Elisa Celis and MEXAS: The Value of Creating by Hand

Elisa Celis, muralist, photographer, and art director, spent an afternoon creating with MEXAS in Playa del Carmen. A huge canvas, plenty of paint, and a pair of MEXAS that ended up right in the middle of the process. Not much else was needed.

When Elisa lived in Cancún, she and Jess met in Playa del Carmen for an afternoon of creating together. From that afternoon came a colorful work of art and a conversation that still perfectly reflects the way we see MEXAS.

The collaboration was born from a very natural connection: we loved the way Elisa spoke about Mexico through color and how she saw creativity as something free, handmade, and full of life. It was very different from making shoes, yet remarkably similar to the way we do things.

An afternoon painting in Playa del Carmen

The plan was simple: spread the canvas out on the floor and begin. Elisa filled it with color while talking to Jess.

Between brushstrokes, conversation, and a few changes along the way, the piece took shape. We like it because it captures how we see creativity at MEXAS: creating with your hands, enjoying the process, and leaving a little space for the unexpected.

Giving shape to the artwork, brushstroke by brushstroke.

Who is Elisa Celis?

Elisa Celis is a muralist, photographer, and art director. She began developing her work as a muralist and illustrator in Mexico, and since then has brought her visual language to walls, photography, art direction projects, and collaborations with different brands.

Her work is known for its color, organic shapes, and a constant sense of movement. Even so, she prefers not to confine herself to a label. She understands art as an extension of her personality and, above all, as a way of getting to know herself.

You can discover more about her work at @elisacelis.art.

Mexico, a place that felt like home to Elisa

While painting, Elisa talked about her relationship with Mexico. The first thing she mentions is its energy and the country's ability to express its identity through everyday life.

"What I like most about Mexico is its energy. I believe every corner of Mexico is magical. I love Mexican culture and how Mexico expresses itself through its food, colors, and culture as a whole."

But her connection goes far beyond visual inspiration. From the moment she first set foot in Mexico, Elisa felt at home.

"Part of expressing who I am is being able to find myself in places that help me discover myself a little more each time. Mexico is one of those places that has given me so much and, above all, helped me understand myself better and discover a part of who I am. I believe a part of my heart will always be here, in Mexico."

Jess also found a home in Mexico and a new way of looking at the world. And that is one of the most beautiful points of connection in this collaboration. For Jess and Elisa, Mexico is not just a source of inspiration: it is a place they have truly experienced, full of memories, discoveries, and connections.

Elisa Celis's creative process

When we ask her where an idea begins, Elisa turns to what is closest to her: flowers, mountains, the sea, and animals. She also draws inspiration from books, cinema, and the work of other artists.

"My creative process begins by drawing a lot of inspiration from nature: flowers, mountains, the sea, animals... And then there are other things, like books, cinema, and the work of other artists."

This mix of references does not become a fully mapped-out drawing. Elisa starts, observes, and allows the work to find its own way.

Playa del Carmen, between color and the Caribbean Sea.

Creating without controlling every detail

One of the ideas we liked most from that conversation was her way of talking about control. For Elisa, an important part of the creative process is precisely letting go of the need to control every detail.

"There is a moment in the creative process when you have to stop controlling and let things happen. The creative process is a process of surrender, not control."

It's an idea that we also recognize in craftsmanship. Although each person knows their craft well, materials have their own nuances, and each piece retains small differences. That is part of its beauty.

Color as a creative language

In Elisa's work, color is not just there to decorate. It is her most natural way of expressing herself and conveying the changes she is going through.

"Colors are a way of life for me. I feel that my life is reflected in shifts of color, tone, and nuance. It is the language I know best for expressing myself."

Perhaps that's why her work fits so naturally with MEXAS. Color has also been with us from the beginning: in the huaraches, in the places we choose to photograph them, and in the joy we associate with getting dressed.

Color is also a way of seeing and interpreting the world.

The stories behind each pair of MEXAS

That afternoon there was also time to talk about how MEXAS are made. Elisa took away something that is essential to us: everything that happens before a pair reaches your hands.

"What I like most about MEXAS is getting a behind-the-scenes look. I find it very intimate and very valuable to see how a shoe is made by hand. Behind every product there are stories, many souls, and a lot of passion. I love that MEXAS shares that essence."

Her words resonate deeply with us. Each pair passes through different hands, and each one contributes a part to the result. That's why we like to show the process, the small details, and everything that usually goes unseen when the product is finished.

Many things have happened since that meeting in Playa del Carmen, but its essence remains very present in what MEXAS is today: Mexico as a point of connection, color as a language, and the value of creating by hand.

Thank you, Elisa, for sharing your beautiful approach to creating with us 🧡