Attempting the Impossible by Swopes

About the Collection

'Attempting the Impossible' is an ode to Belgian artist René Magritte, one of the most significant surrealists of all time who was on the quest to "establish a profound link between consciousness and the external world." Magritte began as a graphic designer but eventually produced advertisements for many brands until being internationally acknowledged as an artist.

When Elise Swopes, the artist behind “Attempting the Impossible,” first joined Instagram in 2010, she couldn't have imagined that she'd one day be featured on billboards, in commercials, and on mood boards at agencies across the globe. She just knew that the phone in her hand held incredible power, one that would allow her to inspire others while showcasing her unique vision.

Since then, the self-taught photographer and graphic designer has used her business savvy to spin influencer marketing on Instagram into a full-fledged career. Her ability to connect with an audience of millions by melding art with a message has opened up once-in-a-lifetime opportunities — like throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs game or becoming a top-selling NFT artist. She has also notably collaborated with Adobe, Adidas, Logitech, NBC, Google, Apple, McDonald's, Uber, Mastercard, and more.

Her surrealistic process begins with expansive cityscapes while piloting drones, scaling skyscrapers, or hanging out of helicopters. She then transforms the original image, bringing photos to life with her fingers. Taking inspiration from Mother Nature, she uses water and light as a paintbrush; snow turns into speckles, street lamps become glowing orbs, and water droplets take on abstract forms as she edits on the go using an array of mobile apps.

In Swopes' lessons, she preaches the sublime serendipity of allowing yourself to take risks rather than trying to fit into preconceived notions of what your work should look like. She encourages young artists and entrepreneurs to look past the details and focus on the big picture, and embrace ideas rather than an impossible ideal of perfection.

About the Artist

As one of the original iPhone artists, Elise Swopes learned to connect with a worldwide audience of millions by melding art with a message. Since then, the Brooklyn-based creator has worked on countless campaigns showcasing her surreal cityscapes and colorful style with brands like Adobe, Apple, American Music Awards, Logitech, and more. She’s established herself as a leader in the crypto field through her top-selling artwork and tireless support of other creators.