1. ATHOMEWITH
ELIZABETH
ROMHILDWell-known artist and Bangkok resident Elizabeth Romhild’s charismatic
and joyful personality can be found in her work, which focuses on the
female form, love, playfulness, vibrancy, and inner beauty. In this interview
with Elizabeth, learn about her journey as an artist and check out her
new line of porcelain featuring her signature, sensual artwork.
by Shannon Frandsen
When did you discover that you are
or should become an artist?
As a child, I always knew that I was
best at art, but I didn’t have the
confidence in me then. I used to
sketch only.
I consider myself self-taught. I was
reading some technical books
during my oil period, but those
were more about the spirit of art. I
read books to find my emotions in
the art; but I didn’t want to do what
someone else has done. I had to
find my language. As an artist, you
want to create something new.
When we moved to Indonesia
in 1985, the smells, the light, the
surroundings were all so inspiring.
And the art scene is much stronger
there. I first started meeting in some
art groups, and we would just put
things in front of us and do critiques.
I met an American lady who would
teach her American-style wash
watercolor techniques, and, one day,
I went my own way with watercolor.
I used dry brush, sprinkling salt, a
sponge and different techniques
to create an effect inspired by my
fascination with the slums — the
mildew, rust, and textures.
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PHOTO:KeithTheerakulchai

2. A signature
brushstroke is a
gesture. It’s a feeling…
— Elizabeth Romhild
Lifestyle
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3. Your artwork is easily recognizable,
and is even copied here inThailand.
What do you think is essential for an
artist to create a signature look?
As an artist, you might have something
in your head, but when you take
your brush and try, I tell you, it will be
something else.The only way to mature
your style is by practicing, and not
many people have that stamina. Many
give up. It’s a lonely job.
Now, when someone seems my art, they
can see“that’s an Elizabeth Romhild,”but
this recognition took years.You need to
practice, practice, practice. A signature
brushstroke is a gesture. It’s a feeling, like
how you write your signature.
Unfortunately, there are many copycat
artists.There’s no problem with being
inspired by other people, but don’t do
exactly what they’ve done.There’s no
passion in copying, though.You must
find your own signature.
How has your support from your
spouse been like?
My husband, Peter, has always been
a great support. He’s been there to
support me and help me to continue.
And he knows that if wants a happy
wife, then he must let her paint,
because that’s when I’m the happiest.
Where do you derive your
inspiration?
Inspiration comes from somewhere.
It won’t just come from your head.
While I prefer to be in the studio, I can’t
always be in the studio. Going out and
socializing gives me more inspiration.
It could be maybe the chairs, or the
way people would do things, or a
dress color, or maybe something that
someone says — any of these things
might inspire me.
How would you describe the
process you went through as you
were discovering your style?
To paint is like a meditation.When you
reach a higher level when meditating,
you don’t want distractions, and that’s
also why when my kids were smaller, my
art was a kind that could be interrupted.
I could pick it up and continue again.
And then, after the kids left, it was work
during which I could not be disturbed.
I have gone through circles, trying
different styles, but I have found that I
have a particular style that no one else is
doing and I shouldn’t try to experiment
anymore. It’s about self-discovery, and it
was good to try different ways. But I’ve
found my style that is so much mine,
there’s no need to experiment.
How did motherhood impact
your art?
Having children changed my way
of expressing art.The year before I
became pregnant, the woman’s figure
was a great focus. I painted nudes; they
had a landscape feeling. Undulating.
When you have children, there’s love,
worry, anxiety. It really affects a person.
You’ll see a breast in my art many
times — the breast represents love,
comfort, and caring.
How did you end up releasing a
line of porcelain?
Lifestyle
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4. CONTACT
To find out more about
Elizabeth Romhild’s
porcelain collections
please see:
Elizabeth Romhild
Design Pte. Ltd.
Singapore
Mobile:
+66 (0) 81 818 0784
Email: elizabeth@
elizabethromhilddesign.
com
Distributor Thailand
Designers Field Co. Ltd
Panjit Tower, 117 5th
Floor
Sukhumvit 55,
10110 Bangkok
P. +66 (0) 27 126 800
F. +66 (0) 27 126 801
I love drawing. I am not an abstract
painter. I was sitting and drawing
one day, when I thought about
how the drawings might look on
plates. I met someone from Royal
Copenhagen and he said, “Elizabeth,
this is something you need to
do.” And so I did tie up with Petra,
the leading porcelain company
in Thailand. We are hoping to go
international with it.
ECCENTRIC DINING
Elizabeth currently has three por-
celain collections of plates, mugs,
and saucers: The Impromptu
Collection; La Boheme Collection;
and the Piano Collection. All three
are lively with emotional energies,
but Wanderlust loves the bold col-
ors and gold accents of La Boheme
Collection’s show plate. The full set
of this collection is $1,399.00.
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