Elizabeth Hale’s artistic journey is rooted in her rich familial and cultural background. Raised in an environment brimming with creativity, Hale’s father worked as an art historian and writer, while her mother was connected to early 20th-century art colonies in Taos, Santa Fe, and the vibrant 1940s art scene of New York.

Hale’s desire to create art was a constant presence from an early age, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of New Mexico. During the 1970s and 80s, she established herself as an exhibiting artist in New Mexico. A move to Los Angeles, however, pivoted her focus to graphic design, eventually becoming an art director at the Los Angeles Times Magazine.

Her career evolved further with a focus on surface and pattern design, fueled by studies and later teaching at FIDM. Hale designed for The Hollywood Bowl and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, blending her fine arts aesthetic with textile patterns. Retiring in 2020 marked her return to painting, now working from Los Osos, California.

Inspired by the central coast’s landscapes, Hale captures the textures, patterns, and colors of the region’s fields. Her process, using watercolor paper on wood or board, is organic and improvisational. Her paintings reveal a dynamic interplay of movement and shape through overpainting, layering, and distressing. Hale’s work is notable for its textural depth and vibrant color, developed through years of intuitive practice.

Her major influences include Richard Diebenkorn, Amy Sillman, and Robert Motherwell, with connections to Bauhaus and Abstract Expressionism. As an active member of The Painters Group of San Luis Obispo, Hale regularly exhibits locally, including the Annual SLO County Art Studio Tour. She has been featured in publications like Art in America and Artspace Magazine.

Balancing her time between painting and activities like gardening, kayaking, and biking, Hale’s art reflects her deep connection to nature. Now focusing on exhibiting and community engagement, she aspires to share the unique narratives within her art, underscoring its important role in society.