We recently connected with Lisa Wommack and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?
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?
I am completely self-taught. It’s probably more accurate to say that I’m a dedicated student of art, as I hope I never decide I’ve covered everything there is to learn. I was fortunate to have found so many artists on YouTube when I first started who were very generous with how-to videos and free workshops for new artists. I still follow many of them on Instagram, YouTube, and through newsletters. I am also part of an online community that has provided some
incredibly valuable and detailed art business and marketing instruction. I’ve met some artist friends here in the U.S. through that group who are so encouraging and supportive of each other.
I’m not sure if there is really anything I could’ve done to accelerate my learning. No matter how you receive your information, there is still an aspect of having to do it to learn and improve it. Maybe I would have saved some money on products that weren’t worth buying or I would have become more knowledgeable about different brands of paints or tools, but they were impactful lessons that I’ll remember. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved so far, particularly because some of the accidents turned out to be among my favorite techniques.
Learning to tune out my logical brain and lean into the intuitive side has been my most valuable acquired skill in relation to painting. Through trial and error, I learned what helps get me into the flow. Listening to music or podcasts keeps me from overthinking and allows me to just paint. I don’t know that anything prevented me from learning more, but my impatience to know and do everything “yesterday” probably led to some frustration or missteps. However, it also helped me to not wait until I had a portfolio of 30+ paintings to respond to artist calls or approach designers or galleries. It prompted me to overcome my innate perfectionism. If not for that, I still wouldn’t show anything I painted!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My background was definitely not art. I was an IT consultant managing domestic and international software implementations before I retired. A few years ago, we downsized from a house that had so many windows that there was little room for art. Because our home sold in less than 24 hours and the buyers had to close within 30 days, we sold virtually everything and kept only things that were hard to replace. After traveling for a couple of years, we moved into a house with more walls than windows, and we had virtually nothing to fill them. I decided to paint my own art to fill the empty spaces. Little did I know that meant more than adding color and interest to bare walls.
I create paintings inspired by nature and travel. My style could be described as abstract or abstract impressionism. I favor bright, saturated colors using acrylic applied primarily on large canvases. Pink is one of my favorite colors and I love to incorporate it in every painting, though it isn’t always the star of the show. Sometimes it is just a bright pop among darker tones and, at other times, a soft wash of color. My art has been described as colorful, joyful, and uplifting.
What I offer my clients is a visual respite from the strife and division in the world. My work is meant to transport the viewer to a happy place, to make their space somewhere they can’t wait to get back to. I hope it makes them feel at peace or smile in delight. I want my art to resonate personally with the people who experience it, coming alive in a way that touches their souls. Whether it is the colors, shapes, movement, or texture, my fondest wish is that it communicates all the joy and positive energy I feel when I’m making each painting.
I’m probably most proud that I’ve reached the point of being ok with simply being me. I’ve found that it is hard to be authentic if you never let people see that you are a work in progress. I’ve learned to let myself be more vulnerable and accepted that perfection is only an illusion. It makes me so happy that I can admire other artists of all genres and not feel like I have to compare my work to theirs. We all have different styles, perspectives, and experiences. There is room for everyone, and we are all at different stages of our journeys.
What I hope people remember is that we have so many more things in common than what separates us. Art gives us a safe space where conversations can start among people who may otherwise have never had the opportunity to do so. When I started painting, it occurred to me that when people talk about or admire art, there is an instant feeling of community. It’s not that we all like the same things, have similar backgrounds, or even speak the same language. What matters is that we can immerse ourselves and share in the experience despite those differences. Coming to that realization is when I knew I wanted to share my work with others. My hope is that my art provides a common ground free from differentiation, exclusion, or prejudice, where everyone feels seen and valued. I want them to feel comfortable experiencing whatever feelings the paintings bring up for them.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I realized that the structure and rigor that made me successful in my career doesn’t work for me in this phase of my life. Meeting software development and implementation timelines requires constantly anticipating potential roadblocks, tracking progress against expected milestones, and clear communication, particularly when there are multiple teams and moving parts involved. However, in creating a painting, I don’t start with a problem statement or end goal. In fact, I specifically try not to anticipate the end product, and I try not to specify a timeline. I also work alone in my studio. For me, it has to be fluid and authentic to what I’m feeling when I create it. That only happens when I completely disconnect and follow my intuition.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
By far it’s the people I meet. I get so inspired when speaking to other artists and collectors. It’s nice to be able to create something you feel proud of, but getting feedback helps fuel me to keep working. One of the best things I’ve been told is, “I see a lot of paintings I’d like to have but when I saw yours, I knew I HAD to have it!” That comment just made my heart sing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisawommackfineart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawommackfineart/
