Elida is a self-taught artist based in Portland, Oregon. Her practice is rooted in a deep fascination with natural law and light. Through the isolation and preserving of botanical structures, textures, and color fields — Elida invites viewers to contemplate the networks and flows that bind nature and people alike.
What is your name and what do you do?
I’m Elida, the botanical artist behind Lili Goat Studio! I opened LGS in 2024 as a commitment to pursue my creative ideas. It started with floral design and has since evolved into botanical design and fine art that aims to spark curiosity and reconnect people to the natural world around.
What inspires you?
Nature, people, museums and books! But lately trees have been a big source of inspiration lately!
What drew you to your field and what makes your approach different from others?
While I’ve always loved drawing and painting, my obsession with the idea of incorporating natural materials began in 2018 when I joined a local mountaineering club called The Mazamas. Through their basic climbing education program I gained confidence to venture into the outdoors and explore some of the most beautiful places in the Americas. From climbing the Guardian Peaks locally to solo backpacking in Patagonia – I find endless source material in observing the patterns, colors and textures I notice in nature.
In The Monstera Project I explored the beauty within the decaying process. Through a controlled decaying process, monstera leaves rest in a tub of water to soften over 2-3months. Decomposing just enough to gently remove all the green matter from each leaf and reveal the “skeleton” of the vascular system that once sustained life.
What is a favorite story you have as a second hand shopper?
This is an easy question because I have many! I grew up shopping at consignment stores and going to garage sales with my parents. Hands down my
favorite secondhand story is really my dads from over a decade ago… I’ll set the scene a little, I’m in my mid twenties and I’m living back at home with my parents. I’m sitting at the kitchen table of my childhood home, my dad walks through the front door and I immediately clock my dad looking fresh in a like-new Carhartt vest. I compliment him on his vest and he mentions that he’d just scored the vest at “the bins” – a sharp Carheartt vest in that classic brown color usually goes for about $100! I got up from the kitchen table to admire and feel the vest when I noticed the seams around the shoulders were frayed. I pointed out the “defect” [and likely reason for getting dumped at the bins] to my Dad and he turns to look at me, grins and says “Yeah, I know. I wanted a vest. So I ripped the sleeves off… they charge by weight there.”
My dad took his pocket knife and ripped the sleeves off a Carhartt and left them behind. He’s pretty hilarious.
What is on your Portland must-see list?
The new Portland Art Museum! Especially right now – 4th Floor To Mildness by Pipilotti Rist is beautiful!
How do you spend your free time?
Lately – with how beautiful the weather has been, I have been walking around looking for all the historical trees around Portland for my latest project.
Who is someone you admire?
I admire so many people, but I gotta hand it to my sisters, they’re the first people that came to mind! Watching them both become mothers and bonding with all my nieces and nephews over the last couple years has been a massive source of inspiration.
