About the Artist
Elizabeth Cheek is a visual artist from Cambridgeshire, UK, whose work combines realism and abstraction through layered mixed media and oil painting. Drawing inspiration from her South African heritage, global travels, and the wild beauty of nature, she creates soulful, vibrant works of art that celebrate freedom, joy and connection to the natural world.
In 2012, Elizabeth earned a degree in Contemporary Lens Media at the University of Lincoln, where she developed a fascination with light and imagery, and exhibited her work after receiving recognition in both national and international competitions. She continued working across various creative fields, including décor art sold across the world, before reconnecting with painting as a deeply personal practice. She is now completing the Milan Art Institute’s ‘Art Mastery Program,’ refining her distinctive style of organic vibrancy and symbolic depth.
"Choosing a life of authentic artistry has taught me that there is no final destination in art or life, both are constant journeys of growth. My art pushes me to self-reflect, to understand my motivations and trust my intuition." - Elizabeth Cheek
Now based in Brighton, Elizabeth creates from her home studio near the sea, developing a new series inspired by underwater life and migration. Her work invites viewers into a space of joy, wonder, and reconnection with nature’s strength and beauty.
Artist Statement
Art is my way of exploring the world within and around me. Traveling and immersing myself in nature have revealed its wild, unbounded beauty, inspiring joyful memories that continue to fuel my work. My paintings centre on animals and portraits, reflecting their beauty, strength, and serenity, while also using them as mirrors to explore the untamed parts of ourselves. Through this, I explore the parallels between their instinctive freedom and our human longing for emotional liberation.
Spiritual exploration, rooted in yoga and its philosophy, often manifests in the first layers of my paintings as the sacred ‘Flower of Life.’ Though not always visible, it remains beneath the surface, reminding me that harmony exists in moments of true presence.
Working in layers of mixed media using collage, acrylic inks, markers, spray paints…before adding oils for depth and vibrancy allows me to balance freedom and expression with focus and refinement. I strive to create works that are soulful and uplifting, evoking a sense of freedom and awe, and encouraging viewers to reconnect with the wild and joyful spirit within themselves.
