Elizabeth Tolley Fine Art

About the Artist

Elizabeth Tolley - Biography

 

Elizabeth "Libby" Tolley

American Landscape Artist and Author

 

“Libby’s work is set apart from that of most other artists because her paintings convey a spiritual element that she finds in the landscape that surrounds her. This gives them a depth and appeal that transcends beauty. Like a good novel or great music, you can go back to them and enjoy them again and again. In other words, Libby is in love with the local landscape...and it shows.”

—   Mark Sarrow, Collector, Sonoma, California 2010

—   American Art Collector Magazine 2010

 

Artist Statement

 

As a landscape painter, I seek to find the subtle nuances; the color, light, and shapes that help create a sense of place.

Capturing the mood and heartbeat of the land, as I experience it, is important to me.

 

My focus has been painting the Central Coast landscape as it is today.

While I don't paint to record, many of my painting sites have changed or are already a memory.

 

My goal is to create paintings that honor my subject and nourish my soul.

 

I’m striving to understand the light and then take it and the subject matter to a feeling, an idea of what it feels like to be present in the location. I have always associated painting the land as a way of connecting to something much greater than myself.

 

 

About the Artist

 

Elizabeth "Libby" Tolley is an award-winning American Landscape painter and author.

 

Living on California’s Central Coast, her focus has been painting the rural landscape from life.

 

As a lifelong self-motivated student, Libby has developed her artistic abilities by seeking mentors who guided the development of her talent. Working both in watercolor and oil paint, Libby’s career has attracted the attention of editors, museum directors, gallery owners and collectors.

 

In 2007, Libby completed an instructional book on painting landscapes titled, Oil Painter's Solution Book: Landscapes, 100 answers to your oil painting questions. Published by North Light Books, the book answers questions students have asked over the years, and illustrates Libby’s process of painting both on location and in her studio. Over 30,000 copies of the book have been purchased by artists in all mediums and is in its third printing.

 

Libby’s home and studio are located in a canyon on California’s central coast near Morro Bay, surrounded by orchards and grazing cattle. From her studio she hears the sounds of birds and running water in the creek outside. "Layon" owner of the Vault Gallery said visiting the canyon,  "is like walking into one of her paintings."

 

To continue the tradition of helping other artists develop their talents, Libby teaches several workshops each year and uses her newsletter and blog to answer questions and offer painting solutions. Her website is www.elizabethtolley.com.

 

 

Awards 

  • Paso Robles Festival of the Arts, Plein Air Masters Exhibiton and Plein Air Event 2012-2015 2013, Award of Excellence
  • Awards Juror, San Luis Obispo Plein Air 2011
  • Glenna Hartmann Memorial Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, Best of Show, February 2010
  • Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational Exhibition 2008, "Coastal Splendor", Award
  • Heritage Art Exhibition sponsored by the Irvine Museum 2007, Award  
  • Capistrano Light, Irvine Ranch Exhibition 2007, Award
  • Oil Painters of America Western Regional, Award of Excellence, Best Signature Member 2005
  • San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival, Best of Show award 2005 San Luis Obispo     
  • Plein Air Festival, 2nd place award 2004 Carmel Plein Air, Award 2004     
  • Oil Painters of America Western Regional, Award of Excellence 2003
  • Tucson Plein Air, Sonoran Desert Museum, Jurors Commendation Award 2003
  • International Artist Magazine, 2nd Place Award, Seascapes, Rivers and Lakes 2003
  • California Art Club, Awarded Artist Membership 2002
  • Oil Painters of America, Awarded Signature Membership 2001
  • Finalist, in The Artist's Magazine Landscape Painting Competition 2001

 

Exhibitions


California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibitions, 2019, 2021

