Artist Statement

I paint with oil in a loose technique that seeks accuracy. Finding the point where an image feels authentic and well defined by using the least amount of brushstrokes is a common thread in all of my work. Mid-century architecture, cars, vintage photos, classic TV shows and movies are my main influences. Themes of time and place are consistently explored. It is not a longing for the past, but rather embracing nostalgic imagery as familiar shared experiences that people can relate to within the present. Most everyone can relate to an old photo and emotionally connect to our own families and experiences while viewing them. Photos from the 1940's-70's are the everyday, mundane and often beautiful versions of classic pop culture. Painting from old Kodachrome photos was a passion of mine since being an art student at CCS. I began by referencing my own family photos and over the years began to work from abandoned photos elsewhere and also from friends. Pop culture has become a large part of everyday life and it reflects our joys and sufferings. Classic TV and movies are stories told over and over and become recognizable ways to connect with people who are otherwise strangers. It occurred to me that they are modern mythology. 20th century pop culture represents themes worth being painted not unlike the historical or biblical themes from previous art periods that we see in museums. Television re-runs are shared memories that bring people together. There is a theory that people who suffer from anxiety tend to gravitate towards favorite shows because the familiarity provides comfort. Most everyone can relate to an old photo and emotionally connect to our own families and experiences while viewing them. The two painters I admire most are John Singer Sargent for his brushwork and Edward Hopper for his composition.

Bio

Liz Frankland is a painter residing in Berkley, MI. She works primarily with acrylics and oils on canvas in a loose but realistic style and is inspired by theconcept of home, mid century pop culture and vintage photos. Liz is a full-time artist who teaches painting and drawing at Articipate in Berkley MI. She received her BFA from College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI.

CV

Education
College For Creative Studies, Bachelor of Fine Arts, 1996

Selected Exhibitions

2023 Padzieski Art Gallery, “Pictures Worth 1000 Notes” Four person Exhibition, Dearborn, MI

2023 Hatch Art Gallery, Hatchback Group Exhibition, Hamtramck, MI

2023 Berkley Coffee, “Together” Group Exhibition, Berkley, MI

2023 Thank You For Being a Friend, Articipate, Berkley, MI

2023 Stillwater Stays, “Revive”, Ortonville, MI

2023 Stillwater Stays, “Retreat”, Ortonville, MI

2022 Berkley Public Library, Solo Exhibition. Berkley, Mi

2022 Cass Cafe, “Nature”, Detroit, MI

2022 Kayrod Gallery, Detroit MI. When There are Nine auxiliary show.

2022 Canvas Pontiac, Pontiac MI

2022 My Favorite Exhibition, Grosse Pointe Art Association Gallery, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

2021 Two Person Exhibition, Articipate, Berkley MI

2021 Michigan Fine Arts Competition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Birmingham, MI

2021 Gilda Snowden Memorial Exhibition, The Scarab Club, Detroit, MI

2020 Gold Medal Exhibition, The Scarab Club, Detroit, MI

2020 Soul Searching, Grosse Pointe Artists Association, Grosse Pointe War Memorial - Honorable Mention

2020 Lockdown Art, Two person exhibition, Articipate, Berkley, MI

2019 Craftsmanshipping, Detroit Shipping Company, Detroit, MI

2019 Solo Exhibition, Canton Village Theater, Canton, MI

2019 Snowden Exhibition, Scarab Club, Detroit MI, Honorable Mention

2018 Rear view mirror. Two person exhibition, Beaubien House, Detroit, MI

2018 90th Regional Exhibition, Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI

2018 Past Time, Solo Exhibition, Articipate, Berkley, MI

2018 Art and About, Berkley, MI

2018 Solo Exhibition, Berkley Public Library

2018 The Snowden Exhibition, Scarab Club, Detroit MI

2018 Michigan Annual XLV, Anton Art Center, Mt Clemons, MI. Honorable Mention

2017 After the Sun Goes Down, Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe, MI. -Third Place

2017 Scarab Club Gold Medal Exhibition, Detroit, MI

2017 Annual Exhibition, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petosky, MI- Honorable Mention

2017 Silver Medal Exhibition, Scarab Club, Detroit , MI

2016 East Side Art Show, St Clair Shores, MI. -Third Place

2016 Regional Exhibition, Muskegon Museum of Art, MI -Honorable Mention

2015 All Media Exhibition, Ann Arbor Art Center, Mi

2013 Power of Portrait, Ella Sharp Museum, Mi

2008 Our Town, Birmingham Community House, MI

2005 Michigan Fine Arts Competition, Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, MI

2003 All Media Exhibition, Ann Arbor Art Center, MI

1996 Swords Into Plowshares, Detroit, MI

1995 Essence of Character, Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor, MI- Tom Coates Memorial Award

Teaching

2022 Paint Your Heart and Soul. Online art instruction

2018- Present, Oil and acrylic painting. Articipate, Berkley, MI

2019 Portrait Painting instruction Grosse Pointe Artist Association

Community

2020, 2021, 2022 Scholastic Art Award Juror, Southeastern Michigan Region.

Public Art
2002-2007 Cranbrook Institute of Science, Murals.

1995 Art On the Move, Artist Residency and Mentorship