Styled with a Smile - Page 2

"A lot of the themes in my work, or the colors in my work, are very similar to the digital work," Lisa says of her fine art.

Stephanie describes Lisa as a consummate professional whose energetic art flows from her energetic personality—a woman widely known in the Portland art scene, friends with many, admired by younger artists as a celebrity, often sought for career advice.

"Her visuals are very distinctive. It definitely inspires joy," Stephanie says, adding that Lisa's art uses personal symbols drawn from her life.

Illustrating how seriously Lisa takes both her art and her relations with fans, Stephanie describes a 2020 exhibit, "'Form, Folk, Flora, Fauna,' four things she loves that she always incorporates into her work. It was a celebration of all these elements."

The work was especially personal, Stephanie says, because Lisa created it at home, unwilling to go to her studio during the early pandemic. They were smaller pieces than usual, and for the first time Lisa included quilts in a show, a new process for her.

Because of the pandemic, the gallery held no opening party, and visitors had to schedule appointments.

"She came to all the gallery appointments," Stephanie says, "and made sure she met every single person, and talked to them about the work."

Besides creating art, Lisa teaches art—but "only one day a week," she says—illustrates books for other authors, creates her own children's books, and has a popular podcast about creative living.

Plus, she runs a foundation that she says "grants money and mentoring to artists from marginalized communities."

Considering her success—she calls her operation "kind of a ship that sails itself," while adding "that's not to say that I don't need to make an effort and that my employees don't need to make an effort"—it's surprising she didn't even think of becoming an artist till her early 30s.

"I wonder about that, too," Lisa says.

Even more surprising, though, given her late entry, is how much she enjoys everything about art making.

"I am an avid cyclist, and I love being outside, and I love being with my partner and my friends. All of those things are also very satisfying and engaging to me," Lisa says. "But the creative process, hands down for me, it lights me up in a way I can't describe."