Elizabeth Rhoads Read

3951 Hickory Ridge Lane S.E.

Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

319-365-8531

readtom@aol.com

Elizabeth received a BA degree in 1972 in the areas of art and political science from Cornell College. Since graduating, Elizabeth has pursued many careers including teaching in an alternative high school, being a private investigator, and counseling women on employment issues. She has also devoted many hours to community improvement. During this time, she continued creating art; and for the past 17 years she has been working as a full time artist while raising her two children.

Over the years, Elizabeth has experimented and created wonderful works of art in several mediums. As her artwork continued to evolve, her pieces leaped off the watercolor paper and transformed into three-dimensional creations. The environment and nature that surrounds her inspires Elizabeth's work. She is drawn towards simple materials to create her visions including paper, used fabric, and abject items.

Elizabeth's work involves varying texture and illusive lights interspersed with minute details, concentrating on the forcefulness of dark areas and the contrast between spaces. These pieces exude recesses, secret hiding places that pull one in for shelter. Her philosophy is to immerse herself in textures and tones to express the intensity of emotions.

She has participated in juried and invitational shows with her large fiber wall hangings and paper sculptures. Elizabeth has been involved with public art projects and her work can be found in private and corporate collections.