Liza Von Rosenstiel Born 1954, Philadelphia, PA Graduated BFA, 1978, Rhode Island School of Design
Prior to attending RISD, Von Rosenstiel attended the University of New Hampshire with a focus in ceramics. While there she studied writing with the poet Steven Dobbins. At the Rhode Island School of Design, Von Rosenstiel knew the photograqher Francesca Woodman and appears in several of Woodman's photos from that time.
In 1979, after attending the European Honors Program in Rome, Von Rosenstiel moved to Seattle Washington with her parter, James Mcquire. There she began a long and prolific career as a painter. Her work, which mixes suggestive abstract forms with figurative images, is highly personal and remi niscent of other West Coast painters such as Joan Brown. In terms of it's use of pattern and color, her work also has strong references to certain strains of folk art. In the early 90's she expanded her vocabulary with sculptural elements through the use of fabric and clothing. In these works,she would apply polyurathane to harden the clothing (such as two-piece suits) and paint directly on the material.
As an arts educator, Von Rosensteilhas directed a number of youth-mural projects throughout Seattle.
In 2007, she moved with her husband Phillip Perl to Flagstaff Arizona, where she currently makes sculpture and raises money for educational initiatives in developing countries,