The First Cut is the Deepest

The story of Anne Boleyn and the circumstances of her marriage and execution by beheading seem almost impossible to imagine. I have done a contemporary take on the portraits of royals that were painted in a certain style. I have added the words "The First Cut is the Deepest" which are raised from the boards surface so that you can catch the letters at different viewing angles.
History provides an endless source of inspiration for some of my artworks.

This work is not framed but is painted around the edges in black so it is able to be hung as is.
Photo taken before varnish and UV protection is applied to avoid glare.

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A visual story teller at heart, Elise creates art about women and place. Drawing inspiration from history and her surroundings the work explores nostalgia, identity and our connection to the land. Her portraits often give a voice to women whose stories were never told, revealing inner strength, beauty and quiet resilience.

A graduate from The University of Melbourne and a finalist in several art prizes, Elise blends traditional techniques with a contemporary sensibility. As she explains,
“I often like to incorporate sewing, stitching, lace and lettering in my work. Women have always helped shape the world - not always through grand gestures, but often through quiet and unseen work.”

Dividing her time between her city studio and country workspace built from repurposed materials on the site of an old cowshed, Elise’s practice is grounded in reflection, renewal and the stories that connect us all.