I grew up in the Midwest and enjoyed expressing myself through a variety of fine arts throughout my school years – in
addition to the visual arts; I am a pianist, thespian, and vocalist. Approaching my university years, I chose to find a
more “practical” outlet for my creative energies and enrolled in a drafting course my senior year of high school. I
excelled, winning a regional drafting competition that encouraged me to pursue an engineering career. As a woman in
the late 1970’s, this was an unusual and challenging career choice.
I graduated with honors from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Technology degree with an emphasis in
mechanical design and drafting. Following graduation, I moved to Tucson, Arizona to work as a manufacturing
engineer for a major defense contractor. After marrying my husband of now 20 years, I traded engineering for being a
stay-at-home mom to my two wonderful sons. Once my sons were both in school I re-entered the engineering
workforce part-time.
During this time I was increasingly reminded of a childhood memory ~ a magazine feature called “What Is It?” which
showed a photograph of something common, but magnified in such a way as to make it almost abstract. The mystery
object was revealed later in the publication with a photograph showing the complete subject and I eagerly looked
forward to each issue.
Perhaps one reason I was so attracted to this feature was because I have struggled my whole life with poor eyesight. I
am extremely near-sighted and up until recently considered it to be a curse. To see something clearly without the aid of
glasses or contacts, I need to hold it very closely to my eyes. Now I realize that this condition has prepared me examine
the world from a magnified perspective.
One day after a quiet time of reflection reading the scripture Romans 1:20, which describes how God reveals Himself to
us through what He has created, I was led to create “What is it?” series of my own, painting unique perspectives of the
natural beauty that lives and grows all around us. In May of 2005, with the support of my family, I left my corporate job
to pursue the desire of my heart.
Since I do not have a Fine Arts degree and am primarily self-taught, most people thought it was ridiculous of me to
leave what they believed was the “perfect” job….many considered I was entering a “mid-life crisis”. But instead of a
mid-life crisis, my new career has become a mid-life “re-birth”.
I choose to work with acrylic paints because of their brilliant color, rapid drying characteristic and, since I paint in my
home studio, the non-toxic work environment they provide my family and me.
When not painting, I am always looking for inspiration and new subject matter for my work, sketchbook and camera in
hand. I search for the detail of creation that is often overlooked and overshadowed by the whole.
I hope that my paintings will encourage people to stop, be still, and look with renewed appreciation at the miracles that
surround them.
Elizabeth von Isser
Looking more deeply into creation…
P.O Box 69486, Oro Valley, Arizona 85737
(520) 877-9282
www.intocreation.com
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