About Me
Hello. I am Liz Connelly and I reside in Chicago, IL. I enjoy creating various types of artwork. I use various mediums including acrylic, oil, pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, and some watercolor. I love abstract art and in my abstract art, it seeks to convey feelings and emotions that words and realistic pictures don't always convey. As I start my abstract artworks, I like to splash, tone the canvas, and mark make and then look at it to "hear" what it is saying to me. The art organizations that I am involved with include one that I am president of, the Lemont Artists Guild. I am also their webmaster and curate their online exhibits: Visit their website at www.lemontartistsguild.org . I am also a member of an online group at www.ArtNxtLevel.com. In my secondary education, I studied Illustration and received a Bachelors in Fine Art from Northern Illinois University in 1998 and a Masters in Painting in 2004 from Governors State University.
My Story
What should I say about me, my life, how I became an artist? Like I am sure for many, that is difficult to put into one paragraph. I always loved drawing as a child, with one of my favorite gifts being a crayon caddy that I could swivel around and also add to it my pencils and markers. I did a drawing contest in school when I was 6, and I won first place. Granted, it was not the best drawing, but, I was determined not to trace the drawing (as some of my classmates did) and I learned, then, how important it is to be original. From then on, my parents encouraged me to study art in college and then I went on to get my MA in painting. I had a family member become sick during the time I was pursuing my masters and working full time, but I did what I had to do and helped my family member to heal and continue to do tyat to this day. The years went by and I continued to work a separate job (or jobs) from my art, but all the while staying connected to it by participating in area art groups (see "About Me") and doing my own personal art and commissions when they come about. I say to anyone that has a creative spirit, always pursue your creative side, and, never give up.
Artist Statement
Liz Connelly' s artwork is created with acrylic or oil on canvas or other mediums such as pen and ink, drawing, and watercolor or mixed media on paper. Her subject matter is created through an abstract process that she may start with toning the canvas, and/or splash, drip, and move the medium around. Then, by observing the imagery and background forming out of this process, she will evaluate and think about what the artwork will be about. Instead of having a specific subject in mind, the artwork creates its theme from this starting process and then Liz shapes the theme abstractly from her thoughts and life experiences. Liz's artwork seeks to convey imagery that comes from one's mind that can't be explained in a realistic creative manner. Life is so much more than what is tangible and seen and heard. Liz wants to convey realms beyond the sameness and mundanity and expectations that exist in everyday life. Liz seeks to be a positive light in the world and maintain a productive life that is good, honest, and kind. Creating artwork in this way allows her flexibility from the rigors and demands of what she "should" be creating. Showing her artwork in this way she can impress that each person has their own individuality and the power lies in themselves on how they express themselves in this world.