Meet Lisa Love | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Love and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, how does your business help the community?
Through my intention as an artist, art has the ability to shift the energy in a room. It makes for a happier more joyful environment to thrive in. Art communicates without words. It can draw you in, make you think, and serve to inspire. Art brightens our community and our world.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I spent decades as a designer and creative director where everything needed to be precise and every detail examined with a critical eye. No longer. I put judgment aside. I enjoy the freedom and the flow the acrylic paint creates. Layers build upon layers, color over color, things change and patterns shift on the raw canvas. I work on a large scale to create abstract paintings that are inspired by nature. Typically, once the painting is complete I cut it into pieces, nearly destroying it, and reimagine it into another form. Like the mythological Phoenix rising from the ashes.

I am most proud of my perseverance.

Years ago, I decided I wanted to be a professional artist, doing fine art on a full time basis. How could I make that happen? I turned over every rock, talked to everyone I could think of and knocked on every door. At the time I was a single mom with two girls to raise. During that time period I was working in the advertising and graphic design world. I decided to stick to my experience as a creative director in order to provide for my family. I worked on art whenever I could. I explored different mediums such as; photography, glass blowing, found art, painting, and sculpture in order to find my niche. I approached galleries and museums, entered art competitions, and pitched venues for solo exhibitions. I used my advertising experience to promote my artwork. I stayed the course. I am now working as a full time contemporary artist.

Perseverance is the key to my success. Never give up, success is right around the corner waiting for you.

A lesson I learned along the way is that risk is an adventure.

Taking risks in both my life and career has always propelled me forward. Facing ones fears and making choices is what it’s all about. There are so many wonderful experiences that unfold; be it through a personal growth opportunity, meeting new people, exploring new techniques, or starting an exciting new chapter in life.

Risk moves you into unknown territory. Trust in yourself and others is key. Most importantly, enjoy the ride!

Another lesson learned is that work life balance is essential.

Balance changes over time and the circumstances. When I was first starting a business, finding a work-life balance was a challenge as I worked to build my business. Then add to that starting a family. I found that getting up early before everyone else worked for me. The “me-time” in the morning hours brought me a sense of calm. It also brought new ideas and solutions to the forefront. I was able to make clear decisions and start the day off on the right foot. As work got more stressful I made time to have lunch in a park. I’d go back to the office refreshed and ready to hit the afternoon. In addition, setting boundaries for my work hours proved to be valuable for a work-life balance.

I believe that balance is one of the most important things in maintaining one’s health and well-being. By setting aside “me-time” it allowed for the “best me” to show up at work and at home.

Finally, being in the moment brings on happiness.

It’s the little things that make me happy; morning coffee with my husband, hearing my daughters laugh, seeing children playing without a care in the world, watching the clouds shift, the smell of creosote during the summer monsoons, hearing the birds sing, seeing the desert blooms, and blowing bubbles like you did as a kid (let’s not forget about that).

Intuition serves as the guide in my artistic self expression, always pushing the creation forward into the unknown. I am influenced by the complexity of being human. Every moment, every experience, adds to the depth and richness of who we are as individuals and collectively. Thoughts, beliefs and experiences color our world. The world we chose to live in. We all possess the ability to change. Transformation is at the heart of my art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many things to do in Tucson, Arizona! Here is a little itinerary of a few of my favorite things to do for a week long trip to Tucson.

Day 1:
Take the tram up Sabino Canyon
Stop for a picnic at one of the many pools and cascades
Do a little shopping at La Encantada
Have dinner and drinks at North Italia

Day 2:
Visit the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block
Stop in at the historic Hotel Congress
Stroll down 4th Avenue for a bit of shopping
Enjoy dinner at Maynards

Day 3:
Drive up to Mount Lemmon for a easy hike
Afterwards have lunch at Poco & Moms Cantina
Rest and relaxation for the evening

Day 4:
See the scenic views at Saguaro National Park
Tour the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Enjoy a casual bite to eat at Seis Kitchen
Watch the sunset at Sentinel Peak (locally known as A-Mountain)

Day 5:
Stroll through the Mercado San Agustin
Walk to the shipping container shops at MSA Annex
End with dinner at the Agustin Kitchen

Day 6:
Visit the San Xavier del Bac Mission
Lunch at the Five Points Market & Restaurant
Catch a movie at The Loft Cinema

Day 7:
Hiking at the Catalina State Park
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the trails
Finish with cocktails and dinner at Wildflower

Wow! That was a fun week!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my husband who is a constant support in all that I do, to my daughters, and to all those who offered encouragement on this amazing adventure! A heartfelt thank you.

Website: https://www.lisa-love.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistlisalove/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisalovecreative/