Lissi Kaplan, LA Artist Releases New Collection and Shares Children’s Book, Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats
Lissi Kaplan is a Los Angeles–based artist and author whose work bridges fine art and heartfelt storytelling. Internationally recognized for her exquisite hand-painted porcelain, her luminous floral designs have been commissioned for dignitaries, heads of state, luxury hotels, and private collectors. With her signature blend of elegance and imagination, Kaplan has built a career that celebrates the beauty hidden in life’s quiet details.
She recently released her new collection.
Her newest creative chapter unfolds through her children’s picture book, Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats, published by Little Finch Press. Each page invites readers into a whimsical watercolor world where a tiny ant named Ludee discovers joy, confidence, and creativity through the hats she makes from nature’s treasures. Blending visual grace with poetic warmth, Kaplan brings to life a timeless message—that even the smallest voice can shine when it dares to be itself.
When did your creative Journey begin?
My creative journey began with music. I studied classical voice from the time I was thirteen, inspired and trained by my mother, who was also a singer and my first teacher. She taught me not just how to use my voice, but how to listen — to the breath beneath every note, the feeling behind every phrase. That early training gave me a deep reverence for rhythm, harmony, and the art of emotional expression. Over time, my voice found a new medium in painting. I began to see color as sound — each brushstroke carrying its own melody. After studying art and design and graduating from the University of Southern California, I devoted myself to porcelain painting, where music and art seemed to merge. The precision, patience, and storytelling I once brought to song became the same qualities I brought to the porcelain surface. That union of disciplines shaped my creative language. Whether through a teacup, a painting, or now a children’s story, my purpose has always been to communicate beauty and emotion — to remind people that art, in any form, can sing to the soul.
Your hand-painted porcelain collection is adored by many. Take us through your collection.
Porcelain has always been my way of telling stories through light and color. Over the years, I’ve been honored to create one-of-a-kind collections for private collectors, luxury hotels, and dignitaries — each piece painted by hand and infused with its own quiet spirit. Two of my favorite collections are The Peninsula Beverly Hills Design and Mimi’s Garden. The Peninsula pieces were inspired by the hotel’s timeless elegance — soft florals, pale golds, and touches of romance that felt right at home in its classic tea room. Mimi’s Garden, by contrast, came straight from the heart: a joyful series of blooming flowers, butterflies, and hidden details painted in honor of someone very dear to me. Each piece begins with a story — sometimes a petal, sometimes a memory — and unfolds layer by layer in the kiln until it glows with life. I still believe porcelain holds emotion; when someone lifts one of my teacups, they’re not just holding an object, but a little piece of my heart.
What is your philosophy in life and how does it translate into your work?
My philosophy has always been to live with presence, gratitude, and grace. I believe that beauty is not a luxury — it’s a form of love, a way of honoring life itself. Whether I am painting a teacup or writing a story, my intention is to slow the world down long enough for someone to feel something gentle, hopeful, or true. As Aristotle said, “The soul thinks in images.” Those words have guided me throughout my creative life. When I learned the ancient art form of porcelain painting, I could feel that my heart was coming along for the ride. Painting each flower’s delicate petal, layer by layer, has healed my heart, found my happiness, and grounded me in a sacred place. On this journey I’ve humbly learned that even a teacup can lead you to yourself. I’ve also learned that art doesn’t have to shout to be heard — it can whisper softly and still reach the heart. That is how I try to live and create: through quiet strength, kindness, and an appreciation for the small, beautiful things that connect us all.
Tell us about The Power of the Teacup.
The Power of the Teacup was born from my lifelong love affair with porcelain. For me, a teacup is far more than a delicate vessel — it’s a symbol of grace, reflection, and shared humanity. I’ve spent years painting one-of-a-kind teacups for dignitaries, collectors, and cherished clients around the world, and through that process I discovered something timeless: when we pause to hold beauty in our hands, we remember who we are. Each page of The Power of the Teacup invites the reader to look closer — to see how art can elevate the simplest ritual into something sacred. It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, storytelling, and the gentle spaces where art and soul meet. The book reflects my belief that beauty isn’t superficial; it’s transformative. A single cup can hold a story, a memory, or even a quiet moment of healing. That philosophy continues to guide all my work today — from porcelain painting to children’s storytelling — reminding me that art, in any form, is a way of pouring love into the world.
Your newest creative chapter unfolds through your children’s picture book, Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats. What makes this story special?
Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats marks a joyful new chapter in my creative life. After years of painting porcelain and exploring the quiet poetry within a single teacup, I wanted to bring that same sense of wonder and heart to a story for children. Ludee is a tiny ant with a big imagination — she expresses herself through the whimsical hats she creates from nature’s treasures. Each day of the week, her hat changes, and with it, a new discovery about joy, creativity, and being seen for who you truly are. The story is painted in soft watercolor tones, echoing the gentleness of my porcelain work, but it carries a deeper message: that happiness begins when we celebrate our uniqueness. Ludee reminds us that the smallest voice can still shine brightly — and that beauty often begins in the quiet places where kindness and courage meet. In many ways, Ludee carries the spirit of the teacup — a vessel of imagination and love, reminding readers young and old to see the world through eyes of wonder.
What is the recurring theme in your work?
The recurring theme in my work is transformation through beauty — the quiet alchemy that happens when we pause long enough to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. Whether I’m painting porcelain or writing a children’s story, my intention is always to reflect the idea that healing and joy can be found in the smallest details. The Power of a Teacup revealed that even a simple cup can hold an entire world of reflection and grace. With Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats, that same spirit continues through a tiny character who discovers her own light by expressing her uniqueness. Both works remind us that creativity and love are inseparable — they are how we connect to one another and to ourselves. Each project I create carries that message: that art, in any form, is a language of the soul — a way to return to wonder, to gratitude, and to the beauty that’s been there all along.
Share your upcoming projects and events.
I’m thrilled to be bringing Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats to readers everywhere. This year marks the beginning of a beautiful journey for both the book and my imprint, Little Finch Press, which I created to celebrate art and storytelling that speak to the heart. In April 2026, I’ll be appearing at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at USC, where I’ll be signing copies of Ludee the Ant and Her Happy Hats and sharing the story behind Ludee’s joyful spirit. I’m also preparing my next children’s book, Lizzy the Lizard, which continues my “Tiny Tales with Big Hearts” series — a collection of stories inspired by nature, kindness, and self-discovery. Beyond my books, I’ll continue expanding my fine-art and porcelain work, exploring new collections that blend watercolor, storytelling, and timeless craftsmanship. Each project, whether on porcelain or paper, carries the same intention: to remind people that art has the power to heal, connect, and inspire joy.
Websites & Contact
Websites:
www.LissiKaplanFineArt.com
www.LissiKaplan.com
www.LittleFinchPress.com
Instagram:
@LissiKaplanFineArt
Facebook:
facebook.com/LissiKaplanFineArt
