Artist Statement
Liz Nichols is an Arizona Artist. Creating drawings and paintings of Western Landscapes & Figures
As a fourth-generation native of Northeastern Arizona, I am deeply connected to the rich heritage and mystical beauty of my homeland, which serves as the inspiration for my art. Through my drawings and paintings, I aim to share the beauty of the Western landscapes, featuring horses, wildlife, farms, and ranches. The color of the skies and the lights in nature draw me to particular scenes, while my deep affinity for animals fuels my inspiration. My technique as a self-taught, traditional painter allows me to capture the details of my subjects, using a variety of mediums and layering to develop my paintings. I aim to draw the viewer into an unexpected emotion, leaving them with a sense of peace and a feeling of shared history. Ultimately, my art is a reflection of my desire to protect and preserve the natural beauty and historic places of my homeland for future generations.
About my Emails
Hello! I’m Liz Nichols, an artist passionate about capturing the beauty of animals, western scenes, and wildlife through my paintings. If you love horses, nature, and art that tells a story, you’re in the right place. By signing up for my email updates, you’ll receive direct notifications from me about new artwork, upcoming projects, workshops, and my plein air painting adventures. I also share updates about my YouTube channel, where I showcase my process and creative journey.
I send out emails twice a month, keeping you in the loop without overwhelming your inbox. Along the way, I hope to share personal insights into my work and inspiration, so you can feel connected to the stories behind each piece.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please share your email below and join a community of fellow art lovers and animal enthusiasts. I’m excited to have you along for the journey!
Artist Biography
Liz Nichols is a fine artist whose deep-rooted connection to the wide open high-country of Northeastern Arizona profoundly shapes her life and work. Born with an innate need to draw and paint, Liz’s artistic journey began on a large cattle ranch where the red mesas, expansive skies, and diverse wildlife provided endless inspiration. Growing up surrounded by the natural beauty of the region, from sunrises and sunsets to the vibrant cultures of Native American tribes, she developed a unique visual language that captures the essence of this distinctive landscape.
Raised as a cowgirl, Liz’s formative years were shaped by hands-on experiences on the ranch, including training colts, chasing wild cattle, delivering calves, and working with the land. These moments not only cultivated her creativity but also brought a grounded perspective and respect for the rugged lifestyle that continues to influence her art. Her love of animals, especially horses and butterflies, is a constant source of joy and inspiration, and she cherishes the companionship and peace her own animals provide in her daily life.
The rich cultural heritage of the Native American tribes near her home—the Navajo, Hopi, Apache, and Zuni—has left a lasting imprint on Liz’s artistic style and subject matter. The colors, patterns, and craftsmanship of Navajo weavings, Hopi pottery, Apache basketmaking, and Zuni silversmithing are woven into the fabric of her artwork, reflecting a deep appreciation and respect for these traditions.
Liz’s artistic practice spans a variety of media including pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, acrylics, oils, and mixed media, with a special affinity for using oil paint to bring a luminous quality to her works. While she has painted river rocks extensively using acrylics, her approach has evolved over the years to focus more on special commissions and mixed-media pieces. Her creative process is marked by resilience as she navigates common challenges such as procrastination, artist’s block, ADHD, and frequent relocations—having moved over 30 times in 40 years. Recently settling into her own home has helped her develop greater organization and a more consistent schedule.
Community involvement has played a significant role in Liz’s career. She was active in the Painted Desert Artist Association, where she contributed to monthly newsletters, workshops, art shows, and fairs. Her efforts helped reshape the old courthouse museum into a vibrant space for art exhibitions and lively Old West Days, fostering fellowship and artistic exchange among locals and visitors alike. One of the highlights of her career was creating the “Heart of the Old West” mural in Holbrook, Arizona—a project born from community collaboration and fueled by her determination despite limited resources and challenging circumstances. The mural’s completion was celebrated by the town, and it earned her the Governor’s Art Award, marking both a personal and public recognition of her work.
Liz’s residency at Petrified Forest National Park further deepened her connection to the environment, allowing her to paint in remarkable locations rarely accessible to others. This experience, coupled with her knowledge of the local wildlife and landscape, reinforced her passion for plein aire painting and inspired her aspiration to share this practice via live sessions on platforms like YouTube.
Throughout her career, Liz has treasured meaningful interactions with fellow artists and nature. One memorable moment occurred during a plein aire outing at Devils Canyon, where a vulture unexpectedly soared close by, creating a vivid encounter that she recalls fondly.
As social media and a personal website become more integral to her professional presence, Liz is poised to reach wider audiences and share her artistic voice more consistently. Looking ahead, she is excited about several upcoming projects including a series of 65 miniature watercolors of endangered species to celebrate her 65th birthday, as well as colorful mixed-media series featuring unicorns, elf girls, horses, and Western-inspired themes.
Liz Nichols wishes for viewers of her art to feel a sense of shared stories and peaceful smiles, a reflection of her lifelong connection to land, animals, culture, and community. Her work embodies both personal heritage and the universal beauty of the natural world, inviting others to experience the tranquility and richness she finds in her surroundings.
Our Designers
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Location
Northern Arizona
Contact
About Email
You will be the first to know about new artwork. I will let you know about any news and events. I will not flood your email. I will only send an update out once or twice a month. Your information will not be shared with anyone else.