Elizabeth LaPenna

A Chicago, Il. transplant to Nashville, Tn., Elizabeth LaPenna is an award winning visual artist whose work is held in both private and corporate collections throughout the United States. She is married and has three children. Prior to becoming a full-time artist Elizabeth worked as an artist’s agent, gallery assistant, and art teacher. She is responsible for establishing the art department and teaching art at Fairview School in Winter Park, Fla. She studied at Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y., Queens College, Charlotte, N.C., Maitland Art Center, Maitland, Fla., and Rollins College, Winter Park, Fla. In addition, LaPenna studied under Edith Ferillo, Sally Miller, Blaine Hall, and Boyce Kendrick. The artist currently conducts workshops, lecture/demonstrations, and recently had a solo exhibit at the Ethel Smith Gallery in Nashville, Tn. She has been juried into various group shows such as the Customs House Museum annual exhibit and the Central South Art Exhibit. A solo exhibit at the University Club of Nashville (Vanderbilt) is scheduled for Nov.-Dec.,2012. Several years ago LaPenna switched from representational painting to working abstractly. The lure of the mysterious coupled with a love of design resulted in that decision.

From the artist’s statement: "I approach each piece from an intuitive perspective. Using a layering process which incorporates pouring, scraping, lifting, imprinting or resist, I try to remain open to ‘happenings’ as I proceed so that the end result is revealed organically. I keep the paint moving in order to create texture and form, which becomes a balancing act between order and spontaniety. As a classically trained artist, I take delight and joy in the new-found freedom that abstraction affords. My inspiration comes from many sources: my faith, light and color in nature, music, other artists, and even the materials. I have come to understand that an artist should paint for her time. She must show the horizon, metaphorically speaking."

EMAIL ELIZABETH LAPENNA: lapennastudio@comcast.net