Elvic Steele was a British artist who used the natural world around her as inspiration for her works. This vintage artwork, on heavy paper, is an abstract mixed media watercolor. I purchased this piece from a British art dealer who bought it directly from the artist’s estate. See estate stamp to verso.

Steele found great inspiration in her garden, and the garden of one of her mentors, Cedric Morris. Steele employed ink, watercolors, and collage to create her works. She cut-out pieces from other paintings she made to create multi-dimensional works of art. Steele was wonderfully experimental; Her use of color is outstanding—confident, vibrant and bold.

This artwork comes unframed. It measures approximately 12 x 18”.

The artwork is in excellent condition. Nothing to note.

BIO:

Elvic grew up in the countryside and developed a

passion for nature that lasted all her life. She

became an experienced biologist and botanist as

well as a keen gardener. Her interpretation of

plants in her art, the attention to detail reveals the

depth of her knowledge of nature.

In 1946 was awarded a sabbatical to attend the

East Anglian School of Painting and Drawing at

Benton End in Suffolk, run by Sir Cedric Morris. It

was in Morris' delightful garden at Benton End

that she found a great deal of her inspiration and

continued studying and painting there until the

1970's. Her work was shown regularly at the

Colchester Art Society Exhibitions and she had a

solo show in 1960. In 1963 she took up Evening

Classes at the Dunmow Art Group in Essex. Held

two solo exhibitions at the Royal Spa Centre

whilst living in Leamington and also showed her

work at the Leamington Museum.

ELVIC STEELE

1920 - 1997

Abstract Flowers

Watercolour/Ink/Collage

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