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

Hi Lisa, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
My happiness sits on the end of a paintbrush. Every new painting is a deep breath. A new beginning to tell a story using color and creativity. Translating and provoking human emotions are the primary focuses of my artwork. I strive to reproduce the varied facets of feelings through my deep fascination with color and composition and the struggles that occur between them. Art has seen my through stress, isolation, joy and change, It has connected me to people to all over the world and has helped me to see life from different points of view. Without it, I would be lost. So any day that I spend time in the art studio or in the company of other artists is a happy day.

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’m not your stereotypical artist who works best during the night and who is dark and tortured. I wake up early and get started in the studio. I do my best to be creative every day even if only in a small way. I’m always working on multiple paintings at the same time in varying sizes. Some paintings are as small as four inches while others maybe four feet. People often ask me, how do I get inspired?. I am overly inspired, the world around me energizes my creativity. My problem is editing down to select subjects that reflect my artistic aesthetic. While some paintings can be in my studio for months, others sometimes are finished very quickly. For many artists, working alone is not easy and requires commitment. Also being critical of your own work is a difficult. It is definitely a challenge for me. I have certain trusted people I turn to review my work. My greatest joy is seeing the completion of a series of paintings after dedicating countless hours of work and frustration. I have come to realize that every artist no matter how talented needs to come out of their comfort zone to be successful. Now that I have an online art presence, I see this to be even more true. Whether I’m in the mood or not, I have to spend time behind the computer daily. I am scanning and uploading new paintings but also creating content (usually funny) for my social media outlets. The reality for any working artist is diversification. If you want to make an income as a artist, it’s not always enough to rely on gallery exhibits and freelance clients. Luckily, as the world has changed, the opportunities for artists to make money from their creativity have also expanded. There are many different ways to monetize your art in order to achieve both creative and financial strides. But like any other pursuit, it takes time and consistency to see the rewards of your efforts. I’ve learned to post on social media once a day, to promote my artwork , to each out to other artists, explore online art opportunities and to be myself. Your art fans and followers want to join your artistic journey so take them in a genuine way that’s true to you. I have dedicated my life and career to the arts and I have no regrets. I gave into my passion and followed the artistic path that was calling me,

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Phoenix has the perfect balance of outdoor and indoor experiences that trigger inspiration and joy. I always start at the Phoenix Art Museum and then the Heard Museum. The the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden are always a must. The Musical Instrument Museum and the Children’s Museum of Phoenix are a lot of fun for children and adults. Barbecue is Phoenix is top notch especially at Little Miss BBQ, Naked BBQ and JL Smokehouse.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To do things over when a mistake has been made. To say I love you. To paint, to draw, to laugh, to try. To shine light where it’s dark. My father taught me these life lessons and I still rely on them today. He went out of his way to encourage me to be the best me possible and not to let fear stand in the way. Today he is fighting his own battle and through his struggle, he is still teaching me life lessons. I thank him for believing in me when I had lost all hope. Every day of my life is dedicated to making him proud.

Website: www.lisadamico.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisadamicoartist/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisadamicoartist/

Image Credits
All photos by Lisa D’Amico.