Eli Mathis Cheatham

The artist formerly known as Lizzie

Photo: Olly Yung. © 2021 Matrons & Mistresses.

Dear Readers,

Recently I came across a post by Brook Hampton that stopped me in my tracks:“Let people make fun of you. Who the fuck cares. Start a new career at 40. Pole dance at 60. Learn to roller skate at 80. Start a whole new life at 70. Stop saying you can’t. You can and you should.”

With that in mind, I have decided it is high time I have a name that feels right. Not a name that was given or respectfully taken, but that never quite fit—although I really did try (See Dilemma of a Name). So, I will be entering my fourth decade as Eli (short for Elizabeth and pronounced E-lie) Mathis Cheatham. Yes, it might be a bit tricky with two Elis (M&M’s amazing creative director is also named Eli), and well, a few dear to me are still getting their heads around the change. But, life is short and precious and sometimes you have to risk upsetting people you love and looking a bit crazy when it means following the small voice within. Often, I am finding that is where my real work begins.

Who knows, maybe I’ll even get pink hair! 

Your friend,

Eli (the artist formerly known as Lizzie 😉)