The Audacity to Try Elizabeth Gray’s Colorful Path to Creative Joy
Photos By: Ashlee Glen
Elizabeth Gray never set out to be an artist. In fact, her first creative pursuit was edible—wedding cakes, to be exact. “I was living in a small apartment while attending culinary school and found myself saying ‘yes!’ to make wedding cakes for friends,” she recalled. “It made sense—I’d always loved creating with food, especially sweets, plus I was achieving a personal goal to work for myself.”
But then, according to Gray, things just snowballed into more than she could handle for her small, in-home operation. With no space for expanding her business and health concerns mounting, Gray knew she had to pivot.
What she found was a new medium, one that began as a therapeutic outlet: hand lettering.
“What started as a hobby for stress relief has turned into so much more,” she said. “All creative things are connected in a way.”
Today, Gray is a self-taught lettering artist, illustrator, and muralist whose work blends crisp lines, vibrant colors, and a whimsical spirit that refuses to be boxed in. From black-and-white compositions to playful gel nail designs and large-scale public art, she’s continuously evolving. Her style?
“Crisp, colorful, and adventurous,” she said. “When I feel stuck, I shift.”
Gray’s creative journey hasn’t been without hurdles—chief among them, the internal doubt of not having a formal art education. “I’ve often felt less than because I didn’t go to art school,” she admitted. “But I also don’t think, had I done that, I could have specialized in lettering in the same way I have now.” Instead, she’s built her skillset through experimentation, books, online classes, and a healthy dose of “delusional confidence.”
That openness to learning, she says, allows her to trust her instincts and follow ideas—even when they seem strange. “Food keeps showing up in my work—it feels personal, and right, and it’s something I have a deep connection with.”
Virginia’s natural beauty also plays a role in her artistic perspective. Whether she’s painting state birds and blooms in a mural or simply noticing how the sunlight hits her kitchen floor, Gray finds meaning in the ordinary. “Didn’t someone call it ‘the art of noticing?’” she said. “There are SO many mediums and so many ways to express yourself—but no matter what you make, it will always be your style.”
She’s brought that personal style to partnerships with brands like OPI, Sharpie, and TikTok, always on her own terms. “They hired me for me,” Gray said. “Instead of feeling pressure to reinvent myself…I remind myself that I don’t have anything to prove.” The key, she believes, is blending strategy with authenticity.
Her murals—bold and community-minded—have taught her to problem-solve in ways that go far beyond color palettes and typefaces. “Public art always has specific goals…. Murals can make or break the vibe of a space,” she explained. “I’ve painted through intense heat, freezing temps, and utter exhaustion… but the feeling of completing a huge project like that is nothing short of euphoric.”
Equally impactful is her coloring book, a passion project born out of a desire to offer others a no-pressure space to create. “Sometimes, you don’t want to have to have the idea but you still feel the urge to create,” she said.
“I hope it encourages people to take time for themselves.”
Gray’s candor extends to her online presence, where she’s cultivated a community of fans and fellow creatives. She attributes that growth to one thing: showing up as herself. “If you’re not enjoying what you’re making, odds are, others won’t either,” she said. “Lean into what you like.”
Whether she’s filming a voiceover with wired headphones or sketching mural ideas on her apartment walls, Gray isn’t waiting around for permission. “If I had waited until I felt ready to share my work, I’d probably still be waiting,” she said. “Choose yourself… and just try something.”
That spirit—bold, introspective, and joyfully curious—is the thread running through all of Gray’s work. “Create, fail, learn, repeat,” she said. “Oh, and don’t read all the comments.”
