Despite compelling argument that she should become an architect, Liz Collins graduated from The University of Colorado with a Bachelors of Fine Art and a lot of “tsssk tsssk’s” from the sidelines. Noting her artwork's odd perspective with walls and windows out of plumb the consensus was that it was just as well she didn't follow their advise. It is exactly this off-kilter look that has become the signature style of her work.
Collins began by doing serigraphs (silkscreen prints) and developed the whimsical style that continues today. Successful with the serigraphs for the next 15 years she then decided to take the gamble for change, picked up an oil pastel and never looked back. For another 15 years she worked solely with oil pastels on paper, then began exciting new experimentation with mixed media such as oil paint, pastel and torn paper on canvas and board. Evident in every medium is her familiar infusion of life and movement in all things.
"Life is my inspiration", she says, but particularly she is moved by a simple past: a barn at dawn, or the pure act of picking a pear from the branch of a tree. In an increasingly complex world she is currently inspired by more basic forms and images. Her work has seen the "travelogue series", the "home-life series", the "nostalgia series". Her "road series" takes us through the rolling hills and blind curves of life.
Liz Collins' artwork is currently sold in galleries and shops throughout the country AND at art shows and festivals. She loves the travel, the interaction and the new inspiration that comes from distant places.
AWARDS : Liz has been honored with many awards throughout her career, most notably, 1st , 2nd and 3rd places at the Sausalito Art Festival and Denver's Cherry Creek Arts Festival (the top two shows in the country). She has also served as an art juror at several festivals , including twice for the Sausalito Art Festival. But the biggest award of all is that the dream she followed continues to bring not only great joy, but support in personal growth and constant change.
