Elizabeth Dyer

I am a Canadian female artist who unravels a narrative on canvas that transcends the tangible. My contemporary portraits are a fusion of oil and ground marble, exhaling with a palpable, almost sculptural, and ethereal quality. Each stroke carrie...

I am a Canadian female artist who unravels a narrative on canvas that transcends the tangible. My contemporary portraits are a fusion of oil and ground marble, exhaling with a palpable, almost sculptural, and ethereal quality. Each stroke carries the essence of truth as if the portrait is an observer watching you or emerging from the canvas. Intrigued by portraiture from a young age, I drew inspiration from artists like Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, David Hockney, and others. My home is a fascinating gallery adorned with portraits that mirror her love for line work, femininity, and abstract brushwork. European summers in her youth and a family deeply connected to creativity and gardening shaped my aesthetic sensibilities. Immersed in wild gardens, historical buildings, and the studies of old masters, she developed an enduring affinity for beauty—an element that continues to permeate her work. My art reflects a blend of timidity and keen observation cultivated during these formative years. In my portraiture, I like to observe, understand, and capture the energy and character of each subject, from their everyday gestures to their overall character. The gaze of each subject becomes a defining moment and a unique aspect of my work. I studied Fine Art, Art History, and Women's Studies at the University of Guelph in Canada, followed by a postgraduate degree from Chelsea College of Art in London in 2006. After London, I returned to Toronto, immersing myself in the world of large-scale murals and exploring the chemical components of painting under the guidance of a master painter. During this period, I embarked on a transformative journey with Venetian plaster, a medium that would become integral to my distinctive style. My portraits transcend the ordinary; they aspire to capture the soul, the contemplative nature of the subjects. Whimsical and airy, my work creates space for the energy of the portrayed individuals. What sets my work apart in my artistic evolution is how I bring out the true essence of my portraits and how I treat the work as sculptural, with layers of Venetian marble—a method I adopted around fifteen years ago. Venetian plaster, with its tactile allure, imparts luminosity and a tangible sculptural feeling, preserving the subtleties of each layer of paint. I have had several exhibitions in London and Canada and recently participated in The Women and Art Fair in London and The London Art Fair.