Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Chaney.
Hi Elizabeth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Artist Biography – Elizabeth Chaney
My practice was shaped by two formative years living and working in Paris beginning in 1983—an experience that marked a decisive turning point and grounded my work in observation, discipline, and material sensitivity. Upon returning to the United States, I began painting and exhibiting throughout Northern California.
I later attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where I received classical training in illustration and graduated with honors in 1996. I subsequently spent more than two decades working professionally as a designer and art director across interactive media, toy design, and educational game development. This period sharpened my compositional rigor, visual storytelling, and technical fluency, all of which continue to inform my fine art practice.
In 2015, I committed fully to my career as a fine artist. Since then, my work has received increasing national and international recognition, including international acclaim in 2024, 2025, and 2026 through Exhibit Zone, Foundwork, and Biafarin. In 2024, I was awarded the Juror’s Award of Excellence for the Brushstrokes exhibit in Morro Bay. In 2025, I was awarded Best in Show in the Mixed Up exhibition presented by the Paso Robles Art Association. In 2026 I placed 2nd in the Juried exhibit, ‘Diversity’ at the Beacon Art Show in San Luis Obispo.
I am a member of the National Portrait Gallery, Central Coast Artists Coalition, The Painters Group SLO, Santa Barbara Arts Association, Morro Bay Art Association, and Trilogy Art Group.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was rough in the beginning after graduating from Art Center, as my school loan payments were extremely high. I never said “no” to any freelance work on top of working full time as a designer.
As I gained experience in the commercial art world, the work became much more interesting, and rewarding, both mentally and fiscally, but with that came tight deadlines and long hours. I was fortunate to work for several well known companies (Disney Interactive, Knowledge Kids Network, Leap Frog, Universal Sports Network) which was fullfilling, but burn out was a real thing.
When I decided to devote my career solely to my Fine Art- it was a struggle at first, because almost all of my career work was in the digital space. It took awhile to hone my skills again as a fine artist.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As an artist, I really enjoy working with all types of mediums. I try not to box myself in restricting my creativity to one or two types of supplies.
I consider myself a visual storyteller. My specialty is Portraits, but I don’t allow that to label me. Before I start a portrait, I interview the person, or do extensive research to find out what their backstory is. What helped form them into the person that they are? I put all my effort into creating a piece that reflects their inner light or darkness in some cases. I really try to capture the personality rather than just painting a facade.
My style has changed over the years. I tend to paint portraits more towards realism, experimenting with warms and cool tones, as well as lighting.
After I finish a portrait, I usually create an abstract painting or loose landscape. I enjoy the freedom of expression and not having to focus on the details.
Along with paint- oil, acrylic, colored pencil, alcohol inks and resin…I work with glass.
I really enjoy creating mosaics using Italian hand cut Smalti. The piece that I am most proud of is my mosaic portrait of Audrey Hepburn. Hand cutting the glass creates an uneven surface that catches the light and the result is stunning.
I also work in fused glass, which is a beautiful medium to work in.
I think what sets me apart from others is the fact that I work in so many mediums and my work is distinctly my own. My work is direct, tells an unapologetic story and is unique,
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a very shy kid and came from a very unhappy, abusive environment. My role was the peacemaker. But that made me a target in so many ways. I used art as a way to express my inner voice, which was in reality, often muted. I was very much an introvert and used music and art to cope. I have always had a sharp wit, and a very strong work ethic, which helped me survive as I was on my own very young. I was always told I would never amount to anything, etc. But whenever I hear “you can’t”, I reached out of the box and said, “watch me”.
I am grateful for those hard times, as it made me very strong, and my artistic voice is loud and proud. My art was my way of communicating what I couldn’t in real time.
Pricing:
- Original portraits- $1500-$3200
- Mosaic Portraits- $2200-$2600
- Limited Edition Prints- unframed-$250 +
- Limited Edition Prints- Framed- $325
- Abstract Originals – $1200-$2000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.simplyelizabethart.com
- Instagram: @simplyelizabethart
- Facebook: @simplyelizabethart
