Custom Oil Portraits by Elizabeth Reed
A Custom Oil Portrait is the most thoughtful way of honoring a special person, pet or place.
Commission a Portrait by Elizabeth Reed
I have spent a lifetime learning to paint fine art portraits. I look for the “Gestalt,” the way you hold your head, the way you gesture when you talk. My goal is to transcend the likeness to create your “visual biography.”
Paint Therapy
Paint therapy is my way of escaping emotional stress. Making expressive paintings that say more with less is a challenge and a pleasure. Models posed in their homes, sometimes invaded by their pets and kids. I paint the collection of weird stuff around my home and the oceanfront in Florida. The beach is the best paint therapy any day.
I have found or organized a life drawing group wherever I have lived and traveled. Artists love to share information – so we build friendships that last a lifetime. The recent lock-down did not stop my artistic community. My artist friends met from all parts of the country to draw and paint our models on zoom.
Paint Therapy
Paint therapy is my way of escaping emotional stress. Making expressive paintings that say more with less is a challenge and a pleasure. Models posed in their homes, sometimes invaded by their pets and kids. I paint the collection of weird stuff around my home and the oceanfront in Florida. The beach is the best paint therapy any day.
These are recent Paint Therapy paintings. No one can hurt me when I am painting – I escape through my brush and palette knife. You can see the results of my knowledge and practice manifested in these small paintings.
The FAÇeADE Project – A portrait of diversity
The FAÇeADE Project’s mission is to understand our community through portraiture. I observe and paint from life while recording discussions of life. The melting pot of South Florida is the perfect place to paint this portrait of diversity.
The FAÇeADE Project – A portrait of diversity
The FAÇeADE Project’s mission is to understand our community through portraiture. I observe and paint from life while recording discussions of life. The melting pot of South Florida is the perfect place to paint this portrait of diversity.
Trouvaille!
Trouvaille, something or someone lovely discovered by chance. Fine art portraits inspired by people I have met along the way.
Trouvaille!
Trouvaille, something or someone lovely discovered by chance. Fine art portraits inspired by people I have met along the way.
Trouvaille!
Trouvaille, something or someone lovely discovered by chance. Portraits from my travels.
Surface Tension
On April 20, 2010, The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. Approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days, damaging the environment and wildlife. These drawings are my reaction to the spill and our responsibility to the environment.
My drawings challenge you to consider solutions by comparing unrelated images. We can reduce global warming and restore the balance between man and nature by developing alternative energy sources. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the consequence of our insatiable need for energy. It is our global responsibility that it never happens again.
Surface Tension
On April 20, 2010, The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. Approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days, damaging the environment and wildlife. These drawings are my reaction to the spill and our responsibility to the environment.
My drawings challenge you to consider solutions by comparing unrelated images. We can reduce global warming and restore the balance between man and nature by developing alternative energy sources. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the consequence of our insatiable need for energy. It is our global responsibility that it never happens again.
Surface Tension
On April 20, 2010, The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded. Approximately 4.9 million barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Mexico for 87 days, damaging the environment and wildlife. These drawings are my reaction to the spill and our responsibility to the environment.
My drawings challenge you to consider solutions by comparing unrelated images. We can reduce global warming and restore the balance between man and nature by developing alternative energy sources. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was the consequence of our insatiable need for energy. It is our global responsibility that it never happens again.
Graphite and Silverpoint Drawings
These award winning drawings were inspired by the Lee Bontecou’s retrospective at MOCA Chicago. I am attracted to the nuances I achieve with graphite and silverpoint. Making these drawings is like playing music with a gentle touch.
Graphite and Silverpoint Drawings
These award winning drawings were inspired by the Lee Bontecou’s retrospective at MOCA Chicago. I am attracted to the nuances I achieve with graphite and silverpoint. Making these drawings is like playing music with a gentle touch.
Graphite and Silverpoint Drawings
These award winning drawings were inspired by the Lee Bontecou’s retrospective at MOCA Chicago. I am attracted to the nuances I achieve with graphite and silverpoint. Making these drawings is like playing music with a gentle touch.
Vestiges
I live in South Florida where I share my suburban home with reptiles, tropical birds, and amphibians. The coral beneath my feet once was a slow-moving river. It is now drained to accommodate lawns, streets, and parks.
The Vestige series compares images with similar shape and differing meaning. Each composition compares a human element with a natural element. The spine is the human center of mobility and function. The Everglades were once a spine of percolating coral and limestone until destroyed by development. These drawings are an homage to the Everglades.
Vestiges
I live in South Florida where I share my suburban home with reptiles, tropical birds, and amphibians. The coral beneath my feet once was a slow-moving river. It is now drained to accommodate lawns, streets, and parks.
The Vestige series compares images with similar shape and differing meaning. Each composition compares a human element with a natural element. The spine is the human center of mobility and function. The Everglades were once a spine of percolating coral and limestone until destroyed by development. These drawings are an homage to the Everglades.
Vestiges
I live in South Florida where I share my suburban home with reptiles, tropical birds, and amphibians. The coral beneath my feet once was a slow-moving river. It is now drained to accommodate lawns, streets, and parks.
The Vestige series compares images with similar shape and differing meaning. Each composition compares a human element with a natural element. The spine is the human center of mobility and function. The Everglades were once a spine of percolating coral and limestone until destroyed by development. These drawings are an homage to the Everglades.
