Elizabeth Sawrey is a busy woman.  Yet even in between running a hydraulics business with her husband and caring for four children and a lively dog, she has managed to remain devoted to her painting.  Specialising in portraits and contemporary pastel and acrylics, her portfolio also includes an impressive variety of styles which all exude the poise and precision of the artist herself.

Growing up in Gympie, Liz did not consider herself an “artist” at all, and undertook only technical drawing at school.  At 25 she started to explore creative art after inheriting her talented older brother’s pastels which had lain unused for many years after he sadly passed away aged 18.  But it was not until pregnant with middle daughter Emily twelve years ago that she became serious about developing her talent.

While having undertaken no formal training, Liz has expanded her skills by attending classes run by renowned Australian artists Kerrie Atkins, Lynn Diefenbach, Don Waters and Mignon Parker, and New Zealand pastellist Maxine Thompson.  “I would also like to recognise Marie Prior as a very good local artist who got me started in pastels,” she says.  Liz has also attended a number of annual master classes run by USQ in Toowoomba, including Acrylic & Charcoal, Portrait & Figurative Painting and Bright Impressions: Acrylic & Mixed Media.  These two-week intensive courses allow the artists to ‘live and breathe’ their art completely undisturbed.  “It’s my ‘annual leave’!” Liz says.  When attending workshops, Liz will explore the ideas focused on “until something clicks, and I will then incorporate aspects into my own work.”                                                                            

The broad range of work on display in her studio under the family home demonstrates this, with contemporary acrylics, mixed media abstracts and still life pastels alongside portraits and figurative work.  Common to all is Liz’s meticulousness and attention to detail, and wonderful depth and accurate perspective.  Having explored a range of styles and media, Liz is now focusing on portraits and mixed media landscapes.  “I love doing portraits”, she says.  “They are my favourite.  But I am also working on putting together an exhibition of my landscapes.” 

And as if not busy enough, Liz also runs drawing classes and colour classes from her home studio.  Currently taking an end-of-year break, the classes should be running again from January.

Having already completed commissions for both local businesses and a private collection in Gympie, Liz’s reputation is continuing to grow.  Winning (along with two others) the 2007 People’s Choice Award for the Gympie Gold Rush Art Competition confirms the appeal of her work.  In addition, Liz recently won the Rainbow Shores Award in the 2009 Gold Rush Art Competition with her 45x30cm pastel ‘Bullock Point Jetty’(pictured right  ©LSawrey),

“a very accomplished and imaginative work” according to the judges’ comments.