Elizabeth Dryden  //  @elizabethdrydenfineart

Texas native Elizabeth Dryden is a Contemporary Southwest Artist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area making a wave and grabbing the attention of the Texas art scene and beyond. The many layers intertwined together in her mixed media work make each piece a lawless mystery to unfold. While colorful and lively in spirit, there are volumes of information to be discovered below the textured surface.

Elizabeth is inspired by the mystery of the desert as a whole, but focuses her artwork on the enchanting and indestructible flora and fauna that reside there. The subjects of Elizabeth’s work are primarily cacti and indigenous animals, which she uses metaphorically to express various life virtues hidden within the brushstrokes of paint and various paper and textured mediums.

The natural beauty of the American Southwest has always fascinated Elizabeth. She breaks down subjects and themes into a magical exploration of color and shape. Further exploring cacti and various desert inhabitants in bright, vibrant Southwest scenes, Elizabeth combines the paradoxes between longstanding traditional ideals against modern society.

Elizabeth grew up in Dallas and has since relocated back home after leaving for college and life’s adventures at the University of Arizona in 2000, which began her lifelong fascination with the mystic of the desert. Graduating from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in Art Education in 2005, she has since lived in Arizona, Washington State, Kentucky, and Boston, before returning back home to her favorite state of Texas. Elizabeth resides in Dallas with her cat Rupert and dog Pete.

Statement
“Reality is relative to our culture, and how and where our roots were planted. The places and objects around us help to grow those seeds, and shape who we are as people and our interpretations of the world. The idea of how something (anything) can be interpreted so differently by each individual person intrigues me. We all have had different life experiences, we have our own opinions, and our own values and beliefs- therefore, we each have our own idea of reality. My art is my own reality and the way I see things. It’s a language I use to say what I cannot express in words.

Texas has helped shape my thoughts and personal viewpoints of the world, and I enjoy showcasing that through the use of the local plants and animals of this beautiful region. Historically cacti are predominant in cultures in the Southwest, exemplifying strength, protection, endurance, and resilience. I explore the symbolism of the cactus and various indigenous animals residing in Texas settings, showcasing their ability to endure any situation, while maintaining beauty and poise, much like Texas itself.” – Elizabeth Dryden