1976 –
Growing up, Liz Lewis was frequently told by her father, “You’re my favorite son.” As Liz was his only child, this was a laudatory statement earned by Liz’s particular fondness for the study of wildlife and her passion for the sporting pursuits associated with it. Shooting firearms by age four and hunting woodcock and grouse in the north woods of Wisconsin throughout her childhood and adolescence, Liz developed an intimate knowledge of game birds obtained in the same manner as artist and naturalist John James Audubon: by holding them in hand and perusing each feather and avian characteristic with affectionate devotion. Also an avid big game hunter as well as a bird hunter, Liz applies a similar observation and sporting approach to most of her subjects, believing that only by engaging in its pursuit can she gain a unique understanding of the wildlife she enjoys.
When not in the outdoors observing or hunting wildlife, Liz pursued her parallel passion, art, by means of sketching, carving and sculpting myriad memories captured in the field. Uncertain of the plausibility of making a living as an artist, Liz graduated with a B.S. in Fish and Wildlife biology from Montana State University, a course of study made evident in Liz’s art through her close attention to anatomical accuracy and an excellent eye for proportion. Throughout her adult life, Liz has worked as a shooting instructor, fly fishing guide and freelance wildlife and sporting photographer. Recently she has given up these professional activities to devote her energies to sculpting, which, more than any other medium, the artist feels comes naturally to her.
Lewis claims the work of Carl Rungius, A.B. Frost and William Schaldach as her early influences, and she takes inspiration from the more contemporary sculptors Walter Matia and friend Rod Zullo. As a sculptor, her work represents a focus in both sporting and wildlife art: two genres, which the artist feels need not be mutually exclusive. Liz endeavors to give expression to her own unique vision of wildlife and to the ancient human passion associated with its pursuit.