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Biography                                      

ELIZABETH LEE

 

Born during the Vietnam War at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, Elizabeth currently resides in Santa Cruz, California. The child of a war-survivor, she identifies as Hapa, half-Chinese and half-American. Family and identity are frequent themes that she seeks to transform through art.

 

Elizabeth believes in the magical properties of energy and color.. The artist’s life force merges with the invisible realms and comes forth during creation.​

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Whether working in pure abstraction or more figurative renderings, Elizabeth maintains an ongoing dialogue with the living canvas. This is central to the art’s creation. Elizabeth’s process is expressionistic, reflecting her inner experience as she seeks the vibration of joy with color. Like Emily Dickinson who sewed her poems into her skirts as talismans, Elizabeth will often begin a piece with a Chinese character, phrase or poem, as part of the underpainting. The “calligraphy” anchors in the intention or direction of the painting. 

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The layering process often begins as a print. Elizabeth applies color using a gel press, flattening the palette on the undersurface. She may paint with a brayer or use unconventional painting materials. Each piece requires a level of surrender, a collaboration with the canvas as well as the raw forces of imagination. Elizabeth’s approach is whimsical and optimistic, as a dream floating by, with a light respect for life’s absurdities. This reflects back her internal communications. She attempts to resolve the mysteries of biracial identity, cultural structures, immigrant experiences, alienation and impermanence, by using the resonance of color, whose waves of light are eternal.

 

Chinese characters, quotes from Pushkin, poetry in the base layers, these elements all summon the magical dimensions and power of language—the symbols that map together our common humanity. Although these words will be pushed underneath a barrage of color and forms, they serve as a prayer vibrating outwards. Taoist principles, Chinese cosmology and elements of Asian cultures sometimes emerge as elements or references.

 

The narrative is an important component in her work. Even with completely abstract pieces, the title tells a story. This stems from Elizabeth’s background in theater, creative writing, photography studies and early years spent in film. Her cross-disciplinary approach has at its core the understanding that Art is a refuge, meant to put love into the world. 

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CV​

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Solo Exhibitions

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2025

  • Lotus Radiance, Om Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA

  • Gifts of Imagination, Michealangelo Studios, Santa Cruz, CA

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2023

  • Pandemic Art & Spring Promises, Faust Downtown, Santa Cruz, CA

 

2021

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2020

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Group Exhibitions

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2025

  • Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures in Santa Cruz
    Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz

  • Winter 2025, Exhibizone Biafarin International 

  • Continental Canvases, Golden Duck Gallery, Sors Gallery, Budapest &
    City Gallery Vienna, Vienna, Austria

  • Dia de los Muertos, River Studio 116, Santa Cruz, CA

  • 12 x 12, Cabrillo Gallery, Aptos, CA

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2024

  • Residency Exhibition, Gallery Diderot, Orquevaux, France

  • Open Studios, Chateau d'Orquevaux, Orquevaux, France

  • 12 x 12, Cabrillo Gallery, Aptos, CA 

  • Changing Spaces, Radius Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA

 

2023

  • The Process, Swift Street Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA

  • 12 x 12, Cabrillo Gallery, Aptos, CA 

 

2022

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2021

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2020

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2017

  • 12 x 12, Cabrillo Gallery, Aptos, CA 

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2009

  • Exhibition 4, Cabrillo Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA 

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2007

  • Sequoia Sempervirens, City Dance, San Francisco, CA â€‹â€‹â€‹

 

Grant | Award | Residency

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2025

  • Laurel, Faces & Features, Gallery 4%, San Francisco

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2024

  • Denis Diderot Grant

  • Chateau d'Orquevaux Artist Residency, Orquevaux, France

 

2023 

  • Teravarna Finalist - Open

  • ​Teravarna Honorable Mention - 6th Flower

 

2022

  • Denis Diderot Grant

  • Chateau d'Orquevaux Artist Residency, Orquevaux, France

  • Art Show International Finalist - Abstract 7

  • Art Show International Honorable Mention - Color 4

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Publications

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2024

  • Lookout Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA

  • ArtConnect.com, Best of the Week Feature

  • Bold Journey Magazine


2022 

  • Inner Light Moon Oracle, Deck & Guidebook, Author & Creator

 

2007 

  • Na Tsoi Yona, Illustrator, Noski Press


1999 

  • Family Scott CD, 17 Classic Songs, Fiddler, Vocalist, Mac’s Liver Productions, SF

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Music | Performance

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2024

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2010

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1996-2010

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2009-2014

  • Fiddler & Mandolinist, Pirate Band, San Francisco, CA

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2002-2007

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2006

  • Violinist, nateleslie, San Francisco, CA

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2005

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1998—2000

  • Spoke Tones, SF Bicycle Ballet live accompaniment, San Francisco, CA

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1996-1998

  • Bicycle Ballerina, San Francisco Bicycle Ballet, San Francisco, CA

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Education

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2009-2011 AS Digital Publishing, Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA

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2004-2005 City College of San Francisco,  Drawing & Illustration Classes

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1993-1994 Certificate of Completion, Vancouver Film School, Vancouver, BC

 

​1986-1990 AB English, Creative Writing, Stanford University, Photography Studies

 © 2020-2025 Elizabeth Lee, All rights reserved

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