Elizabeth Washburn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I am always chasing time, and if I stopped, probably nothing would change beyond my being less stressed about not having enough time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Elizabeth Washburn, and I’ve called San Diego home for the past 25 years. Time really flies! As an artist, my work is deeply inspired by nature, light, and color. I often draw on personal memories and emotional landscapes, blending them with new techniques to create paintings that aim to evoke calm, reflection, and beauty.
Over ten years ago, I founded Combat Arts San Diego, a nonprofit that offers therapeutic art programs to U.S. military veterans and incarcerated youth.
Alongside my nonprofit and teaching work, I maintain a steady studio practice. I show in galleries (including Cobalt Gallery in South Park) and recently launched an Etsy store where I sell prints of my original paintings:
Etsy.com/shop/WashburnArtPrints
Art continues to ground and inspire me—it’s the thread that’s carried me through every phase of life, and I don’t plan to stop creating anytime soon.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
Definitely my parents. Growing up, it never even occurred to me to ask them for money. My brother and I had chores, got an allowance, and that was it—if we wanted something extra, we had to figure it out. I remember saving up and paying for half of my first ten-speed bike in 4th grade, which felt like a huge deal. By the time I was 15, I was ready for a real job and talked my way into waitressing at Winstead’s, this classic diner in Kansas City. Technically, you had to be 16 to work there, but I filled out the application anyway. When they checked my driver’s license, I guess they just didn’t do the math!
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The biggest wound in my life was losing my mom when I was 27—she was only 58. We were incredibly close, and I loved her more than anything. I don’t know that I’d say I’ve fully healed; it’s more that the pain has softened over time. It doesn’t hit me as sharply as it once did, but I still miss her with every fiber of my being.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public me is the real me, for better or worse.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I really like this question. If I only had 10 years left, I’d stop stressing so much over the endless checklists I make for myself. As an artist, I’m always hustling, always trying to stay one step ahead in case one of the pots on the stove goes dry. But with a timeline like that, I think I’d let go of some of that pressure and focus more on creating and living in the moment. I should probably do that anyway!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WashburnFineArt.com
- Instagram: @WashburnFineArt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-washburn-2b4680a
- Facebook: WashburnFineArt
- Other: https://Etsy.com/Shop/WashburnArtPrints
