Interview
Elizabeth Kilchoer
Elizabeth’s creative journey started as an art student with many hours in the studios and galleries which lead to her bachelors in Fine Art. It has evolved through the years as she embraced motherhood, a career as an educator and the many life experiences that have shaped who she is as an artist today. Her art career was placed on hold as she raised her children and became a full time educator. After a 25 year hiatus, and now that her children have grown, Elizabeth has once again embraced her artistic passion. Her work is inspired by the many meaningful symbols that speak from the soul and forge a connection between what we feel to what we experience. From abstract images that that invite the mind to enter an alternate reality, to imagery that holds a special meaning, each piece is a work from the heart and soul of the artist.
Through the interplay of light, shadow, and form, her images reveal hidden dimensions, that visually grabs you and speaks to a part of you that resonates in a meaningful and powerful way. Each piece becomes a window into another perspective, challenging us to see not just the world, but our place within it, differently. Elizabeth’s work has been displayed in spiritual spaces, private homes as well as various galleries. Currently, she is focusing her artistic energy into creating pieces that allow her to speak from her soul and release healing energy in to the universe. Through this internal process brought to life on canvas, she hopes to inspire and influence others to slow down and savor what life has to offer. After focusing on being an educator for the past almost 30 years, Elizabeth has reignited her spark for creativity and is thriving once again. Not only has her inner energy been renewed, but she is thrilled and excited as she paves her way to retirement in the next 4-5 years. She plans on spending her retirement years putting her creative energy out into the universe and enjoying life tot its fullest!
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My creative journey started as an art student with many hours in the studios and galleries which lead to my bachelors in Fine Art. It has evolved through the years as I embraced motherhood, a career as an educator and the many life experiences that have shaped who I am as an artist today. My art career was placed on hold as I raised my children and became a full time educator. After a 25 year hiatus, and now that my children have grown, I have once again embraced my artistic passion.”
What inspires you?
“My work is inspired by the many meaningful symbols that speak from the soul and forge a connection between what we feel to what we experience. From abstract images that that invite the mind to enter an alternate reality, to imagery that holds a special meaning, each piece is a work from the heart and soul of the artist. Through the interplay of light, shadow, and form, my images reveal hidden dimensions, that visually grabs you and speaks to a part of you that resonates in a meaningful and powerful way. Each piece becomes a window into another perspective, challenging us to see not just the world, but our place within it, differently.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“There are many meaningful symbols that I incorporate in to my creative expression. Some of the major themes include transformation, embracing change through life's stages, acceptance and and trusting what the universe has to provide its own time. The lotus flower is a symbol of the ability to rise out of the darkness and radiate beauty into the world. The dandelion represents, letting go and acceptance of life's journey. The butterfly represents metamorphosis and transformation into a stronger, more beautiful version of the self. The dragonfly represents healing and resilience. The lady bug is considered the be the guardian and protector of the garden. The message I wish to send to others through my painting is that we all ebb and flow through life's difficulties and triumphant moments. Creating art for me is a personal release from an uncertain world and helps ground me in a way that gives me hope and meaning to continue to create and share with others.”
How would you describe your work?
“Through the interplay of light, shadow, and form, my images reveal hidden dimensions, that visually grabs you and speaks to a part of you that resonates in a meaningful and powerful way. Each piece becomes a window into another perspective, challenging us to see not just the world, but our place within it, differently. Creating art for me is a personal release from an uncertain world and helps ground me in a way that gives me hope and meaning to continue to create and share with others. My favorite saying is ‘One day you will tell the story of how you overcame what you went through and it will be someone's else's survival guide.’ I truly believe that my paintings are my way of expressing my story to inspire and influence other to embrace what the world has to offer- in good times and in bad.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am mostly attracted to impressionistic or surreal images that morph images together to create something much more expansive that the sum of its parts. I would say that I am mostly influenced by Van Gogh with his expressive brush strokes along with Picasso and Salvador Dali with their surprising imagery, deep symbolism and surreal style.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is grounded in symbolism and emotional release. First and foremost, it is my ‘art therapy’ that allows me to escape into my own inner world to express who I am and what is important to me in my journey through life. I typically start with an image that resonates with me, either via reference picture outlined on canvas or a conglomeration of images from my various sketches that I morph into my own vision. Once the creative process takes over, I let the painting take on a life of its own and allow the vision to ‘become’ rather than meticulously force the process for a particular outcome. I often come back to it with fresh eyes which allows me to tweek anything that doesn't visually vibe or just add any finishing touches.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The artists of society have always been a window into the soul of the people. I believe the artist role in society is to keep the human side of creativity alive and thriving in a world filled with automaticity and AI. In today's world, where everything is run by AI and the lines between reality and Artificial Intelligence are often blurred beyond recognition, it is essential that the creativity of the human mind be embraced and supported. I hope that in the future the world will, once again, swing the pendulum of creativity back to embracing the ‘human’ aspect of art making while also incorporating the new and exciting ways of expressing that creativity.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes, my most recent exhibition is at The World Art Collection online gallery with my artist profile and 16 paintings displayed since February. I also had a solo show at the Kilchoer Art Therapy Gallery OCUUC (Orange Coast Unitarian Univerasalist Church) curated by Linda Spery. Over 20 of my paintings were displayed in a solo exhibition themed with symbolic elements such was dandelions, lotus flowers, butterflies as a reflection of growth and acceptance of life’s hardships and celebrations!”
