FINE ART PASTEL PAINTING
“Art is my second language. I use color, form, and texture to connect with others and keep my still life subjects fun and simple”
Liz Kenyon
How I Approach my Work
I begin my paintings with a strong contrast of highlight and shadow, building a simple composition that creates interesting shapes. My color choices are based on the principles of art and years of experimentation.
Then, when it’s time to paint, I make myself very small and go into the scene, always questioning... “How do I feel about the light? Do the temperatures of the cast shadows and the direction of light create a line of travel through my forms?”
Finally, when I can see my spirit in the work, I know I’m finished.
Honors & Exhibitions
Liz’s fine art soft pastel paintings have been recognized locally, regionally, and internationally for more than 2 decades, receiving over 40 awards from juried shows and having 15 one-woman shows.
She is a signature member of the International Pastel Society and active in the Arizona Pastel Art Association.
Her work is highlighted in four books: Best of Worldwide Artists, Pastel, Volume I, Best of Pastel America, Volume II, Finding Your Visual Voice, and Pure Color: Best of Pastel Edition, plus numerous publications, including: Fine Art Collectors of America, Emerging Artists, 2009 as well as several web site collections.
Life-Time Artist
Liz grew up in a small rural town called Watsonville in California. The instructors at the University of Arizona encouraged her with their insights on drawing and color.
Her professional career after graduating included everything from working in design studios to owning her own ad agency, publishing firm, and illustration business.
Among Liz’s national clients were Post Cereals, Disney Studios, and Motorola. She also illustrated book covers for Harper Collins in New York for fifteen years, and when Liz wasn’t illustrating, she learned to paint with soft pastels.
She is now exclusively a fine-art, soft pastel painter. Continuing to teach workshops on pastel painting at Scottsdale Artist School and numerous venues in Arizona keeps her in touch with fresh viewpoints.