Elizabeth Glascott Vawdrey was born in Redruth, one of three daughters. Her father, George Vawdrey, was a surgeon with a practice in Hayle.

She studied at Plymouth School of Art, South Kensington, Heatherleys, and in Paris. Her exhibiting addresses were Paignton (1902), Falmouth (1903) and London (1905). By the time of the 1910 Inland Revenue Survey, she was resident in Polperro, and remained there until at least 1935.

Her depictions of cathedrals from her extensive travels were some of her most highly regarded work, and by the time of her death, she was well-respected.