How does nature know the exact hues of color and right layers of texture needed to bring remarkable beauty to the human eye? Satisfying to many, you would not imagine this picture getting any better. However, one impressionist landscape painter, Elizabeth Rhoades, has a gift for capturing the dreamy mixture of tree lines across the sky and perfectly blended color tones that float across the horizon.
Rhoades is a fine artist that sees beyond the natural picture and recreates the scene with an added feeling of inspiration, gentleness and grace. Clouds begin to drift; rivers flow and trees appear vibrant and soft. Unexplainable, Elizabeth’s plein air paintings are able to capture that special moment in time when all feels right with the world.
Noted as an impressionist landscape painter, this artist has been practicing and perfecting her watercolor paintings since 1973. She received an MS in Arts and Liberal Sciences at Wesleyan University and a BS in Art Education at Southern Connecticut State University. Other coursework includes: Bennington College, Vermont, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, the University of New England and the University of Bridgeport.
Rhoades reveled in learning everything that she could about watercolor and plein air painting. While working under the guidance of master artists, Elizabeth realized her calling with pastels. An emotional connection with nature was made and she found herself able to relate to the calming tranquility. Just as her mother had a passion for figurative painting, Rhoades found her own personal love with art from the beauty that nature presented.
“In my work, I am taking you to a special place. In this place you feel that you are safe, undisturbed, that the world around you is filled with peace, and you have solitude. There is a sense of timelessness, and you can reflect and contemplate.”
From 1973 to 2014, Elizabeth held various art teaching positions at public schools while raising her family. However, she never abandoned her love for art and kept active on a part-time basis. Her focus is now on full time plein air painting and hosting occasional workshops where she teaches others her award-winning pastel technique. Everything from composition, light and layering can be studied at her scheduled classes.
Elizabeth Rhoades, Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, among many other organizations, takes part in many painting events and exhibits her work both solo and group, including Audubon Artists, Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society, New England Watercolor Society and the International Open Exhibition, Pastels USA, The Pastel Society of the West Coast, CA.
Forty years have not gone unrecognized with countless awards and recognitions earned: Merit Award, Salmagundi Club NYC, 2019 135th Annual Members’ Exhibition, “Trickling Down”, Pastel Society of America Award, American Artists Professional League 89th Grand National Exhibition, October 2017 “Breathless” and President’s Choice Award: Monson Arts Council, Monson, MA, March 2016 “Song of the Tree Frogs”, as well as many others.
Elizabeth Rhoades has made a name for herself with her inspirational style of a beautiful world. You can view her work at Edgehill Senior Living in Stamford, Connecticut and The Commons at Lincoln, Lincoln, Massachusetts, or here: www.elizabethrhoadesfineart.com.
