Anita Elder considers herself a contemporary realist, taking the colors and forms of nature and layering them on canvas or paper in hopes of capturing the enduring and breathtaking beauty she experienced when observing nature first hand. Her subject matter ranges from lakes, streams, mountain ranges and meadows, to the very center of one single bloom.

Recently, Anita has been concentrating her efforts on large 4-foot by 3-foot paintings depicting the delicate center of a flower. "I love the burst of color and preciseness that is displayed in the most intricate detail of the innermost recesses of a flower. As I go through the process of laying color upon color, seeing the petals and stamen slowly take shape, it’s as if I’m seeing this flower being recreated on the canvas right before me, the color revealing itself in its brilliance, the lines coming together in an object of perfection."

"I cannot pass a flower without pausing to look at it closely. Deep within is the most delicate and spectacular creation of this earth. Its seeing the signature of God and knowing his work has been completed. It is this feeling of "wonder" that I try to create in my paintings to invite one to pause and take a closer look, at something so small yet so perfect, at one of the most beautiful creations of God."

Anita uses overlaying of colors in both her oil and watercolor paintings to achieve rich color and form. This process allows her paintings to "grow" and take on a life of their own, developing detail at each stage, and eventually "blooming" on the painted surface. "The anticipation of seeing and feeling what I first saw and felt when looking at the original flower, that’s what keeps me at the easel everyday."

Anitas first artistic interest was country folk art on wood, which soon led to a serious interest in fine art painting. She studied in a series of art classes and private tutoring, gaining such expertise that she now conducts classes to a large following of students in her Dahlonega studio. Anita opened The Art Loft studio and gallery in 1992. After eight successful years she moved her studio from the Dahlonega square to her home so that she can devote more time to painting and teaching.

In addition to creating works of her own preference, she accepts commissions in both watercolor and oil.

Anita loves being a part of the North Georgia art scene, and makes a significant contribution to the growth and development of the arts in Dahlonega.

"The eye is made to wonder, just as the flower is made to bloom."         La Cardinellerie

Her works are in collections throughout the U.S. and Japan.  She also exhibits at the Burton Galleries at Lake Burton, Georgia and various other galleries in the Southeast.