Elizabeth Shull

Elizabeth Shull in front of her painting, El Tecolote, 48 x 36 inches, acrylic, graphite, oil pastel.

Elizabeth Shull was born and raised in Southern California and lives in Los Angeles. As a painter her predominant intention is to encourage visual exploration and elicit thinking beyond the predictable. Elizabeth’s interest in and exploration of texture represents the layering of past and immediate history infused with sensory memories. By layering and creating texture there is an archeological direction between the clearly visible and the obscure. Elizabeth received an undergraduate degree with honors from University of California, Santa Cruz and holds an MFA from Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles.

Can you tell us a bit about the process of making your work? 

Usually I start with an idea that comes from a visual trigger that stirs up a collection of memories which then sends me down a rabbit hole of metaphors. I don’t do a preliminary sketch, I just go for it, challenging my ability to translate at that moment. Drawing is a way to preserve and pass along experiences. Everything is related to something, everything is a part of something and these relationships feed my imagination. It is extremely gratifying to get lost in spontaneous decisions and the risk taking necessary to develop something outside myself.

What are you working on at the moment?

I have felt personal pressure to get back to painting, away from the drawings, so right now I have something up on the wall. It looks at me but I try not to look at it. The conflict comes from the satisfying short term journeys of the drawings versus the long trip taken with a painting...poem battling a novel. I’m certain it is a reflection of our pandemic times...or maybe not.

You're in the process of making these prolific drawings, over 150 in total. Can you talk about your output and studio practice?

Elizabeth’s studio.

Over time I have learned to respect my rhythm, always exploring, investigating and collecting and not being worried about measuring output. I have found the concentration and fluid journey of completing a drawing in a single session to be very satisfying. Sharing my work has been a self inflicted struggle. In the past couple of years I’ve experienced some powerful life events that have been the catalyst for revealing my work.

What are some references you draw upon in your work? Are there any themes in particular that you like to focus on when creating?

I am enthralled with the natural world and being outdoors. Of course my environment provides my inspirational backbone so the ocean, night sky, and birds regularly prompt many ideas. I am fascinated by history and science, the passage of time, connections, cause and effect, and the endless trail of visual and literal information. Huge thoughts come from this fascination so perhaps that is why the small drawings are so concise and satisfying. My work interprets something big and can be entered intimately. It takes authentic interpretation of sensory experiences to create a sense of spirituality. I react to what I’m thinking and fixate on developing the idea.

Maybe One Less Rabbit
5 x 5 inches
Colored pencils on paper

Where are some of your favorite spaces that support contemporary art or design? Now that the art has an online presence has that changed?

Evidence of creativity is ubiquitous and can be overwhelming. I live in Los Angeles where there is no shortage of amazing places to call favorites. My list could be pages. Places I most admire are a combination of architecture, art, horticulture, geology, archeology, and culinary culture...so a rich conglomerate of past and present history. With the expanding online presence of art on social media I have appreciated the dialogue and connections made. This has allowed me to ease into sharing my work and let things unfold organically.

Do you have any shows coming up? Anything else you would like to share?

Currently my work is at Simard Bilodeau Contemporary in LA (Heads Full of Poetry)through August. This is an exhibit co-curated by Emma Larsson (@zebrakadebra) and Eve-Marie Bilodeau (@simard_bilodeau_contemporary). The inspiration for the exhibit comes from the CoBrA Movement (late 1940’s). I chose to explore intuitive thought and imagination carried forth from childhood. 

I have a couple other projects taking shape.

Elizabeth Shull’s work is included in our show “Illuminated,” July 9th - Aug. 30th, 2021. Visit her Instagram (@elizabethshullart) and website www.eashull.com to see more of her work.