Biography

Elissa Lieberman is a New York based figurative painter working primarily in oil. Her practice has evolved from large scale narrative compositions toward restrained, intimate images focused on bodily presence and psychological intensity. She earned an M.F.A from Maryland Institute College of Art where she studied under Grace Hartigan, and has taught extensively at universities and art institutions. Lieberman founded the San Diego Art Loft in 2015. it closed during the pandemic. Elissa relocated to New York City in 2026 where she continues to develop a focused body of figurative work.

Statement

Elissa Lieberman's work centers on figurative painting, primarily faces, approached as sites of presence rather than likeness. Working with restrained, layered paint, she prioritizes structure, pressure,and immediacy over narrative description. Her paintings hold tension through economy, allowing ambiguity and intensity to coexist without full resolution.