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.”

Title: Ceramic Artist | Age: 57

Kim, we hear you are very new to town. What brought you to Lynchburg?
I have been coming to Lynchburg to visit my aunt and cousin since 2008, when we had a big family reunion. While on a trip here in 2015, I went to see the pottery studio at the Academy and was very impressed. Ted Batt offered me a workshop in 2016, and I loved working here, so I did a second workshop in May 2017.

That’s when I made the decision to move here. Back in California, life was becoming stagnant for me and I needed a CHANGE.

What do you think of the area so far?
Beautiful! I think the downtown area will be exploding with art. The hiking trails are wonderful. As a life-long Californian, I’m looking forward to seeing what winter brings in Virginia.

When did you first develop an interest in art?
My parents enrolled me in all kinds of art classes very early.

I remember a place in Hollywood called Barnsdall Art Park. I must have been 5 years old when I started there. It was a tad crazy… we melted Styrofoam for art. There were other classes such as dance, ceramics, basket weaving, cake decorating, painting and photography. They also dragged me to art museums and gardens every weekend, which ended up having a positive impact on me.

But despite having talent, you didn’t feel like you could make a career out of it?

Art was something I really didn’t think I was any good at, but I was. For some reason, I listened to the wrong people and did not pursue my art until later in life. I was raising two kids and running two businesses with my ex-husband. In 1996 I took a class and got back to creating with clay.

Once you “got your hands dirty” again, where did your art career take you next?
I started doing art shows and street fairs and was very well received. I developed a following of collectors throughout southern California. At one point, my husband recommended that I learn how to market my art. This led me to Learning Tree University in Chatsworth, California. After taking their marketing class, they offered me a teaching position—something I had never imagined doing. I found I was good at teaching and loved it. Then I worked in Simi Valley Unified School District which paid for my teacher’s credentials. I was there for 10 years. Throughout the years I have taught workshops in raku, pit firing, wheel throwing as well as figurative sculpture.

You even ended up in Europe, right?
Oui, oui! I was accepted to participate in an arts residency in Vallauris, France in July 2012. I was required to make a body of work with four other international artists. In the six weeks I was there, I also visited museums and galleries in southern France. I found it delicious to be working in the village where Picasso had worked in ceramics.

How would you describe your artistic style?
Very whimsical. Some have said “Alice in Wonderland meets Tim Burton and explodes into Cirque du Soleil.” However, I think I have many styles that have evolved throughout my career.

What inspires you to create your unique ceramic pieces?
That’s a question I can’t answer. They just pop into my head.

What types of mediums do you work with other than ceramics?
I do mosaics with glass and found objects. When one of my ceramic pieces breaks, it ends up in a mosaic.

What’s your number one goal to achieve in your art career in the coming years?
To follow my muse. And hopefully inspire others and earn my keep while doing so.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?
Make what you love and make it your own.

How can readers get in touch with you?
(805) 320-6793 • www.ceramicsbykim.com
ceramicsbykim@gmail.com