Elizabeth Pollie

Artist Statement

"A successful representational painting transcends technique and gimmickry, eliciting from the viewer a sense of connection with the truer nature of the subject. In the best of these works we are taken, almost unwittingly, into the heart of the painting. Here we feel, down to the bone, the more intrinsic qualities of a scene - be they lovely or disturbing, either way we are mesmerized. If we are very lucky our own hearts are broken open."

Biography

Elizabeth Pollie’s exposure to the arts came at an early age. Taken to museums, enrolled in classes by her parents and influenced by her father’s love and practice of art and architecture, she was always clear about her path in life. "Working within the field of visual arts never seemed like a choice, but rather a place of true belonging".

She enrolled in college art classes while still in high school and went on to receive an education at a formal Art School. She earned her B.F.A. at The College For Creative Studies where she later taught.

Pollie worked as a freelance illustrator and had her illustrations published in 3 Communication Arts Illustration Annuals as well as Booth/Clibborn’s, American Illustration. Feeling a pull toward the traditions of painting she left the field of editorial illustration to pursue a full time career in fine art.

Harboring a deep love of travel and art history, Elizabeth has combined her travels with her painting practice. The images that she creates are imbued with a sense of poetry, mood and depth. In her words- " While painting does not enable one to improve upon nature itself, the act of representing it greatly improves one’s relationship with it so that somehow a new language is forged. This is what I find thrilling."

The artist paints full time and teaches from her studio, West Wind Atelier in Harbor Springs, Mi. Her paintings reside in both public and private collections here and abroad and have received much national recognition.

Elizabeth has found a deep sense of place within the rekindled practice of representational painting in America. Of this movement Pollie reflects, " It is celebration, an homage and in many ways a joyous homecoming. I am pleased to be a part of it.

Education

• Santa Reparata, Florence, Italy, Summer 1980
• College For Creative Studies, Detroit, MI. BFA earned

Selected Recent Awards

• 2012 Oil Painters Of America Summer Showcase; Second Place for "The Cows Came Home".
• 2011 Oil Painters Of America 20th National Exhibit. 2nd Place Silver Medal, Coeur D'Alene Idaho.
• 2010 American Women Artist’s National Show. Award of Merit. Southwest Gallery, Dallas TX
• 2010 Best of Show, Salmagundi Club, Non-Members Show. New York, NY
• 2010, Mackinac Island Richard and Jane Manoogian Fine Arts Museum $5000.00 Purchase Award.
• 2010 Best of Show, June Bold Brush Fine Art Competition.
• 2010 Richeson 75 still life and Floral exhibition, 2nd Place.

Selected Articles

• 2012 American Art Collector Feature Article; June Issue; "Elizabeth Pollie, One Artist’s Voice."
• 2012 Southwest Art, March Issue, "Horsing Around, 10 artists interpret the equine form."
• 2011 Traverse Magazine, Feature article, September Issue," With Gratitude, Elizabeth Pollie."
• 2007 Mackinac Living, Feature Article, Summer issue, "Horse Power, Artist Elizabeth Pollie ignites the island"

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