Elizabeth Hovley - Fine Artist , Entrepreneur
Liz's current work focuses on painting the American West and its myriad of wildlife. Her subjects include painting American bison, longhorn cattle, wild horses, cowboys, Indigenous Americans, and aspen trees.
Salt Lake City, Utah-based painter Liz Hovley has been honing her painting skills since she was a child. Her artistic evolution has allowed her to explore the union between realism, abstractionism, and impressionism. Her evolving passions have enabled her to create works on many subjects, from sports to flowers, and portraits to animals and landscapes. Liz’s current work focuses on painting the American West and its myriad of wildlife.
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As a child, Liz expressed a passion for anything creative. Her parents recognized this and enrolled her in art lessons when she was nine-years-old. Her art teacher encouraged her to refine as many mediums and styles as possible during her weekly, dynamic, private instruction for the next ten years.
In her elementary school years, Liz often sold her drawings to classmates or set up ‘ice-cream stand’ tables on her lawn to sell drawings to people driving past her house. In fifth grade, she received her first official painting commission from her teacher for a whopping $50. During middle school, she continued to seek opportunities to sell and display her work, and often sold notebook binders with her drawings to classmates.
Liz began to attract more public attention for her artwork while she was in high school. She had enrolled in a sculpture class and was encouraged by a new sculpture teacher, who was, unbeknownst to Liz, secretly submitting Liz’s sculptures to competitions and shows. Two of Liz’s sculptures were featured in the newspaper, and she received several awards and scholarships due to the support of this teacher. Liz was also featured on the news and in the newspaper for her local murals during her Junior year of High School.
Liz obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Weber State University (WSU) in 2021. While attending WSU, she worked with the university’s athletic department to create paintings for the donors of the new athletic complex at Stewart Stadium and served as President of one of WSU’s art clubs. Her work at WSU opened up the opportunity for her to create a special painting commissioned by Intermountain Healthcare.
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Liz now paints full-time as she continues to explore new avenues for her artwork. She currently lives with her rescue fish and gloriously, wonderful husband.
Education
Bachelors of Business Administration - Weber State University
2017-2021
Associates of General Studies - Weber State University
Awards
2022
" 21 Under 31: Young Artists to Collect Now" Southwest Art Magazine, August/September 2022
2021
Finalist: The Church History Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 12th International Art Competition
2018
Scholarship/Tuition-Waver for Tina Garrett Painting Workshop : Awarded by Matthew Choberka, Chair & Professor of Art
2018
Opportunity Quest Competition- 3rd Place :
Honor issuer Brandon Stoddard, Hall Global Entrepreneurship Center. Honor description: Awarded $2,000 for a business executive summary. Placed 3rd of over 50 applicants.
Exhibitions
Group
2022
CNS-Cares.org Art and Soup
Honorary Clientele
2022
Intermountain Healthcare
2022
The Mule Deer Foundation
2019
Intermountain Healthcare
2018
Weber State University Athletics
Artist Statement: "My work is inspired by the wildlife and scenery I see in my home state, Utah. I try to capture the 'feeling' of the subject and landscape through bold colors and patterns. Each piece is embodied with joyful emotions."