Gifts from the Sea
This series of imaginary shells was inspired by Anne Morrow Lindberg’s book “A Gift from the Sea.” Lindberg wrote the book during a sabbatical on the west coast of Florida. I took three words from her comparison of shells to a woman’s life – a vessel, a shield and a cradle. These pieces have power in a group.
Gifts from the Sea
This series of imaginary shells was inspired by Anne Morrow Lindberg’s book “A Gift from the Sea.” Lindberg wrote the book during a sabbatical on the west coast of Florida. I took three words from her comparison of shells to a woman’s life – a vessel, a shield and a cradle. These pieces have power in a group.
Gifts from the Sea
This series of imaginary shells was inspired by Anne Morrow Lindberg’s book “A Gift from the Sea.” Lindberg wrote the book during a sabbatical on the west coast of Florida. I took three words from her comparison of shells to a woman’s life – a vessel, a shield and a cradle. These pieces have power in a group.
LIFE! and from life
A collection of award winning drawings and paintings about life and drawn from life.
LIFE! and from life
A collection of award winning drawings and paintings about life and drawn from life.
LIFE! and from life
A collection of award winning drawings and paintings about life and drawn from life.
“In 2017 I married a woman very much adored by her father. I knew it was difficult for him to let her go and I needed to express some degree of understanding in that regard. I decided to commission my first painting as a gift to her parents and went straight to Elizabeth. She had never met my bride. Yet through pictures, a brief autobiography I wrote and some great conversation, Elizabeth was able to capture her for who she is. Her strengths shine in the portrait, as does her fragility.”
Forever Grateful and Inspired,
“Elizabeth Reed, aka Libby, is an artist beyond compare. Her compositions are intricate, her methods are her own and the resulting art is exquisite.
The breadth of Libby’s mediums and techniques complement the depth of her art. Libby is inspired by nature, people, society and her inner drive, desire and insights.
She tackles our most difficult societal issues (school shootings, climate change, inequity) with depth of understanding and passion. Her portraits are as compelling as her landscapes, her pencil drawings as inclusive-intense as her oil paintings.
Libby does not stand still always seeking, admiring and implementing new techniques and points of view. She is stirred from within and her passion for artistic representation of emotion and reality pours from her in her own unique, deep way in oil, pencil, charcoal and metal point.
Libby is a natural artist always seeking to learn and try more. Her talent matches her enthusiasm and willingness to dig down. Luckily for the rest of us Libby lives, thinks and creates. Our world is better for it.”
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the privilege of being under the mentorship of Elizabeth Reed, or Libby as I like to call her. Libby is my first and most influential mentor. She was the catalyst to my artistic development; her offering me such a comprehensive knowledge of art and design has been instrumental in my growth and development as an artist. Being her student meant many afternoons spent in intense instruction. But perhaps what is most memorable about the time I spent as her student, is her compassionate nature, and her generosity. Libby fulfills every responsibility of an excellent mentor and teacher. Her invaluable knowledge has been the greatest gift. Being her student is the greatest pleasure.”
Lessons About Diversity Taught by The Sneetches
I read voraciously to my children when they were young. Dr. Seuss was my absolute favorite. The Sneetches envision prejudice and racism from the eyes of a child. Dr. Seuss makes prejudice look ridiculous. Here's how this children's story teaches lessons about...
Happy Earth Day! So…What’s Your Individual Environmental Responsibility?
Happy Earth Day! So...What’s Your Individual Environmental Responsibility? The History of Earth Day Individual Environmental Responsibility was non-existent before 1970. The Viet Nam war was raging and hippie culture was in full swing. Our cars were inefficient...
Spring Mental Weeding – Regrets or What ifs?
Spring Mental Weeding Regrets or "What Ifs?" “Walk lightly in the spring; Mother Earth is pregnant.” Native American Indian (Kiowa) Proverb Spring Mental Weeding. Spring is the time for reflection, rebirth and new growth. Most of us are sick of working long hours...
Last Night I Almost Sipped and Sassed-It Was a Close One!
Last Night I Almost Sipped and Sassed... It Was A Close One! How I Applied The Slight Edge to Remain a Sober Sister It was a close one. I was soooo tempted. I almost Sipped and Sassed last night. That wonderful ritual of wine-o'clock. You know it...time to...
Don’t Hang Up!…This is the Fire Department!
Don't Hang Up!...This is the Fire Department! Fire and IKIGAI Yup. I invited my friends for chili and a fire-pit last Friday night. Hint: A great way to clean your house is to invite friends for dinner. My brilliant idea of starting the chili in the cast iron...
Thanksgiving – I See You!
Thanksgiving and the Declaration of Interdependence On Sunday morning, while I gathered my things for a 30-mile bike ride on AIA with my friend, Georgeta Fondos, I listened to “On Being” on NPR. Krista Tippett interviewed poet laureate Richard Blanco about his book,...
The Influence of Lee Bontecou
The Influence of Lee Bontecou In 2005, my mom was always in the hospital. She had the good taste to go to Northwestern on the Northside of Chicago, spitting distance from The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Lee Bontecou's retrospective was exhibited while I was...
Our Little Roses Ministries – Self Portrait Project
Our Little Roses Ministries - The Self Portrait Project April, 2013 This life-changing adventure started when my 15-year-old daughter, Mem, wanted to go on a mission trip to Honduras. Our Youth Group director from St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church had a hard time...
What is a Visual Biography?
How do we visually describe time? What compositional tools are the most effective? Time could be images laid in a “time” line. A linear composition would present images in order.
