Abby Elise Oravec "Lush"

Abby Elise Oravec "Lush" 2026

Painting, Acrylic on cotton canvas and ornate frame
Dimensions: 25.5 × 33.5 inches, framed 25.5 × 33.5 inches                          
Unique
Signed on verso by artist

Abby Elise is an acrylic painter from Columbus, Ohio, now based in Provence, France. Her work draws from impressionism, capturing what she describes as “the small interruptions that make us feel something we can’t quite name.” Working primarily with florals and nature-inspired forms, she explores the emotional weight they carry—moments where beauty and impermanence exist side by side.

Painting intuitively with layered, fluid acrylics, Abby Elise preserves the immediacy of experience through softened edges, shifting color, and movement. Music and the changing seasons play a central role in her process, shaping both the pace and emotional tone of each piece.

In 2025, after participating in an artist residency at La Maison de Beaumont in Provence, she made the decision to relocate to the south of France to expand her practice and immerse herself in the light and landscape that continue to influence her work. This transition marked a deeper return to the environments that inspire her visual language.

Her work has been presented in multiple solo exhibitions in Columbus, Ohio, as well as group exhibitions across the United States, and has been featured in publications in both the U.S. and France. Alongside her studio practice, she engages with communities through live painting at events and weddings throughout France and beyond.

Artist Statement:

"Lush was inspired by the elegance and elevated atmosphere of a South of France wedding in the heart of Aix-en-Provence. The piece was created during a live painting session for a boutique photoshoot, where florals played a central role in shaping the tone, movement, and energy of the day.

In this work, the canvas and a baroque-style frame are intentionally integrated, echoing the architectural details of the château itself. The frame was chosen to mirror the historic structure of the venue, grounding the piece in a sense of timelessness, while the painted surface introduces a more contemporary, expressive counterpoint. Together, they create a dialogue between tradition and modernity.

The canvas and frame dissolve into one another, with florals extending beyond their boundaries and spilling outward in all directions. This lack of containment reflects the immersive nature of the experience that inspired it—where beauty is not fixed, but unfolding.

The piece is meant to hold contrast: bold yet soft, colorful yet refined, energetic yet romantic. It reflects the layered emotions of an evening at a château in the south of France, where elegance and liveliness coexist in the same moment." - Abby Elise Oravec

Read more about her artwork and exhibitions on our website.