Liza Smith Simpson

      Liza has enjoyed the beauty of the Tri-State area and it is reflected in her art.  She paints many local scenes, florals, animals and abstracts.  She mostly uses watercolor and acrylic mediums, but does not limit herself.  Her camera is usually in her car, ready to take a picture of a beautiful road, stream, barn or boardwalk.  Plein Aire painting is also an interest for her. She has always had an interest in geometry, realism, abstracts and the beauty of nature. She likes her work to have a geometric/modern feel that is wrapped in semi-realism and golden light.  Creating art is a healing and rewarding experience that she gives credit to God for.

      She has exhibited her work at many juried shows.  She is a Co-op member of the Artery in Milford, PA and a member of the Skylands Gallery in Wantage, NJ.   She is a member of the Sussex County Art & Heritage Council and the Art Association in Roxbury.   Art began for Liza with her late mother, Janet E. Smith.   Receiving awards began in childhood.  In the late 80’s the Newton Chamber of Commerce would host outdoor shows and Liza received first, third and honorable mention at these shows. One specific award stands out for Liza.  It was Best of Show awarded by the West Essex Art Association, at their Art on the Avenue show in Caldwell, NJ.

      Recent awards have included:  2015 The AAR Annual Members’ Show, Second Place for Flight Paths VI.  2014 Third place at the Atrium Gallery in Morristown, NJ. awarded by Kenneth B. Gore.  His comments for Flight Paths II were-”Sometimes the media, acrylic here, steps to the front and demonstrates all those seductive pulls of color, shape and lines that give power to the painting.”  2013 First place at the 46th AAR Annual Art Show in oil/acrylic, awarded by Kim Eng Yeo for for Liza’s Jersey Fieldpainting.

      She holds a Bachelors of Art with a major in Psychology from Caldwell College/University 2002.  She was inducted into the National Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi 1999.  Accepted into the Northwest New Jersey Respiratory Care Consortium in 2005.  She also minored in Art in the late 80’s at the past Upsala College, under Professor, Hyo Chong Yoo.  Her love for new knowledge in art has continued with various workshops with many local artists.  In Spring 2015  she was enrolled in a class with California based artist, Robert Burridge.

      Her paintings have been purchased for private collections in the US and Canada.  She loves teaching children basic art skills.  She taught a watercolor class in 2008 for the Teen Arts Program at the Sussex County College in Newton, NJ.  She has also taught private students.  She has held positions on the board of the Sussex County Art Society from secretary to president.  This group began in the late 60’s and she remembers from the 70’s some of the great artists like Lou Kennel.

      The substrates and medias that she uses are as diverse as her life experiences.   She went from working in the Business world for thirteen years to working in the healthcare field for six years.   That calling to come home again to art was always present.  This great desire to be an artist finally gave way to working in a cubicle.

She also has done commission work for customers that have wanted their home or family farm done. Or if you have a specific photo that you took and would like me to use as a reference.   Liza can be contacted via email at either: hzils@mac.com or ls78017@gmail.com.

You can also contact Liza on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Artfortheseasonsoflife

www.paintingsbyliza.com and 973-903-9794