Retired Dentist. Former Chef ... and award winning Artist! Dr. Elizabeth Lee is a renaissance gal splitting her time between Florida and the Northern Neck of Virginia. She's passionate about life, all its offerings ... and following the creative heart wherever it may lead.
She holds a B.S. in Biology from Roanoke College and a D.D.S. from Medical College of Virginia. Working her way through a bucket list, she was Executive Chef and Co-Owner of the Peacock's Pantry, earning the coveted honor of BCA's, Best Chef's America, where she was deemed among the top 1% of chefs across America in 2013.
In the world of art, she is an award-winning artist who began taking watercolor classes in 2003 with local artists in the Richmond area. Many years later, through self-study, she changed her focus and discovered her passion for oils and acrylics. Pushing paint around became therapeutic and was a fabulous way to unwind after a long day providing patient care and being submerged in delivering detailed dental work. Primarily, she’s an alla prima painter, as she prefers to complete a painting from start to finish all in one sitting.
After being juried into her first small works show she discovered a fascination and curiosity for smaller, tiny paintings. As a result, her portfolio tends to focus on smaller works … because, as she says … “Large paintings require large, empty walls, whereas everyone can find a space on some wall in their home to accommodate a charming little painting,”
She's been a member and artist in residence at Crossroads Art Center in Richmond, Virginia for nearly 20 years and was a member and artist in residence at RAL Art Center for nearly 10 years until moving out of the area. She is honored to participate as a guest artist in shows and exhibitions at galleries across the United States. In the spirit of giving back … Elizabeth contributes paintings regularly to schools, foundations and charitable organizations for auctions and fundraisers.
This feisty Pisces is both right and left brained. Dentistry, she considers " the art part of medicine," where she created and cared for beautiful smiles for over 31 years in private practice until retiring in 2021. Watercolor taught this detail-oriented dentist to loosen up and let the colors flow. With nature as her inspiration, she paints florals and landscapes en plein air, from photos and still life, in acrylic, oil and watercolor and has in the last few years, enjoyed dabbling in abstracts, for which she's received numerous awards.
When not in the studio, you'll find Elizabeth traveling with her husband, John, playing pickleball, bocce or golf, enjoying bike rides on the Florida trails or hosting any number of parties, social events and entertaining at home with friends and family.
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