Elizabeth Hunter was born in Bristol and studied at the West of England Academy under Paul Feiler, Robert Hurdle and George Sweet.

After distinguished post-graduate studies at the Slade (where she won the major Drawing Prize) and University College, London, Elizabeth moved to Cornwall and lived in St Ives during the late 50s and early 60s. She was elected to membership of the Penwith and Newlyn Societies and showed widely in the Penwith area and West Country.

Elizabeth curated the Newlyn Art Gallery for two years from 1964, and from 1984-2001, she worked as a lecturer in Life Drawing and Painting at the School of Art & Design, Queen's Road, Bristol. At the beginning of 2003 a longing to get back to her creative roots prompted her return to Cornwall.

Elizabeth has had a number of solo shows at various venues including the Art Garden and River Station, Bristol, Badcocks Gallery, Newlyn and Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol.