Born in London and raised in rural East Yorkshire from the age of five, Elizabeth Nast has developed a practice deeply rooted in the observation of her surroundings. She honed her artistic foundations in the North, earning a BA in Art and Design from York St John University, followed by an MA in Design from Leeds Beckett University. Elizabeth finds profound beauty and interest in the urban environment and the people who inhabit it. Operating on the belief that a subject need not be conventionally beautiful to be captivating, she seeks to elevate the ordinary. Whether depicting the geometry of city backstreets, the texture of a disused shop front, or a candid study of a lady sunbathing at the coast, her goal is to compel the viewer to pause. Through her work, she asks us to reconsider the small, often overlooked details of daily existence and find interest in the realities of life. Her portfolio spans Watercolour, Acrylic, and Pastel Pencil, mediums she utilises to capture the atmosphere and narrative of contemporary society. Recent Awards & Exhibitions Elizabeth’s ability to capture the essence of modern life has recently garnered significant critical acclaim: The Steele Art Prize: Awarded at the Royal West of England Academy Annual Exhibition for a work reflecting contemporary society—commenting on people, places, and the world around us.The Artist Prize (2025): At the Royal Watercolour Society Annual Open, Elizabeth was honoured with this prestigious award, resulting in a featured double-page spread in The Artist Magazine’s December issue.Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize: Elizabeth currently has two drawings touring the country as part of this renowned exhibition. Her inclusion is particularly notable given that only 87 works were selected from an entry pool of over 2,000.