Elizabeth Wonnacott:
The Sentimental Cycle

at the Inn at Lynden

October 10 – January 11, 2025
Opening reception: Thursday, October 10 from 6–8pm

I was inspired to explore the nostalgia and emotional connection that many of us have with bicycles and tricycles. The Inn at Lynden’s identification with recreational bicycles and their well-designed art space made this the perfect opportunity for me to embark upon this visual endeavor.

To many of us, childhood meant that first tricycle or bike. We have strong sentimental feelings about this modern two-wheeled engineering feat. Our bike was our reliable best friend, giving us our first sense of autonomy. Bikes gave us a taste of freedom with the wind in our faces and a little adrenaline. Do you remember furiously peddling and flying down a dirt road all by yourself? Didn’t it feel dangerous, and wasn’t that delicious?

“When I ride my bike now, I still remember that sensation of total freedom and speed I experienced on my first bike. That began my lifelong love of bicycles,” a friend recently shared with me.

My paintings portray bicycles as objects of art with a visual narrative. I created stories in my mind where bicycles seemed lonely, waiting for their owner to return and resume the adventure. Or cycles are akin loyal patient ponies hitched in the warm sunlight or simply a convenient place for a cat to perch and cast a beautiful shadow.

Artist Bio

I began as a complete novice to oil painting when I retired from a career in media and technical marketing. I studied briefly at the Art Student League of Denver and was influenced by many incredible Colorado and national artists. I am a devoted lifelong learner focused primarily on representational painting. I often paint and find a great deal of inspiration from 19th and 20th century European and American oil painters for their brilliant use of composition, technique and palette. My paintings are often characterized by color harmony and clarity that I achieve through using a very basic color palette and disciplined brushwork. I have no favorite subject matter and try to keep an open mind. Everything looks like a potential painting to me, which can be a blessing or a hindrance.

I relocated to Bellingham in 2015 and paint in my home studio. The discipline to be a consistent painter is challenging, but the rewards are great in both artistic progress and personal accomplishment. I love sharing my love for art with people and encouraging others to pick up a drawing pencil or paint brush. I appreciate the opportunity to exhibit at The Jansen Art Center and volunteering with this remarkable community resource.

For more information email [email protected] or visit www.elizabethwonnacott.com