My Background
I received a BFA from California College of the Arts and a MA from John F. Kennedy University. I also studied printmaking at Kala Institute in Berkeley, California and Santa Reparta Graphics Center in Florence, Italy. I've taught drawing and printmaking at the Sierra Nevada and Truckee Meadows community colleges. I live in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, surrounded by the beauty of the Sierra landscape. Art making is my passion; it empowers and vitalizes my life. The creative process is what brings me into the studio day after day.
My Medium
Currently I'm using pen and ink to transform my vision onto paper, there is something about the immediacy of pen and ink that's attractive to me. Although using pen and ink is a simple process it takes years to develop the skills to render a quality drawing. I use a variety of pens including Kon-I-Noor rapidograph pens , Micron, LePen, and Faber Castell Pitt Pens.
My Inspiration
I'm inspired by the Sierra Landscape that surrounds me. I've hiked, kayaked and cross country skied throughout the Sierra's. One of my favorite things to do is to sit and sketch in the quiet of nature. Every piece I create begins with a walk in the forest.
- ABOUT LIZ PAGANELLI
- I am a Lake Tahoe–based artist working in watercolor and ink, inspired by the quiet beauty of the natural world.
- My work begins with daily walks—observing shifting, seasonal changes, and the subtle details that often go unnoticed. These moments become the foundation for my paintings, which are less about documenting a place and more about capturing the feeling of being within it.
- I work primarily on Japanese papers, layering watercolor and ink to create pieces that feel both delicate and grounded. I often incorporate found elements and textures, allowing each piece to evolve slowly and intuitively.
- Much of my work reflects the landscapes of Lake Tahoe through the seasons—winter stillness, early spring thaw, and the soft transitions of light throughout the day.
- I have been fortunate to show my work in galleries, including in Truckee, California, and to share it with collectors who are drawn to its quiet, contemplative nature.
- After many years of painting, I continue to be inspired by the same simple experience: walking, observing, and translating those moments into something lasting.
- This work is deeply personal to me, and I hope it offers a sense of calm, reflection, and connection.