Elizabeth Coyle

Elizabeth Coyle’s story begins on a coffee farm in Brazil, where the air was thick with the scent of coffee trees flowers in bloom through fields that stretched endlessly beneath the sun, her days filled with mischief, adventure, and discovery. The colours of her homeland—the deep greens of the forest, the rich browns of the earth, the dazzling bursts of tropical flowers—etched themselves into her imagination, laying the foundation for the artist she would one day become.

But Elizabeth’s path was not a straight one. Like many dreamers, she first chose the practical road. She moved to the city, leaving behind the vast openness of the farm to pursue a degree in dentistry. Her dedication and determination carried her through long years of study, and she eventually became a respected dental surgeon. The career was rewarding, but beneath her steady hands and professional success, a quiet yearning lingered: the pull of colour, canvas, and creativity.

She dipped her toes into the world of art during a Visual Arts course at a local university, but the demands of dentistry left little room for exploration. Still, the seed had been planted. Life carried her forward, and in 1989, with her husband Martin by her side, Elizabeth set out on a new adventure—Australia. They settled in Melbourne, a city alive with music, galleries, and the hum of cultural energy. Elizabeth felt a spark reignite within her, though it would take time before it grew into a flame.

Years later—eight years ago, to be exact—Elizabeth chose to finally follow her heart. She set aside her surgical instruments and picked up cheap brushes and paints. What began as an experiment became a joyful rediscovery. She embraced vibrant colours, layering them boldly, celebrating the rhythms of her Brazilian heritage where music, dance, and soccer infuse everyday life with energy.

Elizabeth’s art blossomed. Mischievous, whimsical characters inspired by her four-legged companions began to appear on canvas, reflecting her playful spirit. Her abstract works, filled with vivid shapes and daring colour, once again expresses her inner soul.

Her creativity wasn’t limited to paint. From childhood, Elizabeth had been drawn to making things with her hands, often inventing her own materials on the farm—mixing homemade glue and shaping papier mâché from butcher’s paper her father brought home. That resourcefulness, born from necessity, remained with her. Sculpture became another avenue of expression, an extension of the inventive spirit she had nurtured since childhood.

In recent years, Elizabeth’s journey has come full circle. No longer experimenting in solitude, she has shared her work with the world, participating in group shows and holding solo exhibitions. To showcase her art at & Gallery Australia in Sorrento has been a milestone, a moment of deep gratitude and pride. For Elizabeth, it is not only about hanging paintings on walls—it is about sharing a piece of her life, her culture, and her imagination with others.

From the sun-drenched coffee fields of Brazil to the bustling streets of Melbourne, Elizabeth’s story is one of courage, reinvention, and passion. It is the story of a woman who followed the call of colour, and in doing so, found her true self.