Check out Elizabeth Messick’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Messick.

Elizabeth, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I have been interested in magic ever since I was 9 years old when my dad came home from a business trip in London and brought me back a book called “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.” I still remember him saying “this book is really popular in England right now!” I was a slow reader as a child and Harry Potter was the first chapter book I had ever read on my own. Since I was the new kid at school I didn’t have many friends.

Harry Potter filled my friendship void and made me realize I wanted everything in my life to be as magical as possible. I then “attempted” to be a magician from ages 9-12. Fast forward 11 years later. I am a 23-year-old singer in a band living in LA and wanting to quit music. It wasn’t fun for me anymore. I met my now magic partner, Simone, at her son’s first birthday party. We instantly become friends and about a year later I became her babysitter. We bonded over being child magicians and loving tiki and decided we should take magic lessons and start a tiki magic duo called Mystiki.

Three years and some change later, we have a monthly residency at The Edison in Downtown and are members of the Magic Castle! We have since started solo careers! I have traveled all around the world, performed for large corporations, am able to feed myself, and have met my heroes because of magic! It’s intimidating being a woman in the magic world so if it wasn’t for Simone, I wouldn’t have had the courage to pursue magic as a career. Now I can confidently call myself a professional magician and I’m so happy that I get to live my childhood dream!

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a magician. I perform strolling, parlor, and formal close-up magic. Since I have a background in music (singing specifically) I like to incorporate singing and dancing in my magic. I try to help create a temporary escape for people by putting them in a child-like state when I perform magic for them. There’s nothing that makes me happier than seeing a stubborn or cranky person crack a smile because they allowed themselves to temporarily suspend their disbelief.

The message I try and give to people is to remember to cherish the moment and to remember that the true magic in life is the love of the people who surround you. (I know it’s cheesy, but WHATEVER.) I also want to help inspire girls to pursue what they want to pursue even if it’s scary. I quit magic when I was 12 because it was a boy’s hobby and I was afraid people would call me a boy. Who taught me to think that way? I want to help reshape this thinking. I want magic to be for everyone!

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I’m not sure about other artists, but I’m an artist first and foremost, so the business side of things are a little bit complicated for me. Not only am I a magician, but I have to be a marketer, a manager, an admin, an accountant, etc… The business side of things is honestly the biggest challenge for me, but I’m learning a little bit more every day.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I have a magic residency with my magic duo, Mystiki, every last Wednesday of the month at The Edison in Downtown Los Angeles. You can also catch me studying at the Magic Castle library every week! Please check my website and Instagram for show updates!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethmessick.com
• Email: magicallyelizabeth@gmail.com
• Instagram: elizabird

Image Credit:
Symphony Marie, Megan Lovallo, William Messick, Sara Pocock, Steven Rood

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