Elizabeth Schrum

I’m an oil painter based in Kansas, focused on the ethnographic art of Tuvan throat singers and on commissioned portraits. My work also features eclectic subjects such as animals, flowers etc. I paint with the intention of revealing inner spirit—through color, gesture, and a deep respect for nature’s voice. I am inspired by a history of artists in my ancestors - seamstresses, carpenters, painters, & creatives.

My Story

I am an oil painter from Kansas, inspired by strength, spirit, and a connection to nature. My work focuses on Tuvan throat singers, women, and wildlife—subjects that resonate with power and presence. Tuvan throat singing deeply influences how I approach painting. Just as the singers are able to break apart a single note to reveal overtones and undertones, I try to pull apart my subjects to reveal color and light and uncover what gives them their essence.

I’m drawn to painting women through a female gaze—strong and grounded. I want my figures to carry weight and agency, to feel seen not as objects but as forces. I also paint wildlife with the same reverence, reflecting the Tuvan connection to nature.

Through my art, I aim to pull apart the seemingly ordinary and expose the energy beneath it. Whether I’m painting a throat singer mid-song or an animal mid-step, I want the viewer to feel the hum beneath the surface.

Select Paintings and Sketches

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