It's me again...
Here are some fast facts about me:
(that's an Office Ladies reference)
-
My name is Liz and I am an artist through and through.
-
I LOVE playing with watercolor, oil, acrylic, colored pencil, alcohol ink, charcoal and my golden retrievers.
-
I love when I've been working with charcoal for so long that it won't come off my fingers.
-
I find it unsettling and a little scary the moments just before using a brand new kneaded eraser.
-
I love drawing characters with eyes that have a direct line into your soul.
-
I'm not sad and actually proud that I can never successfully wear nail polish knowing the reason is that I'm always getting my hands dirty.
-
Would love to own a yellow house someday.
If you'd like to know more you can check out my
story below.
​
My Story
Like most artists will tell you, I fell in love with drawing and painting when I was teeny tiny. My mom will tell you I carried around a tattered basket full of crayons wherever I went. All I remember is that the basket was brown wicker and most of the crayons were worn. In fact, most had the paper missing completely, but boy… were they ever adored. The basket smelled like crayons and I loved it with my whole being. I STILL love crayons...I absolutely love the smell. If crayon-scented perfume ever comes into existence is will surely be mine! Just sayin...
I will never forget a drawing I did in 7th grade of a can of Diet Coke. I remember my teacher telling me this drawing was just amazing (chuckling just a little while typing this) I believed her though and I really think, looking back, that it is one of the stepping stones that led me to pursue art for real. Well 8-9 years later with the full support of my family (especially my dad, who also shares a passion for the arts, written and visual), I made it to the Academy of Art in San Francisco, CA. At the Academy, illustration chose me to the focus of my studies. Illustration, and the love I already had for children's books, melded like a peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich. I left the academy with a BFA in illustration.
I’m a traditional artist though. I know Photoshop quite well, but I LOVE my pencils and paints. I love reading the names of paint colors on the tubes like Cobalt, Ultramarine Blue and Alizarin Crimson. I love the smell of oil paint. It reminds me of being in school. I love color and the challenge of coming up with the best composition for a project. I love fine details and finishing touches. There is NOTHING more satisfying than placing that last highlight on a portrait.
​
So what is the plan for Liz? Well, after taking a long break to find a direction to move in artistically, which is always growing and changing, I feel like a have a path forward. I have in my grasp unending inspiration from other artists that I admire and the support and encouragement from family and friends which sheds light on the hope I have to be successful.
​
The 7th grade Diet Coke