Tribute to Liz Hill artist and founding Member of DaVinci Artists Gallery by Hilda Rueda

The art world is not small but any means. We, as artists, encounter in our artistic life many people, whose art performs very well, earn awards and are successful in financial terms. But there is a very small number of artists that impact us in a manner beyond that, who imprint their legacy; artists who we admire, who we respect, from whom we want to learn. Liz was one of those for me. She had an adventuresome spirit to bend the limits of her medium, to attack the painting surface with a passion that was evident in her line, in the precise, bold and at the same time, “experimental” mark, in the dripping of her color that magically became a beautiful accident.

Liz was, and always will be my mentor, and although I never studied with her, I learnt a lot from her. Painting by her side at WAL, in different painting groups I could not stop observing her process, enjoy the bliss in it, become freer as she transformed a line into the curve of a model’s shoulder, and, with a few strokes of watercolor define the warmth of the model’s cheeks. I do not work in watercolors anymore, but her method and free expressive style was applicable to any medium. I am very grateful for having the opportunity to grow as an artist, by seeing her accomplish the most poetical and beautiful compositions.

Besides her inspiring work, I was also able to know her as a great supporter of the art community. She was a founding member of two organizations that I belong to: the Woodlands Art League and DaVinci Artist Gallery. She was part of the board and helped both organizations to grow and become a niche for amateurs and professional artists. She promoted art education and instruction in both organizations and as such she contributed to the betterment of the community at large.

As a person I had the pleasure of sharing with her, art shows and events and being regaled with her encouragement and wit, her wise comments and suggestions that have made my art a much more pleasurable endeavor and my life as an artist a much better experience.

The art world will miss her dripping watercolors and her unique line. I will miss her wisdom, her boldness and her inspiring spirit.

Thank you, Liz.
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By Hilda Rueda. www.hruedart.com