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
The FAÇeADE Project’s mission is to link individuals to the human experience through fine art portraits. These people gave me the time to paint them from life while sharing their story. We recorded our conversation and documented their experiences.
The FAÇeADE Project
The FAÇeADE Project’s mission is to link individuals to the human experience through fine art portraits. These people gave me the time to paint them from life while sharing their story. We recorded our conversation and documented their experiences.
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.
For’ever Grateful and Inspired,
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.
