Meet Elizabeth Dryden: Southwest Contemporary Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Dryden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important lesson my career as a professional artist has taught me over the years is to believe in myself. To make art that comes from my heart and realize it might not be for everybody and that is ok. That is what makes art and each individual’s likes and dislikes so unique! I have had people tell me that the only way Id make money as an artist is “after I die”, or “don’t quit your day job” statements, or it would be impossible for me to be an artist because I didn’t look the part. Ive had galleries tell me my prices were too high, and at the same time galleries telling me that my prices were too low. When you are doing something “different” than the norm, I feel like it is easy for people to judge or disapprove because they may not fully understand who I am and just how much I am willing to work for something I believe in. This is my dream and I had to learn that only I can accomplish it, regardless others opinions and free advice.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a culmination of experiences, feelings, and thoughts throughout the years put onto canvas using rich colors and textures. Its extremely long hours, working several jobs, saying no to things you want to do with friends to spend time in the studio, and learning the difficult task of believing in myself and staying focused. Being an artist not only includes creating the work, but also the marketing, advertising, and selling of the product. It is a business and not a hobby, and sometimes can be very stressful. I LOVE to paint and love to bring happiness to others with my work, but I understand it also comes with dedication and the business side of things that can be hard for a lot of artists. I have learned to try to stay positive and focus on the “big picture”, rather than getting bogged down in the day to day struggles and loose sight of my goals. My work is unique because it is a fresh spin on traditional Southwestern art, using vivid colors and mixed media for a fun contemporary feel.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would give them the Dallas tour! I would take them downtown to see the original Neiman Marcus for lunch, Deep Ellum for some beer and live music, kayak at White Rock Lake, breakfast at Barbecs, dinner at The Heights in East Dallas, The Dallas World Aquarium, visit galleries on Dragon Street, BBQ at the Smokey Rose, and then a field trip up to Lake Lavon to see the Backland Prairie Raptor Center where they rehabilitate injured birds of prey and then set them free.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Id like to give a shoutout to God and my family and their support throughout the years with nurturing my creativity and providing me with the tools I need to succeed. My mentor and owner of Texas Treasures Fine Art Gallery in Boerne, TX Johnny Rosa. Justin Apperson for always believing in me, White Rock lake area for its beauty, and my most loyal friends and fur babies Pete (dog) and Rupert (cat).

Website: www.elizabethdryden.com
Instagram: @elizabethdrydenfineart
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-dryden-3707b113/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edrydenpaintings
Other: https://www.texastreasuresfineart.com/elizabeth-dryden