Educated at Belfast Royal Academy, Elizabeth McEwen studied at Belfast College of Art from 1956 to 1960. She passed the College Diploma in Printed Textiles and Bookbinding with distinction, and obtained the National Diploma in Design.

She taught in Belfast for 13 years and since 1974 has painted full-time. She is a member of the Ulster Society of Women artists, a Committee Member and a Diploma holder since 1980. She is also a member of the Ulster Watercolour Society and since 1987 of the Society of Botanical Artists. She was awarded the RUA Gold Medal at the annual exhibition, 1991.