7 Essential Facts About Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson's 'Paper Paintings' And Her 2025 Art Workshops
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson is not just an artist; she is a trailblazer who has redefined the medium of collage, transforming humble paper into vibrant, textured "Paper Paintings" that captivate the eye and challenge traditional definitions of fine art. As of late 2024 and early 2025, Nelson is at a pivotal point in her career, dedicating a significant portion of her time to a major solo exhibition while simultaneously expanding her influence through a series of highly sought-after international art workshops.
Her work stands out for its meticulous detail, brilliant use of color, and the innovative combination of traditional painting principles with the tactile, fragmented nature of collage. This deep dive into her life, unique technique, and latest professional endeavors provides the most current and comprehensive look at one of the contemporary art world's most dynamic figures.
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson: Comprehensive Artist Biography
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson is a contemporary American artist best known for her unique mixed-media collage technique, which she has branded as "Paper Paintings." Her career trajectory is a fascinating blend of formal art education, professional design experience, and a relentless pursuit of a unique artistic voice.
- Full Name: Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson
- Hometown/Origin: Born and raised in New England.
- Current Residence: Has lived in Central Florida for over 17 years.
- Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Advertising Design from Syracuse University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, Syracuse, New York.
- Signature Technique: "Paper Paintings"—fine art collage created from torn bits of hand-made, hand-painted, and found papers.
- Professional Affiliations: Signature Member of the National Collage Society.
- Representation: Represented nationally by the prestigious Grand Bohemian Galleries.
- Published Works: Author of the self-published book, Painting Paper, which details her innovative technique.
- Recent Focus (2024): Working exclusively on creating a collection of paintings for a solo exhibition at Arden Gallery.
Nelson's background in advertising design provided a strong foundation in composition, color theory, and visual communication, skills she now masterfully applies to her fine art. Her transition from commercial design to a full-time studio artist was marked by a desire to create something tangible and lasting, leading to the development of her signature collage style.
The Secrets of 'Paper Paintings': How Elizabeth St. Hilaire Creates Her Collages
The term "Paper Paintings" is not merely a clever name; it perfectly encapsulates the essence of Nelson’s work, which bridges the gap between traditional painting and modern mixed-media collage. Her process is highly involved, transforming the very material she uses—paper—into a medium that behaves like paint.
The Hand-Painted Paper Foundation
The most crucial and distinctive element of Nelson’s technique is the creation of her own paper palette. Unlike many collage artists who rely solely on magazines or found materials, Nelson hand-paints the majority of the papers she uses.
- Gel Plate Mono Printing: She frequently utilizes a gel plate (Gelli plate) to create unique, heavily textured, and layered mono prints on various types of paper. This process allows her to control the color, pattern, and value of her "paper paint" before it is even applied to the canvas.
- Acrylic and Mixed Media: Nelson incorporates acrylic paint, metallic leaf, and stencils into her paper-making process, adding depth and complexity to the source material. She has even released her own line of stencils and masks, like the "Klimt Scribbles and Doodles II," to aid in this process.
This meticulous preparation ensures that every piece of paper is a unique brushstroke of color and texture, giving her collages a painterly quality that is often mistaken for actual oil or acrylic painting from a distance.
The Collage Application Process
Once the papers are prepared, the actual collage process begins. Nelson tears the hand-painted papers into small pieces, carefully selecting each fragment based on its color, value, and texture to build up the image. The application is similar to impasto painting, where thick layers of paint create a textured surface.
- Torn vs. Cut: She favors tearing the paper, which creates a softer, more organic edge than cutting, allowing the fragments to blend seamlessly and create a sense of movement and energy.
- Layering and Value: The artist works in layers, using darker and lighter pieces of paper to establish shadows and highlights, giving her subjects a three-dimensional form. Her subject matter often includes vibrant depictions of animals (like her famous rabbit and cow art), landscapes, florals, and portraits.
- Incorporating Found Papers: While her hand-painted papers form the bulk of the work, Nelson also incorporates found papers—such as old cards, newspaper clippings, and documents—to add a layer of narrative and personal history to her pieces, commemorating the documents that surround us daily.
This technique is a testament to her philosophy that collage is not a lesser art form but a complex, demanding, and highly expressive medium that can achieve the richness and depth of traditional painting.
Upcoming Exhibitions and High-Demand Art Workshops in 2024–2025
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson remains an incredibly active force in the art world, balancing the demanding work of creating new collections with her role as a highly sought-after instructor. Her schedule for late 2024 and 2025 highlights her growing international appeal and her commitment to sharing her "Paper Paintings" technique with others.
The Arden Gallery Solo Exhibition Focus
A major professional focus for Nelson throughout 2024 is the creation of an entirely new body of work for a solo exhibition at the prestigious Arden Gallery. This dedicated period of studio work underscores the importance of the show, allowing her to explore new themes and push the boundaries of her collage technique. Art enthusiasts and collectors are eagerly anticipating the unveiling of this new collection, which promises to be a significant event in her career.
International and National Workshop Schedule
Nelson is renowned for her engaging and informative workshops, which travel across the U.S. and internationally. These classes, which often sell out quickly, focus on her specific methods of paper preparation and collage application, enabling students to unlock their own creativity through mixed media.
Key upcoming workshops and teaching engagements include:
- Hacienda Mosaico, Mexico (2024): A new workshop experience focusing on hand-painting collage papers through gel plate mono printing, with a session that combines her portraits and florals workshops, drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Frida Kahlo.
- New Braunfels Art League, Texas (November 4–6, 2025): A three-day workshop exploring the versatility of materials, blending acrylic paint, metallic leaf, stencils, and gel-printed collage papers.
- Tuscany, Italy (October 2025): Nelson has announced a new international workshop in Tuscany, offering students an immersive experience in a stunning location.
- Hudson River Valley Art Workshops: She continues to be a featured instructor at respected venues like the Hudson River Valley Art Workshops, teaching new tools and ways of looking at landscapes through collage.
These workshops serve as vital opportunities for emerging and established artists to learn the intricacies of her technique, which is a powerful blend of painting, drawing, and assemblage. Her dedication to teaching solidifies her role not just as a creator, but as a key educator in the contemporary mixed-media movement.
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson’s continued output, her commitment to a major solo show, and her packed teaching schedule confirm her status as a leading voice in the art of collage. Her "Paper Paintings" offer a fresh, vibrant, and technically brilliant perspective on how paper can be used to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us. By constantly innovating with new tools, materials, and techniques, she ensures that her work remains at the forefront of contemporary art.
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