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Liz Foulks is a contemporary figurative painter based in New York City. Her work focuses on exploring the balance between darkness and light, often blending realism with abstraction. Through her paintings, she aims to uncover moments of elegance and softness, even in unexpected places.

Her latest series explores the nuances of the human form and the unique reflections that occur when pairing anatomy with abstract moments. Each piece invites viewers to linger on both structure and ambiguity, offering space to reflect on themes of identity, transformation, and the tension between presence and absence.

Now, let’s dive deeper into Liz’s artistic journey and inspirations.

How do you balance technical skill and emotional expression in your art?

I try to balance technical skill and emotional expression by focusing on elements like contrast and texture. I pay close attention to the play between shadows and highlights, which creates depth and intensity in the work. I also like to incorporate rippled, fabric-like textures within the body, giving it a sense of movement and life. Emotionally, I allow the form and the flow of the lines to guide the mood, letting the technical aspects support the feelings I want to convey without overshadowing them. It's about finding a harmony between precision and raw emotion.

Do you find inspiration in other disciplines, such as music, literature or film?

I draw a great deal of inspiration from music, especially as a flutist. Lately, I’ve been exploring how the tone colors I produce on the flute can parallel the emotional tones in my visual work. For example, I’ve been studying the contrast between yellow and purple tones. Yellow tones are light and airy, evoking brightness, while purple tones are richer and darker, creating a more introspective mood. These shifts are achieved by varying vibrato wavelengths, adjusting the shape of the lips, and controlling the airstream - all subtle changes that dramatically affect the sound. This has a direct connection to my visual work - both mediums, visual art and music, share a capacity to convey emotion through tone, texture, and depth.

A piece that I've been working on recently and captures this exploration for me is Syrinx by Claude Debussy. It's a haunting, emotional piece that feels very aligned with the narratives I explore in my art. The sense of darkness in the music mirrors the mood I try to evoke in my work, and the way the flute’s tone color has the ability to shift and change throughout the piece is much like the evolving narratives in my paintings.

Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?

I’m looking forward to my solo show at Awita New York this spring. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since my last one. This show, titled Fleeting Ties, will feature my newest work along with pieces from Corporeal Landscape II. The previous show was all acrylic, but this new series is in oil paint, which has given me the chance to explore some new techniques and textures. It’s exciting to share how my work has evolved, and I’m curious to see how the two series fit together in the space. Fleeting Ties explores how connections shift over time, both physically and emotionally. It feels like a natural next step in my ongoing exploration of the human form and abstraction.

What does success look like for you as an artist?

For me, success as an artist is about being able to continue growing, experimenting, and challenging myself with each new piece. It’s about staying true to my own voice while remaining open to new ideas and influences. Success is when I feel like I’ve captured something meaningful, whether it’s a moment, an emotion, or an idea, and have been able to express it in a way that feels authentic. It’s also about connection. When someone looks at my work and feels something - whether it’s a sense of familiarity, understanding, or even discomfort - that’s when I feel like I’ve succeeded. Being able to share my art and have it resonate with others is a huge part of what keeps me motivated.

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