Artist Statement

My art is a collection of images guided by the wonderfully paradoxical circumstances that shaped me in my childhood years, for which I am forever grateful.

Growing up in a rural area shaped my young life. In my childhood, I loved the visits to a local penny candy store after attending Sunday mass. I also enjoyed weekly visits to see Mary, the bartender who gave me candy and a Shirley Temple while I sat on my beloved intoxicated grandfather’s lap at age 5.

In my paintings, I liken my method of painting to the way dreams work. I think of my canvas as a stage where anything can happen as I paint thoughts, memories, and emotions into images that are often guarded by a makeshift army of colorful plastic or candy, or by an important figure from my past. My process is iterative thus there may be multiple versions of a subject painted, partially drawn, or repainted. I hope for viewers to consume my work as one might approach a buffet line, not consuming everything but rather picking and choosing what might appeal to the eye, and possibly trying the dreaded pickled pink egg just for grins or at least wondering who would do such a thing to a perfectly fine egg.

I feel as though consumption of anything from the food we eat to the people we listen to shapes us, gives us mental boundaries, and my work at its essence is constantly questioning how we are shaped by others, whether we are the consumers or whether we are being consumed. I paint in a place that is free where I can take what I have consumed and sew a new cloak to wear that allows my thoughts to be pragmatic yet open to dreaming and finding a new shape.

I invite others on a journey of bewilderment and magic with me where ordinary things become shrines, and shrines become ordinary.

Biography

Lisa is a nationally and international artist and Teacher for the Compass Atelier in Rockville Maryland with studios in Laytonsville Maryland and Central City Pennsylvania. She currently teaches painting classes at The Compass Atelier in Rockville Maryland. Lisa taught art for over 20 years; Drawing & Painting, Studio Art for Norfolk Public Schools, Elementary Art in Chesterfield County Schools Virginia, Elementary and Middle School Art for North Pocono School District, PA. Lisa received her B.S. in Art Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of the Master Artist Program at The Compass Atelier where she currently teaches painting. She has studied with Steven Assael, Alyssa Monks, Duane Keiser, Cindy Procious, Glen Kessler. Lisa has attained many painting awards for her narrative contemporary paintings including Artist Choice 2020 Foundry Gallery D.C.

Showings: Strathmore Mansion, Rockville MD.ShockBox Gallery, Hermosa Beach CA  Glenview Mansion, Rockville MD,  Foundry Gallery D.C.  Tryst Gallery Leesburg, VA, Pigeon Hill Studios Bedford, PA  Artist and Makers Gallery, Rockville MD Kensington Labor Day Art Show, Kensington, Maryland, Bedford Artist Walk

Organizations: Rockville Art League, Montgomery Art Association, Southern Allegheny Museum of Art Associate Member Whitney Museum of American Art Member Chrysler Museum of Art Associate Member