“Sometimes painting can be just work,” explains artist Liz Hoag with honesty.

To many, the life of an artist appears charmed—full of color and imagination. But those who create beauty also navigate the same emotional terrain as the rest of us. Whether you’re in politics, hospitality, or business, we all encounter “the hard.” For artists, that struggle often lives quietly behind the canvas.

“One thing that struck me this winter is how unpredictable the process can be,” Hoag shares. “Sometimes I expect a painting to soar, and it lands flat. Other times, I go in without expectations and find myself completely surprised by something meaningful and beautiful.”

This understanding is part of her strength—and her process.

“There are days when I just don’t feel like painting. I want to walk out of the studio—and sometimes I do,” she admits. “But then there are days I stay. I push through. And something shifts. The act of painting grounds me."

House on the Cliff 30x40 $3800

Behind every finished painting is a quiet one that is deeply woven into the work itself.

“In those moments, when something clicks, I realize I’ve created something that might lift someone else up. That’s a powerful thing,” says Hoag. “Not every day is inspired, but when it is, I feel it.”

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Liz Hoag’s work reminds us that beauty doesn't mean easy—it emerges from persistence, reflection, and work. 

“We all have days we’d rather skip. But I love my job,” she smiles. “I’m grateful that even when it’s tough, the process brings me back to calm, back to peace. And then I get to share that with others. That part? That part is amazing.”

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