Ojai Museum of Art Invitational, Ojai, CA 2020

California Impressionists, The Masters and the Greats they Inspire 2019

  • Point Buchon Plein Air 17 Invitational, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, CA 2017
  • California Art Club 106th Gold Medal Exhibition, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, CA 2017
  • Signature Impressions, Huntington Beach Art Center, CA 2016
  • Vault Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Cambria, CA 2015
  • Artists of Distinction, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, CA 2015
  • Oil Painters of America Virtuosos, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY 2015
  • Festival of the Arts, Paso Robles, CA 2015
  • Plein Air Painting Kern County, The Metro Galleries, Bakersfield, CA 2015
  • Artists & Their Mentors, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, CA 2015
  • Artists of Distinction, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, CA 2014
  • Paso Robles Art Fest Signature Show, Paso Robles, CA 2014
  • Women Who Paint En Plein Air, Roger's Garden Gallery, Corona Del Mar, CA 2014
  • Then and Now: 100 Years of Painting, The Irvine Museum, CA 2014
  • Plein Air Invitational, Golden West College Gallery, Huntington Beach, CA 2014
  • Art of the National Parks, Argosy II Gallery, Bar Harbor, ME 2013
  • Plein Air Masters Invitational, Studios on the Park, Paso Robles, CA 2013
  • Vault Gallery, New Paintings, Cambria CA 2012
  • Studio On the Park, Masters Plein Air Invitational, Paso Robles, CA 2012
  • Finding Beauty, Backroads Close to Home, Knowlton Gallery Lodi, CA 2011
  • California Art Club: Gems from the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, CA 2011
  • California Art Club 99th Gold Medal Exhibition, 2010
  • Twilight on the Terrace, Hearst Castle Plein Air Invitational, 2010
  • A SENSE OF PEACE: Elizabeth Tolley Solo Exhibition of New Paintings, Vault Gallery, Cambria, CA, May 2010
  • Twilight on the Terrace, Hearst Castle Plein Air Invitational, 2009
  • California Art Club 98th Gold Medal Exhibition, 2009
  • Twilight on the Terrace, Hearst Castle Plein Air Invitational, 2008
  • California Art Club 97th Gold Medal Exhibition, 2008
  • Heritage Art Exhibition sponsored by the Irvine Museum, 2008
  • California Mission Invitational, Roger's Gardens, Costa Mesa 2008
  • California Art Club 96th Gold Medal Exhibition, 2007
  • Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational Exhibition " Coastal Splendor"
  • San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival 2007
  • Solo Exhibition, Debra Huse Gallery 2007
  • California Art Club 95th Gold Medal Exhibition 2006
  • Oil Painters of America National 2006
  • San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival 2006
  • Acadia Invitational Exhibition 2006, Argosy Gallery, Bar Harbor, Maine
  • Maui Plein Air Invitational, Hawaii, 2006
  • Capistrano Light, Irvine Ranch Exhibition, 2006
  • California Art Club 94th Gold Medal Exhibition 2005
  • Oil Painters of America National 2005
  • Solo Exhibition, Vault Gallery 2005
  • Solo Exhibition, Vault Gallery 2004
  • Finalist, The Artist's Magazine Landscape Painting Competition Oil Painters of America National 2003
  • Oil Painters National 2004
  • San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival 2003
  • Solo Exhibition, Vault Gallery 2003
  • Carmel Plein Air 2003
  • Oil Painters of America National 2002
  • Finalist, The Artist's Magazine Landscape Painting Competition. Painting chosen for the cover of the 2002 Artist Magazine Calendar
  • Oil Painters of America National 2001
  • Solo Exhibition, Vault Gallery 2001
  • 81st Annual National Watercolor Society Show

 

Memberships

 

  • California Art Club, Elected Artist Member
  • Oil Painters of America( (O.P.A.) Signature Member
  • National Watercolor Society (N.W.S.) Signature Member
  • Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Signature Member
  • Alla Prima International, Signature Member
  • Co-founder, San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment (S.L.O.P.E), 1993
  • Libby’s work has benefitted diverse groups such as: Land conservancies, Perinatal Substance Abuse Program and Casa, Friends of Hearst Castle, and the San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival. Libby’s original paintings, as well as reproductions, can be found across the country.

