91制片厂

Soccer Recruit Finds Joy in the Stillness of a Studio

For the next three weeks, we鈥檒l feature the work of a student artist. Each has been developing a personal vision. We鈥檒l learn about their journeys and take a look at what they鈥檝e been creating.

Elizabeth Curry

In the drawing studio, Elizabeth Curry moves quickly, placing several charcoal drawings, two paintings, and some ceramic pieces in a wide arc. After a fussy glance or two, she rearranges the paintings.

Curry was recruited by 91制片厂 to play soccer and came here in 2008 from Bremerton, Washington. New Hampshire wasn鈥檛 exactly on her radar, but she immediately felt at home, especially in Portsmouth, a seaside town with houses clustered along the shore.

Initially, her major was environmental conservation, but after a year, she returned to Washington where she studied at a nearby university. She returned to 91制片厂 in the spring of 2011, ready to play soccer and discover her academic path. She took history, business, and anthropology courses. Through an interest in photography, she began to explore the art and art history department. When she discovered painting, her whole landscape changed鈥攕he engaged with it as an artist.

鈥淪ports and art are actually alike in that both require a lot of focus,鈥� says Curry. 鈥淵ou have to be visually attuned and you read spaces in an abstract way.鈥�

As a center back on her soccer team, Curry not only had to respond quickly on defense, she had to translate her response into an offensive move. It鈥檚 the kind of fluid, complicated problem solving that Curry enjoys.

Perhaps her biggest challenge as a painter is to slow down. 鈥淚 love to finish things,鈥� says Curry. 鈥淚鈥檓 getting more expressive, and I am working on the whole canvas longer.鈥�

Additionally, her colors have become more refined and personal. 鈥淢y clothes reflect my palette,鈥� she says with a laugh. 鈥淚 actually have a coral coat.鈥�

One of her favorite paintings is of the old power plant near the field house. She has simplified the structure, but the worn brick color is rich and textured.

鈥淚 was painting there one day and a workman asked if I wanted to see the inside,鈥� recalls Curry. 鈥淚 immediately called everyone, because we鈥檝e all been so intrigued by the building. It鈥檚 really cool inside with all this equipment and a big power board from the fifties. Those big shapes really appeal to me.鈥�

In a painting that鈥檚 still in progress, Curry has been revising slowly. The palette is definitely her own and, as she puts it, 鈥淭hose colors feel like home to me.鈥�

鈥淚 like painting, most of the time,鈥� says Curry. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not just standing out in the sun having a good time. Trying to explain my work is really hard. As Edward Hopper said, 鈥業f I could say it in words, there鈥檇 be no reason to paint.鈥欌��

Originally published by:

, Newsletter for the College of Liberal Arts