Art is my fourth career. I have had no academic training in art and began to experiment with colored pencil in 1995 almost by accident. I was living in Alexandria, Virginia and working in Washington, D. C. Friends from Arizona visited me there and, as a thank you, sent me a small set of Prismacolor colored pencils. I had no idea what to do with them and didn’t bother to sharpen them. About three months later I visited my guests in their Phoenix home and asked their artist son to show me how pencils were used. Leaning over the kitchen table, he quickly showed me layering and blending techniques. As soon as I returned home I sharpened the pencils and began.

My earliest experiments were well received by co-workers and friends. I found drawing, for even a few minutes, at the end of the workday to be calming and relaxing. Concerned that I might be practicing mistakes, I made several attempts to have my work evaluated with the goal to find a place where I could learn solid techniques. That was harder than one could imagine. By chance I found the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia, an art center for all types of artists. I had not known it existed until I was on its doorstep. A ceramist directed me to the second floor art school. Within minutes, I was enrolled and on my way to a great adventure.

I had the very good fortune to be taught by Pat Barron, the undisputed leader of colored pencil education in the metropolitan area of Washington, D. C. Going to class on Thursday nights was like going on vacation. The friends I made in class will be friends forever.

During this part of my life I was a Commissioner of the Federal Election Commission. I had been appointed initially by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by the Senate of the United States for a six-year term in 1981 and reappointed in 1987. In 1993, President William Clinton appointed me to a third term. During my 18 years at the Commission I served as Chairman three years and Vice Chairman three years.

Prior to my presidential appointment, for a two-year period I was Vice President of Bishop Bryant, a political consulting firm.

For 18 years before that I was the Associate Executive Director of the American Medical Political Action Committee. Known as “Mrs. AMPAC” I encouraged the development of and compliance of close to 300 political action committees. I traveled extensively and have given several talks in every state in the United States. This opportunity grew out of years of work for the American Medical Association in the areas of legislation and economics.

I am a graduate of the University of Illinois. I am a certified association executive, an author, lecturer, and patent holder.

The REAL Lee Ann Elliott is a mother and grandmother. You cannot know me more than 10 minutes without hearing that I have a terrific son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. I respect my son for his honesty, kindness, and generosity. My goal is to grow up to be just like him.

My guiding principle is that I am on earth to be of help to others.

Since moving to Arizona I served for ten years as a member of the Executive Committee of Kids Voting USA. I was appointed by two governors and confirmed by the state senate as a member of the Arizona Board of Appraisal. I also served as president of the Arizona chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America, on the founding Board of the Amblyopia Foundation, and as a Trustee of the Scottsdale Artists' School. I am a senior fellow of the Goldwater Institute.