When the distinguished art critic Meyer Schapiro said that Elizabeth Bishop "writes poems with a painter's eye," Bishop was "very flattered: I'd love to be a painter." The fact is—though not many knew it—she painted throughout her life, as this handsome book, reproducing in full color forty of her works, demonstrates. The paintings were tracked down, identified, and collected by the poet and art writer William Benton, who arranged the first exhibit of Bishop's artwork (twenty-seven pieces) in January 1993 at the East Martello Tower Museum as part of the Key West Literary Seminar on Bishop's writing.
Probably the best-known paintings are the three or four that decorated the dust jackets of earlier editions of her books, but most of her artwork has never been reproduced. Some, likeE. Bishop's Patented Slot-Machine, come as a total surprise.
William Benton gives the provenance, dimensions, and (where possible) the date of each work. In the second half of the book, he also cites many painterly passages from Bishop's writing. Typically, after admitting that occasionally she painted "a small gouache or watercolor," Bishop asserted: "They are Not Art—NOT AT ALL." William Benton concludes, "They are, though." In paperback for the first time since its publication, this edition ofExchanging Hats is sure to generate a renewed appreciation for this multi-talented artist.

Elizabeth Bishop is the creator of The Conscious Service Approach™, a research-based set of principles designed to enhance both the experience of service providers and the quality of service they offer.

Bishop’s professional background includes more than forty years in human service. Her experience ranges from facility- to community-based services and from direct service provision to management and leadership responsibilities. She has specialized in developmental services, brain injury rehabilitation, and mental health programs. She has taught at the post-secondary level for more than twenty-five years, including within formal academic programs, continuing education, and professional development training.

As the founder of Elizabeth Bishop Consulting, she facilitates an ongoing discussion about what it means to be of service through her regular blogs, social media presence, workshops, and online courses.

Elizabeth Bishop's profile page

William Benton's profile page

“The great poet Elizabeth Bishop painted charming miniatures throughout her life.” —The New York Times