiar things new, seeing the extraordinary true brilliance of moments. Most importantly, within, behind and beyond the photos, fun was had. Laughs were made and I’m happy I’m able to use everything I am, and everything I have inside, my entire heart-gut to visually say something about the world around me.
What makes a great photograph?
Photos that cause some kind of emotional response. It can be blurry, ill composed, but if a photo can cause an emotional response, it’s a ticket to greatness, I believe.
What’s your main source of inspiration when you’re behind the camera?
The big source for me is simply the art of creating photos. I have an innate awareness and sensibility to capture and create. Compositions excite me. Sunny streets excite me. Colorful fresh fruits and flowers ignite my camera.
How is the photography industry changing in the digital era?
Children are now growing up as digital natives, and with all the social media and zillions of photos being snapped, we’ve become great at sharing visual information and stories. People can relate to one another and it’s easy to find like-minded people, or similar tastes in the artist community. With all the wonderful visual sharing, I think it’s imperative and completely necessary to keep sharing experiences that don’t involve a camera/cell phone. Talk to one another. Dance with one another. Laugh with one another. Slow down, linger in the life and take mental photos. And so on.
Have you heard of Blockchain and if so, what are your views on it?
Not familiar with Blockchain.
You can find Elise Mesner’s work on 