Elizabeth Phelps
Lifelines: Sustento de Vida - 2022
I first heard about NCFH when I was in the field of public health, working with teenagers using theater as a means of discussing health issues. One of my favorite projects at that time was with a local farm worker community. I then earned my teaching certificate and taught art and ELL at the high school level. Next, I shifted to my favorite project of all: raising my twin sons.
All through my life, I’ve loved to paint. I’ve continued to find ways to indulge this passion – whether it be a quick study from life or a larger mural project. Now that my sons are in college, for the first time in my life, I am able to paint full time. I’ve had the fortune of being able to study with masters such as Susan Lyon and Michelle Dunaway. I am particularly interested in artwork that addresses social issues, and I’m thrilled to be able to support the wonderful work that NCFH does.
Elizabeth Phelps’ artwork can be viewed on Instagram @lizphelpsart, and she can be contacted at lizphelps18@aol.com.
Purchase Elizabeth’s artwork here.
What inspired you to respond to the NCFH Call for Artist announcement, would you be interested again?
Creating artwork for NCFH’s scholarships is a win-win situation for me – I get to do what I love and, at the same time, support an organization that does fabulous work. It was delightful to be back as the commemorative artist after 22 years. The idea for this diptych came to me early in the pandemic, when I noticed that farm workers were often left off lists of essential workers that were being honored publicly. I wanted to create this diptych to honor, equally, two groups of people that have been lifelines throughout this pandemic.
Did you learn anything new about the agricultural worker population through this experience?
Meeting people at this conference warmed my soul. It was wonderful to surrounded by so many people who are working so hard to improve other people’s lives.
What was your “take home” (i.e., favorite, or most memorable part) of this experience?
I was touched that so many people responded to my paintings by sharing stories about their childhoods, their families, or their experiences during the pandemic. I was very much inspired by people’s resiliency, determination, and hope.
Will this experience influence your future artwork? If so, how?
I would love to find other opportunities to create artwork that benefits organizations that I support. I think NCFH’s commemorative artwork project serves as a wonderful model.
I certainly enjoyed this project.
Best to you,
Liz
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