Meet Liz Flores Callahan

We were lucky to catch up with Liz Flores Callahan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Liz, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Honestly, I don’t think imposter syndrome is something I’ll ever fully overcome, it’s more something I’ve learned to live with and work through. I tend to be someone who wants to have every detail figured out before starting a big project or creative challenge, so the hardest part is often just taking that first step. There’s always a little voice in the back of my head asking, “Are you sure you can do this?” But over time, I’ve realized that the drive to prove that voice wrong is to push forward and see where the process takes me is stronger. For me, overcoming imposter syndrome isn’t a single moment of victory. It’s an ongoing practice of trusting my instincts, starting before I feel ready, and allowing growth to happen through the work itself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a painter exploring how energy: the kind we feel but can’t always see, shapes the way we experience the world. My current series, “We Are the Energy That Surrounds Us,” began in 2020 and focuses on crystal and glass figurines I find in vintage shops. I love how these reflective objects absorb and transform their surroundings. It’s a perfect metaphor for how people evolve through their environments and connections.
My paintings are where whimsy meets reflection, literally and emotionally My process blends a feminine, stylized classical approach with a curiosity for unconventional materials like wood canvases I have built or even aluminum which I have done in past works of mine. That mix of soft and industrial reflects the balance I see in life the tension between delicacy and strength.
What excites me most is how color and light can tell emotional stories. Each painting becomes a meditation on transformation and connection. Right now, I’m expanding the series, exploring larger scale works, and preparing for upcoming exhibitions and projects all focused on turning the intangible idea of “energy” into something people can truly feel. At the end of the day, my work is about finding beauty and meaning in the everyday. It is proof that even the smallest reflections can hold something profound

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my artistic journey most are curiosity, adaptability, and openness. I never want to stop learning, and I think growth is what drives me. Curiosity has pushed me to explore beyond painting into new materials and creative environments. Working with the Bergdorf Goodman visual display team and later as a display artist for Anthropologie opened my eyes to fabrication and design in ways I’d never imagined. Looking back, I think those experiences taught me to see things from so many different perspectives. Adaptability followed naturally. I had no experience in those areas, but I jumped in, learned from others, and built confidence through doing. Those roles taught me that being an artist isn’t just about talent it’s about being resourceful and willing to evolve. Openness is everything I think. Saying “yes” to opportunities, even when they scare you, can completely shift your path. My advice to emerging artists: stay curious, take risks, and trust that each experience good or challenging moves you closer to the artist you’re meant to be.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

A dream collaboration for me would be with a glass or blown crystal artist. I’m endlessly fascinated by how light moves through crystal. Baccarat pieces, in particular, have the most addictive reflections. With my paintings, I always work from real objects because the reflections need to feel authentic and alive. There are so many ideas in my head that I wish I could bring to life, but sometimes I can’t find the actual crystal forms to play with. Collaborating with a glass artist would open up a whole new world. Imagine a show where my paintings are paired with the actual glass or crystal pieces that inspired them. That kind of dialogue between materials and mediums really excites me.
If there are any glass or crystal artists reading this who feel a spark, I’d love to connect!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lizfcallahan.com
• Instagram: @lizfcallahanart
• Facebook: @lizfcallahanart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-flores-callahan-2bbb8511

Image Credits

Wenc photo photographed the “Black Rainbow Baccarat Bunny”, “White Rainbow Baccarat Bunny”, & and The crystal pelican titled “Pélican de Cristal”