About Maine Artist, Liza Russell

Skizafiber’s Liza Russell is a Maine artist working primarily in paper collage.

After many years working in pastels and portraiture—never on anything smaller than 18” x 24”—I unexpectedly discovered the joy of collage. Around the same time, I was asked to create a series of large (5” x 8”) animal-themed place cards for a banquet. Twenty cards in (with 110 more to go!), I quickly realized I needed to rethink my process.

That shift led me to draw from other creative practices I’ve loved over the years, like sewing and quilt piecing—techniques surprisingly well-suited to paper collage. I began working with paper the way I once worked with fabric, layering, cutting, and composing with precision and care.

My commitment to recycling, repurposing, and reusing materials became a central part of my work. I use old magazines, calendars, greeting cards, newspaper clippings, wrapping paper scraps, and even scanned photos. Occasionally, I supplement with cardstock to achieve the desired effect. This blend of sustainability and creativity became the foundation of what I now call SkizaFibers.

Today, my work can be found at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, ME. I’ve also been juried into the River Roads Artisan Gallery in Skowhegan, ME for the past two years, as well as the WTVL Creates Holiday Bazaar and their new MADE juried show. I continue to accept commissioned work, creating personalized paper collage portraits of wildlife, pets, and other cherished subjects.

Where To Buy My Work