Texas native Elizabeth Dryden finds inspiration in horses - in their quiet strength, their dignity, their majestic beauty.  Her affinity for these creatures, and for all animals in general, almost brought her to another career entirely: Veterinary Medicine. However, upon arriving at college she quickly discovered her true passion for painting. After receiving her BA in Art Education from Texas Woman's University in 2005, Elizabeth began honing her technique incorporating elements of abstract expressionism with a unique contemporary style. Among her influences are Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee, Pable Picasso, and horse sculptor Deborah Butterfield.

Elizabeth works predominately in acrylics or mixed media and favors the rich hues of iridescent golds, midnight blues and deep burgundies. She frequently uses loose, exaggerated lines to sketch her subjects, creating an effect that is both distorted and carefree.  Although she opted for painting over being a veterinarian, Elizabeth is still drawn to animals for her subject matter.  She has an expansive collection of eclectic paintings, from cats and dogs to roosters and penguins, all of which are infused with personality and wry humor.

Residing in Lexington, Kentucky, "The Horse Capital of the World", Elizabeth's most recent work is painting horses.  She is fascinated by the juxtaposition of the high-finance business side of the racing industry with the unassuming elegance of these noble creatures.  Her works convey the intensity, thrill and glamour of a horse race while simultaneously capturing the animal's calm, regal bearing.  Elizabeth often takes pieces of actual racing programs and paints them onto the canvas as a way of portraying how the two vastly different sides of the industry are intertwined.

Elizabeth is the recipient of the 2005 Chancellor Student Research Scholar Award for Art at Texas Woman's University, and was also President of the Art Teacher's Network, TWU from 2003-2005. Her work is currently on exhibit at the Christopher Michael Gallery in Lexington, KY; Hockensmith Fine Art Gallery in Georgetown, KY; Diana LeVine Fine Art in Boston, MA; and at Studio 107 in Salem, MA where she is the solo exhibit.  Several paintings from her "Horse Collection" were featured at the 2009 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

"Giving personality to the mundane and ordinary that we so often overlook gives me the ablility to slow down and not take for granted what is around me.  I want to promote the beauty in life, and the importance of recognizing the routine, everyday surroundings in a unique and special light." - Elizabeth Dryden