I am extremely nearsighted; a lifelong challenge that up until recently I considered a curse. In order to see something clearly without the aid of glasses or contacts, I need to hold it very close to my eyes. Now I realize that my ‘curse” is really a blessing. It has prepared me to view the world around me from a different perspective, one that I try to share with others. As I look closely at my subject of choice, it turns into an abstraction of pure form, texture, depth and color.

Artists often attempt to provoke people into a guttural response to a world full of pain, inequity, hatred and injustice – hoping to elicit a reaction that will compel people to action. I believe it is just as important to be reminded that beauty, kindness, love and compassion are the ultimate solution – and can be found everywhere, if we look closely enough.

My favorite subjects are flowers. Whether they are carefully grown and tended, nature ‘planted’ as a part of our native habitat or spring unexpectedly from the earth in the form of wildflowers or “weeds” – they represent a metaphor of human life itself: fragile but tenacious, beauty and form of infinite variety. They sprout, they grow, they wither, and they die. God’s creativity and love are on display in each and every one.

I enjoy living in Tucson, Arizona with my husband of 29 years. We are blessed by two grown sons who continue to fill us with gratitude.

Why I Shop at Sarnoff

There is tremendous benefit to developing relationships, especially when working in a field that is often times very isolating. Henry and his staff are exceptionally helpful and supportive of the Tucson community and its artists – and as local artists, I think we should be supporting our local businesses as well. If Henry doesn’t have something, he will get it for you. If you have a question, he’ll answer it. If you have a problem, he’ll solve it. It doesn’t get any better than that.

BACKGROUND

Elizabeth von Isser grew up in the Midwest and moved to Tucson in the early 80’s to work as a manufacturing engineer for a major defense contractor. Marriage and motherhood re-aligned her priorities and in 2005 with the support of her family, she left her successful corporate job to pursue a career in art.

Being extremely nearsighted all her life was a challenge that has proven to be a blessing - as she looks closely at her subject, it turns into pure form, pattern and color.

Elizabeth is best known for her intriguing florals.  Flowers -- whether carefully grown and tended, or springing from the earth in the form of wildflowers or “weeds” -- represent a metaphor of human life itself. Fragile but tenacious; beauty and form of infinite variety; no single one exactly like the other. They sprout, they grow, they wither, and they die. God’s creativity and love are on display in each and every one.

Elizabeth von Isser’s paintings have appeared in national juried competitions and a national museum tour throughout the United States. Elizabeth was awarded Signature Membership in 2009 by the International Society of Acrylic Painters and she is represented by Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona and Sarnoff’s Paloma Art Gallery in Tucson, Arizona.

SOLO  MUSEUM EXHIBITS – juried

• Casa Grande Museum of Art, AZ “Through My Eyes…” - 2012

GROUP MUSEUM EXHIBITS – juried

• The Spartanburg Art Museum, SC, “Blossom ~ Art of Flowers” - 2009
• Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, AZ, “Blossom ~ Art of Flowers” – 2008
• Neville Public Museum, Greenville, WI, “Blossom ~ Art of Flowers” – 2007
• Houston Museum of Natural Science, TX, “Blossom ~ Art of Flowers” – 2007

SOLO EXHIBITS - juried

• 2008   ArtsEye Gallery – Tucson, AZ
• 2007   DeGrazia Little Gallery – Tucson, AZ
• 2007   Northern Trust Bank – Tucson, AZ

GROUP EXHIBITS – juried

• 2015   Tucson Botanical Gardens – Tucson, AZ
• 2013   Tucson Pima Arts Council – “Inner Chambers” – Tucson, AZ
• 2013   Manhattan Arts International- “Art That Lifts Our Spirits” – online
• 2012   DeGrazia Little Gallery – Tucson, AZ
• 2011   13th Annual Judeo-Christian Online International Art Exhibition
• 2010   Beverly Hills “Affaire in the Gardens” Art Show – Beverly Hills, CA
• 2009   The Dixon Gallery & Gardens – Memphis, TN, “Blossom ~ Art of Flowers”
• 2009   Contents Interiors – Tucson, AZ, “Unique Offerings”
• 2009    Paloma Art Gallery – Tucson, AZ, Paloma Art Summer Pallet Preview
• 2008   Toscana Studio & Gallery, “Flora Fantastica” – Oro Valley, AZ
• 2008   Herberger Theatre Gallery, “Garden of the Soul” – Phoenix, AZ
• 2008   112th Annual Open Exhibition, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club – New York, NY
• 2008   53rd Annual International Exhibition, Northern California Art Club –  Carmichael, CA
  
• 2008   Tubac Festival of the Arts – Tubac, AZ
• 2007   Dunnegan Gallery of Art, Bolivar, MO, “Blossom ~ Art of Flowers”
• 2006   5th Annual Art in Oro Valley Competition – Oro Valley, AZ

AWARDS

• 2013   Manhattan Arts International – Award of Excellence
• 2010   American Art Awards Online – 3rd & 4th place in Floral Realism
• 2009   Signature status in International Society of Acrylic Painters (ISAP)
• 2009   American Art Awards Online – 3rd place in two categories; Floral Realism & Spiritual
• 2006  People’s Choice Award – 5th Annual Art in Oro Valley Competition – Oro Valley, AZ
  

MEDIA

• Arizona Daily Star, Foothill Section 12/28/2006, “Nature Up Close and In Depth”
• Documentary, A City and a Church Rise Together , 2016

DONATIONS

• American Heart Association
• Parseghian Medical Research Foundation
• Ronald McDonald House
• GOVAC (Greater Oro Valley Arts Council)
• Various local school organizations
• Camphill Special School
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

EDUCATION

• 2007 – ASDM Art Institute – studied with William Hook, Fine Artist
• 2006 – Scottsdale Artists School – studied with Robert Moore, Fine Artist
• 2006 to present  - The Drawing Studio – various painting and drawing classes
• 1983 - Bachelor of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, with emphasis in mechanical design and drafting

MEMBERSHIPS

• International Society of Acrylic Painters – signature member
• Board Member – U of A College of Fine Arts Art Advisory Board, Tucson, Arizona

VOLUNTEERISM & SERVICE

• Ara Parseghian Medical Foundation - Volunteer Coordinator, 2003 – 2010
• New Life Baptist Church – Ministry Team Leader, Drama Team, 2006 - 2012
• Waypoint Theatre Company – Board Member and Performer, 2009 – 2014
• Art Advisory Board – University of Arizona College of Fine Art / School of Art

PERSONAL

• Born December 13, 1958 in Lakewood, Ohio.  Married with two children, currently residing in Tucson, Arizona.

REFERENCES

• Dr. & Mrs. George Domino, Professor Emeritus, University of Arizona
• Mr. William Staples, Senior Vice President of Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors