Artwork copyright Liza vonRosenstiel. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Cow/Lizard, 1993

Liza vonRosenstiel
(American, born 1954)

Location: Vaughn Elementary, Vaughn

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Cow/Lizard is part of artist Liza vonRosenstiel’s series of paintings titled “Ranch Work.” The series began while the artist taught at Deep Springs College, located in the high desert of California. Deep Springs functions as both a college and a cattle ranch. The series utilizes found objects, painted with animal icons. She notes that this piece was inspired by “looking at Mexican metal work, collecting a back and seat of a chair from the dump and gazing eye to eye with a cow and nose to nose with a lizard.”

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Peninsula School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Longtime Washington artist and teacher Liza vonRosenstiel draws imagery and inspiration from animals and the natural world. Her paintings inspire the viewer to imagine their own stories. Her art is also inspired by the news, Indian miniatures, and early Italian painting.

Liza vonRosenstiel earned a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 1978. She previously taught at Deep Springs College, an undergraduate institution and working cattle ranch in the desert of California. She now makes her home in Arizona.