Images by Elise Peterson, photos by Max Hemphill; interview by Amaris Ramey

As a woman who wears many (fabulous) hats, Elise Peterson infuses magic into every endeavor. In addition to her artistic mediums of animated collage, recorded audio, and installation, Elise has illustrated two children’s books and personally created a coloring book that encourages kids to connect themselves to nature. As a mother of two young children, Elise embodies an awe-inspiring ability to balance and combine her family and work, letting each inform the other. In 2018 she founded Cool Moms, a podcast and community platform showcasing mothers who pursue their passions. Elise was also a part of our Mother Knows Best campaign, which advocates for reproductive rights and gun control, and was featured in the Spring 2024 issue of Mother Tongue magazine. In the interview below, the multi-hyphenate creative and activist discusses motherhood, Juneteenth and liberation through storytelling.

Elise wears SNACKS! The Slung Sugar Cone Sneak in All You Can Eat

What jump-started your career as an artist?

I was working as a secretary at an elementary school in Brooklyn. Languishing at my desk, I started creating collages around Black History Month to share with students who came into the office. I wanted them to be exposed to the vast range of talent and intelligence that Black and Indigenous people have and continue to contribute to society. From Sister Rosetta Tharpe to Tupac, the collages grew in popularity via Tumblr and the series Black Folk began. I left that job, filed for unemployment, and used that money to start my website selling prints.

 

They say that life influences art, how has your life influenced your art?

My life is my art. I became pregnant illustrating How Mamas Love Their Babies and gave birth around the time the book was published. I am completely immersed within the work that I do. I documented and emotionally processed some of the most vulnerable and pinnacle moments of my life through my work. My father’s funeral in “Brother, Uncle, Father, Son, Friend” & “It Is What It Is” along with my pregnancy and birth in “A Meditation on Thug Life” & “In Due Time”. My work is a mirror.

Elise wears SNACKS! The Slung Sugar Cone Sneak in All You Can Eat

What’s your zodiac sign and what part of your life does it show up the most?

I’m a Scorpio sun, Aries moon, and Gemini rising. The Scorpio and Aries infuse an unwavering sense of passion and purpose in everything I do. Work, projects, relationships, and especially mothering I give my all to. BUT if I’m not into it, I’m paying it dust. The Gemini rising keeps things light, friendly, curious, and a nice balance to my mars ruled chart. My rising placement is why I can work a room! 

  

How have other Black artists influenced your work?

One of my north stars is the late Faith Ringgold. I appreciate that she has a limitless practice in her work. From children’s books, mixed media sculpture, performance art, intersectional activism, and of course her narrative quilts - she did it all and she did it well. 

 

Your podcast is called “Cool Moms,” what’s one of your favorite lessons that motherhood has taught you?

Motherhood has taught me you can’t do it alone! Whether it's family or community, it’s important to not only have people support you as a mother, but also have different perspectives to help guide children. 

 

Elise wears The Major Sneak Roller in Roger That and The Best Of The Vest in Nook And Cranny

What’s the most important thing you want to teach your son?

To know that he is a vessel of God and as long as he is guided by divine purpose he will thrive. 


What’s the best piece of advice your MOTHER gave you?

To be true to yourself and everything else will fall into place. Also, doubt means don’t. 


Being a mom is clearly important to you, how has motherhood shaped your creative work? 

The first children’s book I illustrated was How Mamas Love Their Babies. While illustrating that book I became pregnant and when it was published I had given birth to Sargent. So quite literally since his inception, Motherhood has guided my work. In much of my practice, I consider it an opportunity to document not only our lives now, but to archive our family history. I want him to know the people he comes from. Who they were before him and how their lives, contributions, and sacrifices have opened doors for him. 

 

What does work/life balance look like to you?

I try to savor the little moments in life. A moment in the sun, a good TV show - anything that is just for me. Aside from that, I have made sure to include Sargent in the things I love to do which have also turned into what he loves. Hiking, time in nature, art, etc. are ways I can have quality time with him while prioritizing living.

Elise wears The Tomcat Roller Fray in Dancing In The Moonlight

You include in your Instagram bio, “Liberation Through Storytelling” – which is a beautiful approach to your work. What does it mean to be a storyteller and how do you tell stories through different mediums?

To be a storyteller is to be a vessel of truth. I approach my work with the objective of documenting what is now, while weaving in what was, alongside the wonderment of what could be. I have a limitless practice in storytelling which means I have the freedom to explore a multitude of ways to share. This first started off in writing - I worked as a music editor and sex columnist for several years, and then evolved into 2D collage, collage animation, sculpture, children’s book illustrations, and into my podcast Cool Moms. 


What are you doing this year for Juneteenth?

Since moving to LA, I’ve spent almost every Juneteenth at the Leimert Park Juneteenth Festival. There’s always good food, opportunity to support local, Black owned businesses, and my son and I love the drum circle. One of my favorite photos of Sargent is from a Juneteenth at Leimert with him in the middle of elders banging on the drums. 

 

As you have a bit of a culinary background, what’s your favorite dish at the cookout?

I love potato salad, but I absolutely would not take on the pressure of making it for the cookout. I will, however, make a deviled egg. There is something so delicious and classic about it, and they remind me of my grandmother.

Black is beautiful because

There is no liberation until we are all free. Free Congo. Free Palestine.


What upcoming projects are you most excited about right now?

There is so much to be excited and grateful for! Cool Moms x The Line Hotel will be partnering on June 26th to launch our video talk series. Within the same spirit as our live events, conversations will be recorded in front of a live audience, but we are adding a video component and releasing them talk show style. Growing up I wanted to be Oprah so this is my talk show vision coming to fruition. June is also stacked, because Evelynn Escobar, Founder of Hike Clerb, and I have partnered to launch a new kids initiative, Hike Clerb: SPROUTS. The mission is to increase confidence, mindfulness, and root Black, Indigenous, and other radicalized youth with a long-lasting connection to the greenspaces around them. We will be offering inquiry-based programming centering the intersection of art and the natural world. And yes, we will have vests and patches!

MOTHER LOVES: ELISE PETERSON

We sat down with the multi-hyphenate creative, mother, and activist to learn about her endlessly fascinating life, work, and inspirations.

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