In The Studio With Elizabeth Lennie
Background
I came back to painting 20 years ago around the time I was PADI certified. The underwater world is a magical place. I wanted to be an artist as a child but got my degree in interior design, worked for a few years in the design industry with some high profile clients, then quit to be an actor on film, stage and television for many years. While I was network voice at TVOntario I developed a prolific art practice which ironically includes book covers, most recently for a book optioned for television by Archewell Productions. So I guess you could say I have come full circle in a way, to my first instinct!
How would you describe your work?
I paint liquid landscapes. Ocean, lake and pool. Recently my night swimming series has been a way to explore the mystery and magic of the contained space of the illuminated swimming pool, but the underwater world , the beach and the lake waters of the Canadian Shield continue to fascinate me. All bodies of water have their distinct characteristics and it’s a challenge to capture the liminal nature of the moving surface.
What do you hope viewers see in your work
I hope viewers see themselves in my paintings, or that the imagery triggers a memory, real or imagined. I keep the figures deliberately anonymous to allow the viewer to insert themselves into the narrative. They are usually looking outward, above and below the surface of the water, and their physical behavior is meant to indicate a story or conversation.
What do you listen to in studio?
I listen to audiobooks walking to and from the studio, and music tracks while in studio. When I am particularly stumped I will listen to Keith Jarrett’s ‘The Koln Concert’, the Ennio Morricone soundtrack to ‘Cinema Paradiso’ (my favourite film) , or Jon Batiste ‘We Are’ and when I am in the groove, Marc Jordan ‘The is How Men Cry’, US3 ‘Hand on the Torch’ , Nick Drake, Joni Mitchel, John Mayer, Eva Cassidy, Lights…. But I do my best work to Keith Jarrett and his piano improvizations. On Monday mornings I listen to This American Life because I love how Ira Glass tells a story!
And, most importantly, what is your favorite color?
Ultramarine Blue.
CLICK HERE to view all available paintings by Elizabeth Lennie!
GARDNER COLBY GALLERY FINE ART NAPLES, FL
