Elizabeth Frank Artworks

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Q&A with the Artist

Tell us how your work is made.

My artworks begin with fallen aspen branches. I make at least one trip annually to the mountains of the southwestern United States to gather the aspen that I’ll use over the course of the year. Each of my visits to the forest is like a pilgrimage. After the aspen is collected it’s dried in a room on my studio roof. Once dry I cut and shape the rough branches with a band saw. The pieces are carved in small components that are joined together with pegs and nails. The surface is painted with acrylic, metal leaf and wax. I combine my carved constructions with found objects often developing a series of pieces around a specific found item that enriches the narrative in each object.

What makes you passionate about the medium you work with?

Some of my happiest moments are spent wandering in the woods collecting the aspen that I use for my carvings. I bring the wonder and joy that I feel in the forest to every piece that I make.

What is something unique about you or your practice?

I carve each individual piece in component parts. I really enjoy the time in my process when all the individual parts are carved out and sanded. I spread them out on my work table and organize each separate artwork with its many parts. Then I play this magical game of putting all the pieces together with wires, pegs, nails and glue. That part of my process is invisible once the pieces are assembled and painted.