 

 

Museum Director's Reviews

Mr. Jean Stern, Recognized Authority on California Impressionism, Author and Executive Director, The Irvine Museum.

Writing about " Platinum Morning" exhibited in the California Art Club Gold Medal Exhibition April 2006

 

"To me, Libby Tolley's work succeeds on two levels: First, there is the outward beauty of the land, sky and ocean, presented in clean and direct areas of glorious color. This is the level that appeals immediately to anyone who views her work.

Secondly, there is the deeper, softly spiritual level, the one that comes to the viewer very soon after the initial look. This meaning is manifested through her adept handling of color. Color is the messenger, and in Libby's case, the narrative is merely foreground. Libby's work is a treat to the eye and the spirit."

 

 

Emily Falke, Curator, Bakersfield Museum of Art, October 2005

 

"I was struck by the fact that I kept having to return to Libby's work while jurying the Plein Air Festival at SLO. I always believe that when you can't stop looking at a painting that it means that it carries a depth beyond the surface. There is no doubt that Libby is a fine artist with a great sense of composition, color, texture, and style. Where she goes beyond many artists is in her sense of light and mood.

In the first place winning painting titled "Daybreak" she has captured the fragility of morning in a most ethereal and delicate way. Her sky is the palest pinkish yellow, transparent and soft and new. Her work looks realistic from afar yet abstract close up. This is another act of genius. Up close her trees appear to be "scraped back" with a palette knife appearing old in juxtaposition to the newness of the morning sky.

The "content" of her works goes so much further beyond the simple landscape they appear. There is a spirituality about the works, even in her quick draw piece created Saturday morning in less than two hours, where she describes the trees as revealing the coming of fall. Something seems to be "pending," about to happen, ever changing. She appeared to have studied with the masters or at least with a highly academic art institute or university or mentor artists(s) the latter which is true. She is impressive as an overall artist in her technique, spirit and depth of content... probably the best Plein Air painter I have seen in my time as curator at the Bakersfield Museum of Art."

 

DEDICATIONS to my Mentors

None of us get here by ourselves. All artists represent a whole history of artists who came before us. This website is dedicated, with appreciation and gratitude, to four artists who have taught and supported me along the way:

  • Darwin Musselman
  • Don O'Neill
  • Irby Brown
  • George Gibson

 

Darwin Musselman, AWS, NWS: 1916-2001

I thank Darwin, who spotted my talent and understood my lack of training, who took me under his wing, and who taught me drawing and design in his studio for three years. He taught me to see in values, and he believed in my ability, for which I thank him. He opened the door. He was the one who said to me when I wanted to work in watercolor on location, "Work with George Gibson. He can design the landscape like no other."

 

Don O'Neill, AWS, NWS: 1924-2007

I thank Don, who, by the luck of the Irish, as it were, was teaching a workshop in Cambria. I made the right decision by going. Don is a master of shape-making. He taught me to see in abstract shapes and to understand the beauty of passages. I attended his workshops as often as I could. He became a friend and mentor. He also taught me how to teach through encouragement. And he encouraged me to work with George Gibson.

 

Irby Brown, 1928-2016

I thank Irby, a wonderful man and fabulous painter. Because he has chosen the Central Coast as his second home, I was able to meet this gifted and inspired painter. He paints the light in a way that touches me to my very soul. I wait for the days that we get to go out and paint together, or just talk art.

 

George Gibson, NA, AWS, NWS: 1904-2001.

And, to my very special mentor, George Gibson. I thank George, a man who took me under his wing in so many ways. He was an artist who helped shape my personal life as well as my professional life. Those who knew George or his work, know the gift. We shared many wonderful painting days on location on our Central Coast.

There are so many individuals who have supported and encouraged me and my work....To all of you, I say: Thank you for sharing this journey!


All artwork (c) Elizabeth Tolley 2000-2025 (805) 995-1882