Artist Profile: Lizbeth Meredith
Mary altered book
Artist: Lizbeth Meredith
Art Squared 2
I am a very young artist of 70 years! By that I mean, I only started playing around with paper, glue, paint, etc. about 3 years ago. I didn’t go to kindergarten, so I am playing catch-up now and having the time of my life. Art is something I have been missing my whole life. I was told I had no artistic talent when I was a teenager. How I longed to express myself, to play with colour. The first art I created was a collage–my version of something I saw in Somerset magazine. It wasn’t wonderful, but it wasn’t bad either and I loved doing it! Somehow, I found the Yahoo Altered Book Group, learned what an AB was, and I was hooked!
Art Squared
Under the Skin altered book
My first AB was about women and their (our) vanities. I used a book called “Under the Skin,” which seemed fitting considering our tendency to emphasize beauty, and how that is only skin deep. I have made only five complete ABs but have several more “in the works” and several spreads I have done for the AB Group’s monthly challenge. The AB everybody likes best is my “Book of Silly Birds.” My favourite is the Mermaid Chronicles. In each of these, I dared to draw! I also make “art squared” and ATCs, accordion books, and cards. I have just started keeping a journal. I altered a couple of framed prints for my daughter’s new apartment and was very flattered when she liked them! I have learned so much from the Yahoo AB group, but also from experimentation which I feel is the most fun of all. I would urge others who have zero artistic background, to just get some basic supplies, join the AB group, and EXPERIMENT!
Mermaids
Bio Stuff:
I was born in England and I am still a British subject. I have worked as a journalist, a nanny, and a Berlitz teacher (in Palma de Mallorca, Spain). But my longest gig was as stay-at-home-mom. My husband, Carl (a Californian) was in the Coast Guard and so we moved around a lot. We have seven children: two born in Puerto Rico; two born in Alaska; and one each born in Alabama, Michigan and New York. We have seven grandchildren, only one of whom lives nearby. We live on Cape Cod.
Self Portrait
Silly Birds
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Book Arts, Collage, Creativity, Mixed Media, Paper
12 opinions for Artist Profile: Lizbeth Meredith
Rosemary Scott
Sep 6, 2007 at 8:37 am
I very much enjoyed reading about Lizbeth, particularly as we knew each other many years ago, and admire her artistic achievements. I enjoyed the pictures very much but am still unsure of what it meant by an ‘altered book’. Is it only the cover that is altered?
Cyndi
Sep 6, 2007 at 8:53 am
There are as many different ways to alter books as there are artists who do them! I’ve got lots of information in the archives here, many posts in early March 2007 which you can access in the right-hand sidebar. Here’s one to get you started:
http://www.layersuponlayers.com/my-favorite-altered-book-sources/
Skye
Sep 6, 2007 at 9:42 am
Truly inspiring..Like Lizabeth, I was told the same thing, that I had no creative bones in my body..Sad, I didn’t do much..Now that I too am a grandmother, I’m starting to climb out of that box..
Congratulations to a wonderful art piece and a truly inspiring woman…
Meredith "Mollye" Self
Sep 6, 2007 at 10:07 am
Loved reading about Lizbeth, what a joy she is. Was especially interesting to me as I will soon be 64 years young and my first name is Meredith named for my maternal side of family with last name of Meredith! Way to go Lizbeth and if you have a chance, take a peek at my site. You’re a gem!
Vera Lucia
Sep 6, 2007 at 10:23 am
Lizbeth is an example to all of us who entered the altered art world after our first youth. I love her work , my favorite being The mermaids’ Cronicles.
And I would like to congratulate Cyndi for her innitiative in bringing the artists’ profile to us.
Thank you and big hugs from Brazil.
Vera
Shirley
Sep 6, 2007 at 9:44 pm
I too am a fan of Lizbeth’s work. I tend to be a bit bias though, I happen to be her daughter in law. She does a wonderful job at creating, whether it’s setting a table, arranging flowers or altering books. I am not surprised to see her being celebrated as an artist. She really does deserve it. Congratulations!
Love,
Shirley
Cyndi
Sep 7, 2007 at 9:18 am
Thank you all for leaving your comments of encouragement and support for Lizbeth! She is a really special lady :)
Lizbeth
Sep 7, 2007 at 10:47 am
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such nice comments!
Trudi
Sep 7, 2007 at 12:44 pm
You are an inspiration to me. I just had my 1st creative birthday and turned 50 in the same month! Thank you for giving me another reason to dream!
Karen Campbell
Sep 7, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Great profile, Lizbeth!! I missed out on art school also and started doing my thing about 4 years ago — interesting that we both picked it up about the same time :)
You are a great inspiration to us all, Lizbeth!
Donna
Sep 10, 2007 at 11:12 pm
As usual my mum-in-law is an inspiration!
As usual her work is awesome!
As usual I’m an admirer!
Love ya,
Donna
Barbara Wezniak
Sep 11, 2007 at 5:56 pm
What a privilege to have such a prominent place in your Artist Profile!! I feel honored. It is wonderful to see your artistic ability expanding — with elegance, humor, romance, spirituality and on and on — !! Our friendship is very special and I know it will grow - thanks to E- mail - as we move on to Arizona.
Much love, Barbara
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: