The Art of Subtlety: Our Neutrals-Inspired Show

A fresh beginning in our new home — Welcome revisits our very first 2019 show, reimagined through soft neutrals, gentle pastels, and countryside charm. A peek into what to expect in our Welcome show inspired by neutrals.

Meghan Bustard:

Vancouver-based mixed-media painter Meghan Bustard has always been surrounded by creativity. “My mum is a very creative person who paints and draws quite a bit herself,” she says. “Because of this, art has played an important role in my life for as long as I can remember.” It’s fitting, then, that Meghan’s own work now captures the same sense of wonder, exploration, and connection that first drew her in as a child. Born and raised on Canada’s west coast, Meghan received her BFA in Visual Arts in 2011, and for years painted out of her studio and showroom in Vancouver’s historic Gastown. More recently, she’s found herself in a new rhythm — working from a bright, quaint studio in Spain. Across continents, her work remains deeply rooted in the tactile discovery of her surroundings. Whether walking through her neighborhood, hiking with her family, or simply sitting in her living room full of friends, Meghan’s creative process is shaped by the spaces she inhabits and the emotions they evoke.

“Nature is my biggest inspiration, I’m very interested in the way being in a certain spot can make us feel. In some sense, my work is always asking the question, ‘How does being here feel?’” That inquiry into place unfolds through layers of color, shape, and line. Though she loves to experiment with new materials and palettes, there’s a recognizable rhythm in her pieces — soft transparencies overlapping in ways that feel both structured and spontaneous. Her paintings often play with balance: the tension between clarity and blur, between stillness and motion. It’s a conversation between intention and intuition.

For Meghan, home is both muse and sanctuary: warmth, beauty, serenity, and a place to be fully herself. Whether hiking in the mountains with her family, brunching at a neighborhood café, or simply enjoying her living room full of friends, she continues to find inspiration in the simple, grounding beauty of being present—and translating that feeling onto canvas.

Emily Keating Snyder:

New York–based contemporary artist Emily Keating Snyder has made a name for herself by blending the worlds of fine art and traditional craft. Her abstract paintings—textural, minimalist, and deeply intentional—feature embroidery threaded directly through the artist’s canvas. By bringing this historically women’s medium into the context of modern painting, Emily challenges conventions and invites a new kind of tactile appreciation.

Color is the heartbeat of her practice. Emily finds inspiration in the unexpected palettes found in nature—the soft clash of moss and coral, the shifting blues of the ocean, the golden light before sunset. But her work isn’t simply about capturing what she sees outdoors; it’s about creating an experience. Influenced by Eastern philosophies, Zen teachings, and color theory, Emily approaches her art as something to feel, not just observe.

“I want to make art that isn’t a depiction of something else,” she often explains, “but that is the thing itself.” The use of embroidery amplifies that idea. Rather than paint creating lines and shapes, it’s thread—a three-dimensional element that becomes an active part of the composition. Even the raw canvas isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, physical surface woven into the identity of the piece.

Emily’s thoughtful approach has caught the attention of major outlets like Anthropologie, Real Simple, Clever, Parachute Home, and designer Emily Henderson, each celebrating her ability to balance hard edges with soft fibers, and order with intuition. Her work exists where texture meets tranquility—where color, craft, and contemporary art find perfect harmony.

Aly Ytterberg:

St. Louis-based artist Aly Ytterberg creates hard-edge, color-block paintings that transform everyday landscapes into abstracted visual stories. Inspired by nature, rural scenery, and the memories tied to specific places, Aly finds beauty in the overlooked—the fields, structures, and fleeting moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed. Her work is both personal and universal, inviting each viewer to bring their own imagination and experiences to the scene.

Aly’s process begins with a photograph taken during a hike, road trip, or other adventure. From that image, she pulls out the essential colors and shapes, turning them into bold, simplified forms on gallery-wrapped canvas. Her paintings require a lot of tape, multiple layers of paint, and a careful, methodical approach, but the payoff is in the reveal—stepping back to see the landscape emerge through clean lines, vivid blocks of color, and layered textures.

Beyond the studio, Aly balances life as a mother-artist, caring for her 4-year-old son and twin two-year-olds while carving out time to paint during naptime. She has shown work in local and regional exhibitions and her pieces are included in collections across the United States, from galleries and homes to corporations and healthcare facilities. Through her art, Aly continues to explore the subtle intersections between place, memory, and perception, creating landscapes that resonate differently for everyone who sees them.

Joy Kinna:

For Joy, inspiration comes from the everyday—whether it’s a color, a memory, or an idea that’s been lingering in her mind. Living on the coast has also shaped her work, from the landscape and shifting hues to the serene feeling of being near the ocean. She aims to bring that same sense of peace and presence into her paintings, inviting viewers to slow down and experience a moment of calm through color and form.

Creativity has been part of Joy’s life since childhood. Growing up, she tried to keep up with her older brothers’ drawing skills and found herself happiest when using her hands. Abstract painting became her medium of choice at university, and she hasn’t looked back since. For her, making art is a way to process life—the curiosity, wonder, joy, and even pain—through hands-on exploration. The moments before and after mark-making, and the subtle shifts of observing the natural world, are central to her practice.

Joy’s work is an accumulation of feelings, memories, landscapes, and both subconscious and conscious thought. Colors and shapes emerge through a constant push and pull on the canvas, forming pieces that are deeply personal yet inviting for the viewer. She is especially passionate about the impact art can have within a space, believing that a well-placed work can be restful, meditative, and deeply fulfilling.

“Welcome opens our new gallery space with a fresh perspective on neutral palettes,” says Liz Lidgett, owner and curator of Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. “Featuring eight artists, the show proves that subtle tones can carry incredible depth, texture, and emotion. Through thoughtful exploration of textures and materials, their pieces command attention and occupy the center stage with undeniable visual presence.  These works remind us that neutrals don’t have to be boring—they can be nuanced, layered, and endlessly expressive.”

All are welcome — from collectors and curators to artists and design enthusiasts — to experience this debut exhibition and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for Liz Lidgett Gallery + Design. The exhibition features a lineup of talented artists, all united by their shared inspiration: neutral palettes.

View the show HERE with art from these 8 artists:



• Aly Ytterberg - St. Louis, Missouri
• Anna Flickinger - Des Moines, Iowa
• Bethany Mabee - Peoria, Illinois
• Emily Keating Snyder - New York, New York
• Joy Kinna - Vancouver, Canada
• Kristen Abbott - Boulder, Colorado
• Meghan Bustard - Vancouver, Canada
• Neicy Frey - Spokane, Washington