Story by Ashley Elvington • Higher Grounds Photography
The Art of... feature
SHE DESCRIBES HER ART AS “somewhat graphic but natural in subject matter,” with her
tion for which you hoped. Sometimes you’ll create your best work, and it won’t make the show.
palette becoming more neutral over time. With her collages, Elizabeth enjoys re-using materials.
Sometimes you’ll work your hardest, and people will still say negative things. That’s just how
“As a child, I spent summer afternoons with my Nana working jigsaw puzzles. She taught me
life goes sometimes. I hope to encourage others to continue their passion regardless of whether
organization, patience, and how to be observant. I utilize the same skills within my collages. I
they’re accepted or not.” Whether she’s in the classroom or researching the great artists of our
believe it to be a reflection of the time I spent with her. I like to save bits of paper, envelopes,
time, Elizabeth is proud to express herself openly each day. “Along with the artist title comes
stickers, magazine clippings, or ribbons and fit them together like puzzles. I also like searching
the expectation for quirky clothes and unusual behaviors. I enjoy expressing myself through my
for lost pictures, patterns, and textures. These works are mostly inspired by the elements that I
clothes, acting goofy in my classroom, and sharing my creations with the world. I’m so thankful
find.” She was introduced to collage-making her sophomore year in college after completing her
to be alive at a time when sharing my work is as simple as snapping a photo and uploading it to
first art journal. “One of my professors introduced me to the form of art-making and made us buy
Instagram or creating a blog post. Freedom of expression is what I appreciate most as an artist.”
a book about it. I was hooked. I carried a bag to work with me all summer with the book, paints,
Her goal is to create something every day, whether or not she’s pleased with the end result.
scraps of paper, magazines, and drawing tools. This finished book is one of my favorite works now
She teaches this in the classroom as well. “I encourage my students to keep adding to works
because of how much I discovered about my artistic voice while creating it.” Another favorite is a
with which they aren’t satisfied. Creating art is much like hiking on a hill. You’re almost at the top
still life painting she completed under the guidance of Professor Gately at FMU. “This represents
when you want to give up. Then all of a sudden, elements of your work start to come together if
my realization that challenging myself and trying new things is always a good idea. I wasn’t sure
you keep working, and it’s all downhill from there.” She also has plans to one day o wn a gallery
how the painting would turn out because it was required to be as realistic as possible. Up until
or an artist co-op, called Atelier Ansley, also the name of her website and Etsy store. As for now,
this point, I had mostly created with easy subject matter with which I felt comfortable. I realized
Elizabeth is staying busy working on upcoming projects. This spring, she will be participating
afterwards that I was capable of more.”
in Downtown Florence’s Play Me, I’m Yours. “This project features artists’ work painted on pia-
For Elizabeth, there’s no medium that she prefers over the other. “I enjoy pencil sketching, pen
nos. The pianos are placed in local restaurants and businesses, and anyone who knows how to
and ink, colored pencil, watercolor pencils, and paint. Just to name a few.” As for inspiration,
play is welcome to sit down and share their talents. I’m working to paint a piano with my good
Elizabeth turns to nature and memories from her childhood. “I was lucky enough to grow up with
friend and fellow artist Amanda Taylor. I can’t wait to see our piano out in the community being
four amazing grandparents. My granny introduced me to the beach as a kid. She and I would of-
played!” She’s also greatly anticipating her Pieces exhibition at the Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery at the
ten go shelling on the beach. I loved her explanations and stories of oysters that resembled angel
Florence Library this September. “This is the first time I’ve done a full one-woman exhibition. I’m
wings, slippers, and the colors of our finds. This is the sole inspiration for my paintings, and I have
looking forward to sharing my work within the community, speaking about my creative process,
a collection of glass containers in my home filled with shells.” She also enjoys painting mandalas,
and seeing people connect with my art. Even more exciting is that my advanced placement stu-
figure drawings, and explorations in mark-making. “I really like the repetition involved in creating
dents will follow-up in October with their own show in the same gallery! I’m so excited to give my
mandalas. Shapes, colors, and patterns repeat within them. Recently I’ve experimented with
students the opportunity to share their work within the community, and I can’t wait to work with
figure drawing in order to continue improving my drawing skills. I never had the opportunity to
them to put a show together this fall.”
take this course in college; however, I’ve found drawing the human figure easier than I expected.
If you ask Elizabeth, her life has been a wonderful whirlwind of artistic opportunities. “Art has
Mark-making is an experiment in expanding the marks that I make while drawing. I enjoy trying
given me the opportunity to give back to the community which has given everything to me. I’m
to discover new ways to represent forms, textures, and values by creating new marks.”
thankful to invest in students the way in which I was invested at an early age. Many art teachers
While artists Robert Lange and Chuck Close are influential, Elizabeth is drawn to Georgia
have greatly influenced and supported my work, and I can’t express enough gratitude to them
O’Keeffe’s work. “I read her biography recently and felt a strong connection to her life. Her strug-
for believing in me. Now I get to promote my students, believe in them, encourage, and support
gles, ideas, and motives reminded me of some of my own. I also admire her strong recognition
them the way that I was supported!”
of herself, her choice to roam throughout life, and her preference for a simple, minimalist wardrobe.” Lange inspires her to “paint differently,” and Close’s personal struggles have motivated her
despite her failures. “The hardest lesson to learn is that your work won’t always get the recogni-
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APRIL 2016
Elizabeth Graham resides in Florence, South Carolina, where she is an art teacher at South Florence High
School. This July, Elizabeth will be marrying her sweetheart, Matthew. To view more of her work, visit www.
elizabethraye.com. She is also on Twitter (@AtelierEliRaye) and Instagram (@ElizabethRaye).
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