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Elizabeth Ingebretsen

​What is your style and what media do you use?

The work I create in watercolor is based upon my observations of the visible world, it includes my insights and impressions of nature's seasons, a model's mood, the dialogue between two birds on a fence. I describe my style as Contemporary Realism.

In the realm of the digital age, minutely-detailed photographic imagery often bombards and overwhelms our line of vision. Whether it be on our mobile phones, or any number of other personal digital assistants, we are saturated with visual imagery. I want my work to be a positive place for both the mind and soul. I hope viewers of my work experience the connection I made with my subject, a moment that caused me to stop and say, "I must paint this. I have served my purpose if my work inspires, excites, or calms viewers.

What subjects do you commonly portray?

Travel is a passion of mine, and creating paintings while traveling adds to my experience of a new place. This Spring I visited a fascinating troglodyte village in France's Loire Valley called TrOo. I am currently working on watercolors of this region of France.

The beauty of California is also frequent subject matter. Brilliant sunlight illuminates our coastline, forests, and farmland making them ideal subjects. Their wild inhabitants are also a constant wonder.
Besides painting animal portraits, I enjoy painting portraits of people in watercolor. I am a member of an international portrait painting group that brings together artists from across the globe. We paint each other, both online and in person. And a book describing our work was published by Watson-Guptill in 2017, called Portrait Revolution: Inspiration from around the world for creating art in multiple mediums and styles, by Julia L. Kay

What are your typical sizes?

When I am painting outdoors, directly from nature, I limit my work to 14 by 20 inches or smaller. Studio work, done inside, can be up to a full-sized sheet of watercolor paper at 30 by 22 inches. I am able to create larger work by commission as professional watercolor paper comes in rolls measuring 55 inches by 11 yards.

Do you make reproductions?

Yes, I am happy to create a reproduction of any painting for a collector. Working with my technical resources, a high-quality print can be made in any size desired.

Where can they find you?

My work can be seen at the Venture Gallery in Monterey, California. Online visit www.elizabethingebretsen.com to view more of my work.