Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth Sloas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elizabeth, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with important influences in our lives. Is there a historical figure you look up to?

One historical figure I look up to is Artemisia Gentileschi. She is by far the greatest inspiration within my creative practice and someone I greatly admire. She was an Italian Baroque painter during the 17th century and is one of the most well-known female painters in art history. Not only do I admire her for her masterful paintings and creations, but I also admire her strength and perseverance. Her works portray powerful women, who take back the strength that was taken from them. How could I not find her works both moving and awe-inspiring? Gentileschi, while being respected for her career as an artist also did something that was unheard of at the time. She took her rapist to court. I look up to her because her strength not only shines through her work but through her own words and actions. She did not stand meekly by, letting life happen to her. She choose her own path, one that was extremely difficult and today she is remembered as one of the greatest painters of the Baroque period. She is remembered not because she was the best “female” painter, but because she was an amazing artist in her own right. That is the person I look up to, someone who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, not just in court, but within her paintings as well.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Elizabeth Sloas. I grew up in Arkansas and am currently living in Savannah, Georgia. My artistic journey began when I was young, being an artist has always been such an intrinsic part of my life and personality that looking back now it’s no wonder I became a painter. I truly got into painting when I was around 11, using it as a way to express myself and my interests. I was always a relatively quiet child and I think that through painting I was able to express myself and find my own voice. It wasn’t until late in my high school career that I even considered pursuing a career in art. I was always told that I would become a “starving artist” and never have any way of supporting myself. But in the end, there was nothing else that brought me as much joy as painting did. More recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.F.A. in Painting and a minor in art history. At the moment I am working on a series titled, “Shakespeare’s Fallen Women,” and even had a solo show in December of 2022 to display my work. Right now I am most proud of the work that I have created and proud of myself for pursuing a career that I am passionate about. I am excited to see where my creative endeavors take me and the work I will create.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think that for me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the process of creating. I am such a planner, so delving into the research aspect of my process is where I really feel at home. I also just love the process of creating a painting and getting to see it build up layer by layer. For me painting is really a solitary affair, its a space where I feel safe enough to express myself without the judgement of others. When I am in the middle of a painting nothing else matters, and that’s where a bulk of being an artist exhists. The moments where you finish a painting or have a show are so sparse when compared to the actual “creating” part of being an artist.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The mission that drives my creativity right now is promoting more representation for women throughout the ages, by highlighting the female voice. I want to create works that blend well-known narrative tropes with more modern interpretations, giving light to the stories of both the past and the present. I also hope that I can other inspire others to pursue their own creative goals and visions and give them the confidence to create what they want to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: elizabethsloas.com
• Instagram: elizabethsloaspaintings
• Other: TikTok: elizabethsloaspaintings