Meet the Artist: Elizabeth Alice
Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Elizabeth Alice, a Maryland-based artist whose rich background in both Western and Chinese painting techniques has shaped her unique style.
Elizabeth’s creative journey began with a deep love for art, leading her from fashion design to illustration before she returned to her first passion: painting. In her latest collection of hand painted pumpkins designed exclusively for Cailíní Coastal, Elizabeth draws inspiration from the soft, fading colors of autumn, capturing the beauty of the changing seasons in her own distinctive way. Her work beautifully blends tradition and creativity, offering a fresh perspective. We can't wait for you to learn more about Elizabeth and her work!
xx Meg
CC: Tell us about your background and how you got your start as an artist.
EA: I have loved to draw and paint from the time I could hold a pencil. My mom tells a story of when I was two years old and a preschool teacher commented on my drawing ability. I became very serious about art in middle school, and I knew I wanted a career in a creative field. I earned my degree in fashion design and worked in the industry briefly. After working as an illustrator for several years, I returned to my “first love” of painting about five years ago.
(Photo Credit: Elizabeth Alice)
CC: In what style do you paint/how would you describe your style?
EA: I am mixed race, Chinese and French, so my style, which has been informed by all of the different techniques I have learned, is a reflection of who I am. I trained in traditional Western painting like watercolors and oils, but I also learned Chinese painting as a teenager. The over-simplified way I describe the difference is that in Western art, you typically draw an outline and then fill it in. But in Chinese painting, you use the shape of the brush to create forms. Now, I combine those different painting traditions in my own way.
CC: What inspires your work?
EA: Everyday life around me, from shadows on the ground, the vintage dishes I’ve inherited from relatives, and kids running around on the beach is awe-inspiring to me as an artist. But, I believe inspiration comes from doing, so I don’t wait for inspiration to “strike.” Actually picking up the paintbrush and starting to create (anything!) is what pushes me forward, giving me new ideas and the clarity to know what I want to make next.
(Photo Credit: Darina Todorova)
CC: Tell us about this collection and what inspired it?
EA: Typical “autumn” colors aren’t my favorite, so I don’t feel like I need to use them! Instead, I observe how colors in nature start to fade as the weather cools and the days get shorter. So I stick to the same colors I love, but in softer tones to reflect the changing season.
CC: What do you enjoy painting most?
EA: I love to paint flowers because they are lush with texture, especially when I can capture them in sunlight with deep shadows.
(Photo Credit: Elizabeth Alice)
CC: When you’re not painting, what will we find you doing?
EA: I spend most of my time caring for my three adorable kids, who are also my biggest cheerleaders! I also love to bake, read, sew, and grow flowers in my garden. I basically never stop creating!
SHOP THE COLLECTION
Limited Edition Hand Painted Floral Pumpkin - Large
Limited Edition Hand Painted Floral Pumpkin - Medium
Limited Edition Hand Painted Floral Pumpkin - Small
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