Elizabeth Sheats

Elizabeth Sheats is a Wilmington, North Carolina–based artist known for her vibrant, light-filled paintings inspired by the coastal South. A longtime friend of fellow artist Jeanne O’Neal, Elizabeth spends as much time as she can in Pawleys Island—soaking up the Lowcountry light, sketching under the oaks, and gathering inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds her.

She holds a BFA in Studio Art from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MFA in Interior Design from George Washington University, with additional studies in Florence, Paris, and at renowned craft schools across the U.S. Her background in interiors informs her art, resulting in work that’s both expressive and well-composed—often described as a perfect blend of color, pattern, and place.

Elizabeth’s beloved tree tunnel series began just before Hurricane Florence in 2018 and has grown into a powerful body of work symbolizing resilience, faith, and the quiet beauty of strength after the storm. She works in watercolor, gouache, and mixed media, often layering unexpected materials to create depth and luminosity.

Elizabeth is a co-founder of the Wilmington Art Collective and a member of the Wilmington Art Association. Her work is shown in shops and galleries across the Carolinas, including here in Pawleys—where she feels right at home beneath the moss-draped branches and ever-changing skies.