Elizabeth Milsom was born on King Island where she spent her first five years on a Soldier Settlement sheep farm before moving with the family to Melbourne.

As she grew up she developed a love for making things, which led on to studying a degree in Printmaking at the Victorian College of the Arts. In 1987 she was awarded a project grant from The Visual Arts Board, Australia Council to produce a hand printed book of etchings titled ‘Maiknoen’. One book in the edition of ten is held in the collection of The Balllieu Library, University of Melbourne.

Elizabeth changed her medium and developed a transfer printing method using a hot iron, synthetic transfer paint and the actual plant to print on to canvas. During the printing process some of the plants natural colour came through on to the canvas, creating an interest in the wondrous glow of natural colour. Inspired by nature, plants form the catalyst of her most recent mark making. Ink is made from eucalyptus leaves and applied to silk using a wide range of methods; such as painting with a Chinese brush, steaming, dip dye (Shibori) and ice dyeing.

Elizabeth has worked over 30 years as a practising artist exhibiting in solo and group shows around Australia and internationally. She also teaches art in the community, facilitating classes in centres around The City of Port Phillip.

 
Elizabeth Milsom in her South Melbourne studio - Photograph by Susan Windmiller

Elizabeth Milsom in her South Melbourne studio - Photograph by Susan Windmiller