ELIZABETH HIGGINS-STEELE, TRURO, MA

I'M NOT READY TO LEAVE, 2026

Value $500

Artist Statement:

Human stories, relationships, and interactions are the inspiration for my paintings. Figurative Expression is the style that describes my work. The model's body, pose, and energy create the foundation from which the painting evolves starting with the placement of the figure on the canvas and forming a composition. I am an emergent painter. I start with an idea but then what I see determines where I take the painting. Thus, I may start going in one direction but continually change course as the painting evolves. The mood and atmosphere in the room influence color choices, light and shadows, movement and repetition.

I enjoy making series. Some evoke stories with a common theme such as couples in dialogue. Others depict groups of people in movement together. Others are still life done in various colors or levels of abstraction. My goal is to create figuration in some kind of context whether it be abstract, atmospheric or somewhat representational. Sometimes it flows and sometimes it's a struggle.

I find if I can work through the noise in my head to a deeper consciousness happy accidents of magic occur. The most significant example was during the takeover of the capital on January 6, 2022. I was so distraught listening to the news I started painting figures and not realizing I kept turning the canvas around. The outcome was a melee of figures interconnected so that the canvas could be viewed from any direction. A series of paintings with that orientation followed.

Painting can be very meditative. When beginning, it helps to cover the surface with a wash or some color other than white and use a limited palette. I often depict models in a class or life drawing but then go back to the quiet or music in my studio to let the process begin and ideally give into a deeper consciousness to bring life to the painting.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Unframed: 16" x 12"