Painting as Performance

An exhibition at Lone Pine Coffee Roasters will feature live painting accompanied by live music, an innovative way to experience art and community. Local artist Eli Be will showcase her craft at the coffee shop alongside performances from a variety of musicians on Friday, March 14, from 5 to 8pm.

According to Be, music and dance have always influenced how she creates. She’s excited to see how the music and atmosphere inspire her art at the event.

“The idea is to let music, movement and painting overlap — seeing how sound influences the way I work and how the energy of the space shapes the piece. It’s more of an experiment than a performance, and that’s what makes it exciting,” Be told the Source Weekly.

Be started painting in 2021 as a way to navigate grief and emotions. Over time, it became more than just an outlet. Now, she said, art is a space for self-discovery, challenge and healing.

Drawn to artists like van Gogh, Salvador Dalí and Picasso, Be’s style is abstract impressionism with a surreal edge.

“At its core, my work is about the freedom to express openly, without needing to explain or justify. There should be more space for that — for art that isn’t polished or perfect but honest and evolving.”

In addition to the live painting event, Be’s work is currently on display at Lone Pine Coffee Roasters and will remain up until the end of March.

The live music lineup includes Breanna Marie Gonzalez, Piper Sonnet, spoken word from William Gregory, Ian Lafky, Andrew Belinsky, and DJ and emcee Devan Fischer. The event is connected to the Farm to Warm Springs Fundraiser, an effort to support local farms and food access in the Warm Springs area.