“Colin,” a portrait of her uncle, is one of the favorite paintings that Liz Vaughn has created. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – When Liz Vaughn is away from teaching art at James Clemens High School, she likely will be working on her latest portrait works with Liz Vaughn Painting.

Vaughn perhaps inherited her interest and aptitude in art. “My mother is Robin Lakso, the head art teacher at Bob Jones High School,” Vaughn said. “Visual art runs in the family.”

After her start in painting in acrylics, Vaughn now primarily creates individuals’ portraits in oil. “I am happy to do pets, as well. Eventually, I would like to teach single-session painting classes,” she said.

Her favorite paintings are “Alex,” a portrait of her husband “with a modern take on a baroque background,” and “Colin,” a portrait of her uncle, Vaughn said.

During one her painting sessions, a typical piece that measures about 12 inches by 18 inches will require approximately “12 hours to complete to my full satisfaction. Pieces with multiple people are the most demanding,” she said.

The first public showing of her art was at Rocket City Pride 2015. Vaughn plans to show and sell her work and take commissions at the Art Walk on Aug. 28 on the square in downtown Huntsville. “I am most successful selling prints of past works,” she said.

“My family moved to Madison in 1999, but I returned as an adult in 2011 to be a high school art teacher in Madison City Schools,” Vaughn said. “I started at Bob Jones High School, but I moved to James Clemens when we opened.”

Her husband Alex works as a statistician at BBVA Compass and plays guitar at local venues. They have one son, Magnus, who is 18 months old.

To learn more about Vaughn’s art, call 256-426-7040, email elizabethlakso@gmail.com or visit elizabethlakso.wix.com/lizvaughn.