We were lucky to catch up with Liz Chappie-Zoller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Liz, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My art is a unique fusion of my rural western American flora / fauna mashed up with the urban-based graffiti I collect from trains crisscrossing my Montana landscape. I’m inspired by our native wildlife, working horses, traditional symbolism, the meaning of colors within different cultures, and the added value of deeper messaging.

That said, it’s meaningful to me to create art that is authentic to my vision and that invites others to connect and explore. My art encourages viewers to look more closely, sparking amazing conversations, challenging assumptions, leaning into how much we have in common, and the power of connection.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a full-time contemporary western artist, specializing in mixed media paintings. And I’m fortunate enough to live and have my Pearl Snap Studio, established in 2014, located in a secluded valley along the Missouri River near Three Forks Montana. I started painting full-time in 2018, and settled into finding my niche – something other than traditional western art, yet completely authentic – and inspired by this Big Sky Country I call home.

Because I’m fascinated by the working horses of the American West – rodeo, ranch, and Indian Relay racehorses – and the wildlife surrounding me, my mixed media paintings center around these diverse subjects. I work both large and small, and prefer to create in series, because that allows me to explore each subject in depth.

My art inspires curiosity and connection. It’s very engaging because it’s so unusual – no one is creating works like mine – so I feel very grounded knowing that it comes from a deeply personal and authentic sense of place. When I cultivate new collectors, it’s often because we’ve engaged first over the art itself – which draws people in with its energy and vibrant color, and then through the ensuing conversation about its creation, symbolism, and messaging.

My art is such a unique synchronicity of where I live, its flora and fauna, the lifestyle of the American West, and my deep love of rail-car graffiti, that it sets me apart from others. The authenticity of this artwork is definitely my strength – I’m not being anyone other than myself, I’m not looking to emulate anyone else’s style, and I completely own my story and the evolution of my art.

That said, I’m most proud of honoring my mantra to “show up, do the work, manage my focus, and trust the process”. It’s not easy being different, especially in a conservative western art market that best understands traditional art. But this year, I’ve been repeatedly rewarded with invitations to participate in several regional art events specifically because of my unique style, and these opportunities have enabled me to show my work and be recognized for it.

The main things I would like potential collectors / followers / fans to know about my artwork is that it’s inspired by my firm belief that we have more in common than what separates us. And I say this because when we really gift ourselves with the time to go deep, look more closely at what’s right in front of us, and consider that which is different and unique, we can almost without fail always discover and relate to one or more features we have in common. Such overlapping edges of those commonalities are great opportunities to celebrate what makes us stronger together. I hope my art brings its positivity and celebration of beauty and strength to all who experience it.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

For the past ten years, I’ve coached a business development course for the Montana Arts Council, in which visual artists are taught an array of marketing tools. One of the most important tools is the ability to tell one’s story in accessible “layman’s” language, and that serves as a great bridge between someone who considers themselves a non-creative and the artist. So I would have to say that knowing why one creates their art is a wonderful invitation for non-creatives to connect, in an even more meaningful way than just their initial visceral connection to a piece of art.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Understanding the value of art after the pandemic seems like a silver lining to the horrible years during which the world was denied access to most forms of art, especially live venues like art festivals and in-person exhibitions. I sincerely hope that experience encourages society to place much greater value on its worth. Being an artist is an important and valid profession that merits the monetary value of the artists’ years of experience as well as the actual work produced.

As artists we need to take ourselves seriously: when one shows up to an art event – a show, an exhibit, a client’s home or place of business – we don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. So knowing your worth, acting professionally, being prepared by having really great marketing tools, and knowing your story best helps society support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pearlsnapstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizchappiezoller.newwesternart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlSnapStudioLLC.LizChappieZoller/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-chappie-zoller-b9847366/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOlqiY3MRv3RBpqVY6NrekQ

Image Credits
Erin Zoller