We recently connected with Lisa Skyheart Marshall and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa Skyheart, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The process of me and learning about art-making started when I was very young. Me and a pencil and drawing paper, always drawing. Encouraging parents, especially my father who provided pretty good materials to me.
Later, I did attend art courses at the nearby community college, and had very good teachers there who I learned so much from. I was so intent on learning too, although I did not earn a degree.
Why? I had chosen to stay home to care for my three children. Through the years I have worked and worked and worked at making art, and my art has taken on many forms in many mediums.
Sometimes I think if I had attended more art school I may have arrived where I am today, but then I realize that I learned so much in the many hours spent making art.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a botanical artist working in watercolor and ink on a board with a thin coat of clay on the surface that is slightly textured. My work is very detailed and meticulous but not stodgy. I make intense color by adding many layers, and I draw and design the artwork before I begin to paint.
My style is contemporary botanical and I include birds and insects and sometimes human-made elements such as a drinks umbrella or candy or other fun little inclusions.
An important element in my work is that time I spend making it carefully. It can be a meditative experience, and not rushing through it allows me to add things as I go along. Sometimes mid-painting I see something that inspires me and I’ll add that. One time I saw a small pink moth on our house and of course that went into the work.
I spend a lot of time in nature observing the details and being quiet to facilitate birds or lizards or other creatures coming closer to me. I feel I have to have these personal encounters with the flowers and plants, birds and insects to be authentic in my paintings. Then I go to my studio and begin to work.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, there are two aspects of being an artist that I find rewarding.
The first is the actual daily act of creating a painting from an experience I’ve had out in the natural world or in gardens. Handling the materials from the graphite pencil, to choosing and mixing colors and then the meticulous adding of details with my ink pen is absolute heaven for me.
Secondly, a huge reward is when people take time to really see my paintings, when they take it all in.
Sometimes they just have to have that piece in their own home because of the way it makes them feel or because they associate a flower or plant with their own life story.
Those two experiences are so rewarding for me.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
People can support creatives by valuing the importance of art and artmakers in society. Some might not see how art contributes their day to day lives but consider this:
What if you felt like you could enter a gallery or an artist studio and look at art without feeling out of place or pressured to buy? You can do this, and it will enrich your being.
Most artists welcome discussion about their work and love to see what people think about this precious work they produce.
Not everyone is able to buy an original work of art but you are certainly welcome to look at it! It’s valuable to discover what style of work you like to see as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.https://skyheartart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyheartart
Image Credits
Lisa Skyheart Marshall, photo of me
Image Source, Ventura California, all artwork images