Elizabeth Becker's journey as a painter is one marked by passion, introspection, and a profound connection to nature. From her childhood days painting in a garden to earning degrees in Fine Art, Psychology, and Art Education, Becker's experiences have shaped her distinctive artistic voice. Known for her delicate yet expressive watercolors, she invites viewers into a serene world where art becomes a bridge between inner emotions and the natural world. In this interview, Becker opens up about her artistic process, the evolution of her style, and the challenges she's faced along the way. Her thoughtful reflections offer insights into the deeper meanings behind her work and valuable advice for emerging artists navigating their own creative paths.
Breathe No.2,2020, Watercolor on Paper
Q. How did your journey as a painter begin, and what initially drew you to this form of expression?
A: I began taking painting lessons as a child and fell in love with it from the start. My first art teacher had a large garden where we learned to paint from observation. Art has always been therapeutic for me, both as an escape and a means of expression. Painting helped me process and express my emotions; it always felt cathartic and meditative. I focused on drawing and painting in high school and went on to attend the University of the Arts and Pennsylvania College of Art & Design for Fine Art. I graduated from Millersville University with a BA in Psychology and a BSE in Art Education.
Q. Watercolor is known for being both delicate and challenging. Can you describe your process when working with this medium?
A: Unlike oils or acrylics, watercolors are transparent, so you need to get things right on the first try. You can’t work over mistakes, and values must be built up in layers. Knowing how much water to use is essential to achieve different effects. I love to paint expressively, using plenty of water to allow the paint to flow and bleed together. I’m never quite sure how the painting will turn out, and I cherish the beautiful blooms that occur as it dries. It’s the experimentation and lack of control that keep me engaged with the medium and excited about the process.
Untitled, 2024, Watercolor on Paper
Q. Many of your paintings evoke a sense of serenity and connection with nature. Is there a deeper message or theme you aim to convey through your art?
A: Achieving a sense of serenity and self-reflection is important to me in my artwork. No matter what I paint, I want my viewers to feel inspired to take a deep breath and look inward as they engage with it. I hope my paintings feel intimate and personal. My connection with nature is very spiritual and therapeutic; I find beauty and inspiration in the intricate details of the natural world that are often overlooked. I want to pause and take time to capture those meditative moments and share that experience with others.
Q. When working on a portrait, how do you balance accuracy with your artistic interpretation, especially when using a fluid medium like watercolor?
A: I start with a fairly accurate sketch of the portrait, then begin painting loosely and expressively. Sometimes, I squeeze water onto the page with a sponge, allowing the paint to flow, bleed together, and bloom. Many of my portraits begin very abstractly, and I add details in varying stages as the paint dries. I often step back to check my progress, trying to provide just enough information for the viewer to fill in the blanks with their imagination. I’m generally more interested in capturing emotional essence than achieving a likeness. To me, abstraction brings us closer to how things truly are, not just how they appear.
Identity No.7, 2020, Watercolor on Paper
Q. When choosing to depict the female form, how do you approach portraying strength, vulnerability, or other aspects of the subject’s character?
A: Emotion often comes through in the pose. Strength can be conveyed through a confident stance, typically characterized by a straight back, open chest, and relaxed shoulders. The subject might have her chin up or look directly into the viewer’s eyes. Vulnerability, on the other hand, can be represented through a more sensitive pose, such as being curled inward, holding or covering herself with her arms, or looking down or away from the viewer, perhaps with her eyes closed.
Q. What challenges have you faced throughout your artistic career, and how have they shaped you as an artist?
A: In the early years of my college education, many people told me that I wouldn’t be able to make a living solely as a fine artist, suggesting I pursue art education or art therapy instead. I listened to their advice and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Art Education. While I’m grateful for my education and experience in these fields, after graduating, I spent several years in social jobs that didn’t suit my introverted personality. As a teacher, I was too overwhelmed and burnt out to pursue my own painting. As a Behavioral Health Specialist, I often found myself bored, daydreaming about painting during work. This motivated me to spend as much of my free time as possible in my studio, building my portfolio and selling my artwork online. Eventually, I was able to turn painting into my full-time career. Part of that career includes traveling and participating in art shows, which has presented another challenge. Art shows require significant time, energy, and effort outside of the studio, so I’m working to find a better balance. Additionally, I face the challenge of receiving feedback and criticism from many different perspectives. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to tune into my intuition and listen to my own inner voice as an artist.
Mend No.18, 2023, Watercolor on paper
Q. How has your style evolved over the years? Are there any key turning points in your development as a painter?
A: I started painting primarily with acrylics as a child and then transitioned to oils in college. My style has always been loose and expressive, but my earlier paintings tended to be darker with fuller compositions. My last course in college focused on watercolor, which I fell in love with. The experimentation and fluidity of the medium ignited a new passion in me. Naturally, watercolor is more delicate and dries lighter, leading my work to become brighter as a result. I also began to notice that when viewing the work of other artists, I was often drawn to their unfinished sketches more than their completed pieces. For instance, I was captivated by Andrew Wyeth’s loose, gestural studies that preceded his highly realistic finished paintings. I started to leave my works in a more unfinished, sketchy, and abstract state. The use of white space and minimalism has become increasingly important to my style.
Q. Are there any new projects or themes you're excited to explore in the near future?
A: I’ve been exploring more detailed work, fuller compositions, and larger-scale pieces lately. I’m particularly excited about a collection of birds and branches I’ve been working on, loosely inspired by Audubon. I’m also currently developing some nature collections. Living in a forest bordering a state park, I try to hike or run on the trails every day. This time in nature greatly inspires my practice. Over the years, I’ve collected various natural objects during my hikes, keeping them in boxes in my studio or scattered on shelves around my home. I’ve been wanting to find a way to portray and share them, so I’ve been arranging them into paintings.
Infinite,2015, Watercolor on paper
Q. What advice would you give to emerging artists who are just starting their own creative journeys?
A: Believe in yourself and your art. If you’re passionate, others will be drawn to that passion. Be authentic and listen to your inner voice. Pursue what inspires you as an artist. You will encounter plenty of criticism and feedback from people with various perspectives, which can be confusing if you try to heed everyone’s opinions. Hold their comments loosely and always tune in to your own inner knowing. As Walt Whitman said, “Re-examine all you have been told...and dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem.” Andy Warhol also advised, “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” Our role as artists is to create, not to police others' reactions. As long as you believe in yourself and stay true to your vision as an artist, I believe there’s a way to market and sell your artwork.
Want to see more from Elizabeth Becker make sure to follow her on Instagram and visit elizabethbeckerart.com.
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