isendyouthis.com

artportfolio: Liz Shewan

Liz Shewan

Liz Shewan

Paint, Sculpture, Illustrate, Photography

Devon
United Kingdom

Websites


Current Exhibitions

+ Past Exhibitions

Galleries

  • Aroma Cafe, Lyme Regis
  • Earth Design, Beaminster
  • Illminster Arts Centre, Illminster
  • Jane Fuest Gallery, Alresford
  • Johnson's Gallery, Battersea
  • Jolin Gallery, Sherbourne
  • Liz Shewan's Studio, Chard
  • Lutyens Gallery, Taunton
  • Moontree Gallery, Boscombe
  • The Eagle Tavern, Chard
  • The Malthouse Gallery, LYME REGIS
  • The Pierrepoint Gallery, Bridport
  • The Town Mill Malthouse, Lyme Regis
  • Will's Art Warehouse, London
Family Outing

Family Outing

Original
Mixed Media on Canvas
50cm x 50cm

Introduction

I am Liz Shewan and I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  I left Brazil when I was four to live in England where I now reside.  As a child I was fascinated by animals, nature, spirituality, photography and fine arts.  I have dedicated my life to these disciplines which has influenced and inspired my art.

I love depicting animals, nature and people. I walk in the countryside with my dog ... and find myself remembering moments and portraying them in a rather naive illustrative way; with swirly magical trees and the breath of the wind moving in the skies; and our beloved loyal and best friend, the dog, always being a feature.  I like to express the sense of family and relationships; and variations on the theme of the statement of 'Light at the end of the Tunnel' based around everyday life experiences. Much of the time whilst working I will follow my impulse and not think about what I am doing.  When I start a piece I work through my emotions.  I both paint and sculpt, often combing the two.

Many of my paintings are, but not all, using a plaster type ingredient on canvas which produces the most wonderful texture to each painting - almost like an etching relief and sculptural effect on the canvas, using colours to accentuate the mood with acrylics.  They are very tactile and really need to be seen in the flesh to truly appreciate their beauty (confirmed by several buyers).  

My sculptures are stoneware; either glazed or layered with patina's to give the effect of a cool to the touch bronze finish. I love to work with my hands; making direct contact with the earth, as it were; and bringing my subject to life through the clay - expressing body language, body shapes and portraying their inner selves by the way they hold themselves and move within their skin.

Statement

 

I love depicting animals, nature and people. I walk in the countryside with my dog ... and find myself remembering moments and portraying them in a rather naive illustrative way; with swirly magical trees and the breath of the wind moving in the skies; and our beloved loyal and best friend, the dog, always being a feature.  I like to express the sense of family and relationships; and variations on the theme of the statement of 'Light at the end of the Tunnel' based around everyday life experiences. Much of the time whilst working I will follow my impulse and not think about what I am doing.  When I start a piece I work through my emotions.  I both paint and sculpt, often combing the two.  

 

Many of my paintings are, but not all, using a plaster type ingredient on canvas which produces the most wonderful texture to each painting - almost like an etching relief and sculptural effect on the canvas, using colours to accentuate the mood with acrylics. The swirly trees are filled with gold leaf and metallic powders in fine pale gold to add that magical rich element. The paintings are very tactile and really need to be seen in the flesh to truly appreciate their beauty. Often I will recycle old canvas and frames which are stylishly finished.

 

My sculptures are one off stoneware or earthenware pieces; either glazed or layered with patina's to give the effect of a cool to the touch bronze finish. I love to work with my hands; making direct contact with the earth, as it were; and bringing my subject to life through the clay - expressing body language, body shapes and portraying their inner selves by the way they hold themselves and move within their skin.

 

 

Biography

 

Liz Shewan was born in Sao Paulo in Brazil - a place that still holds a special place in her heart.  She moved to England when she was four years old, leaving much of her family behind - who still live there to this day.  She was sent to school in Surrey;  the thing she remembers most about those days was the smell of the artroom (her favourite place) and the echo of the gym hall - oh, and the tuckshop!  Academia was never really her style ... but one she went through before getting to where she is today.

 

Liz was fascinated by watching ... always taking photographs as she did so.  She found this easier than sketching - which is the same now.  On and off Liz was always painting and sculpting throughout most of her life - never leaving it for long when life took her in different directions.  When she left school she took a Foundation Course and studied photography at the West Surrey College of Art and in the late 1980’s.  For personal reasons she did not continue on this course; deciding to continue the self taught route.

 

Liz lead an interesting and varied career in London, which served it's purpose - but never quite satisfied her to the full.  She eventually started painting large paintings in an attempt to to fill that gap in her heart.  At this time an artist friend spotted her talent and asked her to share a show with her.  She pulled out all the stops and created a body of work in less than three months.  The show was a huge success ... she sold 90% of her work on the opening night!  It was at this moment that she decided it was time to take the plunge and carry on with it.  

 

Liz has been selling her work worldwide since then; 1999. She had a studio at Wimbeldon Art Studios in London for some years, exhibiting in London Galleries.  However, she craved the countryside ... so packed up shop and moved to the South West to live and work.  

 

Whilst she was establishing herself in her new home Liz juggled between being and artist and a youth worker.  Liz is an active member of the Visionary Arts Community, regularly facilitating educational workshops for regional artists.  She is also a self employed NLP Practitioner and Energy Healing Consultant.  She has explored many motivational healing methodologies which she expresses in her work.

 

Liz has been featured regularly in Glastonbury and the South West for the past few years through self promotion by choice. However since late 2011 galleries now also represent her.  She has a list of international clients, the numbers of which keep growing year by year. Her work is loved by art lovers, animal lovers, spiritually minded, collectors and those looking to take their first steps into the world of fine art.