Artist’s Statement
My canvases are like a merry-go-round, a joy ride, or wild escape to experience. Through undulating lines, unusual color harmonies, and bold compositions, I tell the story of a surreal, sometimes psychedelic journey, reflecting life’s fleeting moments and the colorful wonder within them.
Eliza Midgett
Bio & Education
L I V I N G L I F E I N
F U L L C O L O R
Eliza Midgett’s paintings are a celebration of color, joy, and imagination, offering a surreal escape into vibrant, whimsical worlds. Specializing in acrylics on canvas, she often incorporates cut paper and mixed media to create her signature “Unconventional Colorscapes.” Her work transforms the beach environment she grew up in, blending reality with dreamlike elements and saturating each piece with bold, tropical hues.
Each painting is a playful yet introspective space, balancing the real with the impossible. Her imaginative landscapes, filled with unexpected color harmonies, abstracted shapes, and undulating lines, spark joy while exploring themes of longing and wonder—much like a merry-go-round you can’t quite get on or off.
Eliza’s creative process is as unique as her art. She flips her canvas upside down to focus on composition first, letting strong shapes and lines guide her work. Color, which she calls the “icing,” is intuitive yet studied, with Eliza having explored its psychological, emotional, and design impacts in depth.
A graduate of James Madison University with a BFA in painting and drawing, Eliza also spent time in London immersing herself in art history. After a career in graphic design and raising her two sons—now a geologist and aerospace engineer—she returned to her true passion: painting.
Today, Eliza works from her studio at The Hub in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where she paints, teaches, and engages in community outreach. She has exhibited her award-winning work in Florida, Virginia, and Hawaii, placing her work in juried shows and gaining recognition for her distinctive style. Eliza has also painted murals for local businesses, and designed two shark statues for the City of New Smyrna Beach. Eliza also collaborates with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club to bring professional artists into public schools and inspire young creators.
Through her art, Eliza paints a vibrant world of color that sparks joy and ignites the imagination. Her boundless creativity invites viewers to smile and uncover the secret stories woven into every piece.
Testimonials
“Your imagination obviously is limitless.”
“You take an already magical environment and somehow with neon colors make it even more magical. Keep making magic! The world needs more of it. “
“I simply love Eliza’s work. I have already bought bought two paintings, one from her studio, and one commissioned piece. Her style and use of color is so incedible. I say this as someone whose mother was an artist and I am also a painter and a photographer. If you wander into her studio you’ll see why Eliza is one of the most followed and sought after artists here. Once you see her work in person, you’ll understand.”
“It was incredibly fun to present the idea to you and see where you would go with it. It is, of course, everything that I hoped it would be. I keep saying how I can't get over how perfect (and gorgeous) the colors are!”
“Every day I look at your painting and it makes me smile! I love it!”
“Your art comes from the soul of a child; innocent and radiant.”
“Eliza, this was one of the most warmly gratifying “journeys” in my life. Working with you, and watching the creative wheels start turning was inspiring. I love what you have captured, and this very personal art piece, more than I can express. Thanks for letting us be a part of it!”